You’ve been working on your golf swing for a while and you finally take your game to the course. You’re playing with your family or friends and in the corner of your eye, you see a group behind you, watching and waiting for you to hit.
You realize then that you might be holding up the group behind you. You’re not playing fast enough because you’re not good enough. You start to play fast as a result. You can’t focus on your swing, rhythm, the routine that you set and found. Others in your group say to take your time but you’re stressed as the distance between you and the group behind you doesn’t get any wider. You don’t end your round the way you had envisioned.
Sound familiar?
Golf can be stressful and intimidating. When you have people watching you or waiting for you to hurry on, it’s not comforting.
For Jennifer Stillwell, a beginner golfer from Colorado, that experience inspired a different approach to golf—one designed to make the game more welcoming and accessible for women, beginners and golfers of every skill level.
I always felt the pressure of somebody coming up behind you and you had to pick up your ball. And we found that a lot of people were intimidated by the golf course. We really just wanted to bring golf to people and take that intimidation away. And that’s how we came up with this.
This is the story behind Golf Haus, an indoor golf simulator facility in Denver, Colorado.
Golf Haus At a Glance
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- Simulators: 5 GOLFZON TwoVision systems
- Facility: Indoor golf facility
- Hours: Open 7 days a week until 10–11 p.m.
- Customers: Beginners, intermediate and advanced golfers
- Activities: Golf simulator play, leagues, tournaments, Ladies’ Night, corporate outings and school events
- Technology: Moving hitting surface, multi-surface mat, high-speed cameras, auto-tee and Network Play
Golf Haus: An Indoor Golf Facility Built for Every Skill Level
Five GOLFZON TwoVision simulators sit inside Golf Haus, which Jennifer and her husband, Mark Stillwell, designed to give the facility the feel of a vintage country club. Alongside high-end indoor golf simulator technology, the facility is open seven days a week until 10 or 11 p.m. Customers can also enjoy old items, designs and posters from the 1960s.
But the most important aspect of Golf Haus is that it’s an intimidation-free zone.
I think people are less intimidated to try this because it’s a third of the cost of going out on an actual golf course and you don’t have the people behind you pushing up.
What problem was Golf Haus trying to solve with golf simulators?
For the Stillwells, the goal wasn’t simply to add another way to play golf. They wanted to create a place where people could learn, practice and enjoy golf without the pressure and intimidation that can come with playing on a traditional golf course.
The indoor golf environment allows beginners to take their time while giving experienced golfers the technology and realism they expect.
That balance became central to the Golf Haus experience.
From Beginner Golfer to Golf Business Owner
Unlike Jennifer, Mark is an experienced golfer—a former pro, in fact. So when his wife picked up golf, he found himself playing the instructor role while rekindling his love for the game.
After working in the oil and gas industry for 12 years, the couple decided to venture into a new business.
It really ignited that passion in my heart for the game again and for helping people improve the game. And we just one day thought, what if we could have a place that is not intimidating where people can come and have fun and enjoy the game at any skill level, professional to beginner? And so that’s what we’ve created here.
We’re really proud of that fact we do get a lot of beginners and we get a lot of really good golfers... I think that’s where GOLFZON’s simulator technology sets itself apart. And I think we’ve done a good job of reaching that goal.
Why Golf Haus Chose GOLFZON TwoVision
For a business serving both beginners and experienced golfers, the Stillwells wanted a golf simulator that could accommodate different skill levels without compromising the experience for either group.
They researched golf simulator brands before making their decision.
We researched every single golf brand out there and there was more that I liked about GOLFZON. I as a beginner could play my game and Mark as a really good golfer could play his game and we could both have fun.
For Jennifer and Mark, several features stood out, including the moving swing plate, different playing surfaces and auto-tee technology.
The technology with the swing plate moving, different roughs and bunkers, the auto-tee was really important.
Jennifer also noticed a difference in shot detection when testing other simulator brands.
We played other ones where you have to go get the ball after you hit. Also, I don’t always hit a good shot and even if I hit a really bad shot, for better or worse, GOLFZON picks up every single shot and other technology doesn’t. That was frustrating when we tried other simulator brands.
What Makes GOLFZON TwoVision a Fit for a Commercial Golf Facility?
As a commercial golf simulator, TwoVision is designed to deliver an immersive indoor golf experience while supporting the needs of a busy facility.
GOLFZON creates immersive and realistic indoor golf experiences for players of all skill levels. TwoVision features a moving dual plate with a multi-surface hitting mat that can move in 24 different positions.
High-speed cameras capture 400 frames per second at the moment of impact, allowing users to see shots on the screen instantaneously while also receiving immediate feedback on their ball flight.
Auto-tee technology helps users avoid bending down to reset the tee while also helping maintain the pace of play—a useful feature for commercial golf simulator operators like the Stillwells.
Mark says the immediate feedback was one of the features that stood out to him.
I like the camera based at the point of impact because there’s no lag on the screen so it’s more immediate feedback. So you feel like you’re really playing instead of waiting for the technology to catch up to your shot.
Is TwoVision suitable for both beginners and experienced golfers?
According to the Stillwells, yes. One of the reasons they selected GOLFZON was its ability to provide an enjoyable experience for both Jennifer, as a beginner golfer, and Mark, as an experienced golfer.
That versatility is also reflected in the Golf Haus customer base, which includes beginner, intermediate and advanced golfers.
Network Play Brings Competitive Golf to Golf Haus
TwoVision also features Network Play technology, allowing users to compete against other players regardless of where they are located in the world.
Golf Haus uses Network Play to host leagues and tournaments and is also a GOLFZON Tour host.
For a commercial indoor golf facility, multiplayer and competitive features can create additional ways for customers to engage with the simulator beyond individual practice.
Building a Golf Business Around Community
There was some hesitation starting the indoor golf business for Mark and Jennifer.
Mark had been in the oil and gas industry in finance and accounting for a dozen years prior to starting Golf Haus. Jennifer was a paralegal for 20 years and also worked in the mortgage industry for four years.
But the two had developed a great relationship and support from the local community and took a chance.
“It was always about people so that aspect was the same,” Jennifer said. “It’s a huge change from sitting at a desk and now pouring beers, mixing drinks, setting people up on the simulators. The biggest adjustment was that there is no set schedule. I have to make myself do things during certain times because it can be busy sometimes, but also sometimes not. You get pulled into a lot of different directions.”
There’s always the fear of it’s not going to work, people aren’t going to like it. But I always try to move past that and think positively. I love this. I love meeting new people. Everyone that we’ve met here absolutely loves it. So I try to put the fear in a box and not let it out.
How Golf Haus Uses Indoor Golf to Attract and Retain Customers
Golf Haus has become a safe space for all levels of golfers, but especially beginners.
The welcoming environment created by the owners includes events like Ladies’ Night every month, giving golfers another opportunity to improve their game and take some of the intimidation out of golf.
Golf Haus also hosts leagues and tournaments through Network Play and provides opportunities for corporate and school private group outings.
The result is an indoor golf environment where customers can return to practice, play and become part of the Golf Haus community.
I know that people really enjoy the simulators and being at Golf Haus and we have a lot of people that come back again and play again. I feel like that’s a big testament to beginner golfers, intermediate golfers, advanced golfers all seeming to really like it.
What Should Other Golf Business Owners Consider When Choosing a Simulator?
The Stillwells’ experience highlights several factors for golf businesses considering an investment in commercial golf simulators:
- Versatility: A simulator should provide an engaging experience for golfers across skill levels.
- Realism: Features such as a moving hitting surface, multiple lies and realistic course play can make indoor golf feel more immersive.
- Ease of use: Features such as auto-tee technology can make the experience easier for customers and operators.
- Immediate feedback: High-speed camera technology can provide fast feedback after each shot.
- Entertainment and competition: Network Play can support leagues, tournaments and multiplayer experiences.
- Community: Events and group experiences can help turn a simulator facility into a destination where customers return regularly.
The Stillwells’ research process was also an important part of their decision. Before opening Golf Haus, they tested different simulator brands and considered how each system would perform for both beginners and experienced golfers.
Their experience suggests that choosing a simulator for a commercial facility isn’t just about the technology itself. It’s also about whether the system can support the type of customer experience the business wants to create.
Golf Haus Customer Spotlight: An Indoor Golf Experience for Everyone
With five TwoVision simulators and GOLFZON indoor golf simulator technology, Golf Haus has created a place where golfers can play without worrying about the group behind them.
Beginners can learn and build confidence. Experienced golfers can practice and compete. Families, groups, schools and businesses can come together for a different kind of golf experience.
For Jennifer and Mark, that was the vision from the beginning: create a place where anyone can enjoy the game.
It’s been an adventure and we absolutely love it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Haus and Commercial Golf Simulators
What problem did Golf Haus solve by adding golf simulators?
Golf Haus was created to reduce the intimidation that some golfers—especially beginners—feel on traditional golf courses. The Stillwells wanted to create an environment where golfers could play, practice and improve without feeling pressured by groups waiting behind them.
Why did Golf Haus choose GOLFZON TwoVision?
The Stillwells researched multiple golf simulator brands and selected GOLFZON because TwoVision could provide an enjoyable experience for both beginner and experienced golfers. They specifically highlighted the moving swing plate, different roughs and bunkers, auto-tee technology, and shot detection.
What makes a golf simulator suitable for commercial use?
For a commercial facility, features such as durability, ease of use, realistic play, immediate feedback, multiplayer capabilities and operator-friendly technology can all be important considerations. Golf Haus uses five TwoVision simulators and operates seven days a week.
How does Golf Haus use its golf simulators beyond individual practice?
Golf Haus uses its simulators for leagues and tournaments through GOLFZON Network Play. The facility also hosts Ladies’ Night events, corporate outings and school group outings.
Is Golf Haus designed for beginner golfers?
Yes. Creating an intimidation-free environment for beginners is a central part of the Golf Haus concept. The facility also attracts intermediate and advanced golfers, allowing players of different skill levels to enjoy the same indoor golf environment.
How many GOLFZON simulators does Golf Haus have?
Golf Haus has five GOLFZON TwoVision simulators.
What financial results has Golf Haus seen from its golf simulator investment?
The customer spotlight does not provide specific revenue, ROI, utilization, payback-period or booking figures, so those numbers cannot be accurately reported here. The Stillwells do say that customers return to play again and that Golf Haus has developed a community around its indoor golf experience.
How many hours per week are the Golf Haus simulators used?
The customer spotlight does not provide a specific number of simulator usage hours or bookings per week. It does note that Golf Haus is open seven days a week until 10 or 11 p.m.
How profitable is Golf Haus?
The customer spotlight does not provide specific profitability or financial performance figures. It does describe several customer and revenue-generating activities, including leagues, tournaments, Ladies’ Night events, corporate outings and school group outings.
A Commercial Golf Simulator Designed Around the Customer Experience
Golf Haus demonstrates how an indoor golf facility can use simulator technology to serve a wide range of golfers while building a welcoming community around the game.
For the Stillwells, the technology was only part of the equation. Their goal was to make golf more approachable—and their five GOLFZON TwoVision simulators have become a central part of that vision.