The True Startup Cost of a Golf Sim Facility

Why most cost guides are wrong

Manufacturer sites price only the equipment. Franchise marketing bundles an optimistic build-out. Neither covers the full picture. A realistic budget needs the monitor, the bay, the software, the build-out, and the first 12 months of overhead. Skip any of those and you run out of cash before breaking even.

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Cost breakdown by category

Launch monitor — CAD $2K–$16K per bay

The monitor is the heart of the bay but not the bulk of your cost. See our Which Golf Sim Tracker to Get comparison for full details. Budget tiers:

Match your monitor to your hourly rate and customer expectations, not your personal preference.

Bay construction — CAD $12K–$30K per bay

Turf and flooring runs $3K–$8K. The impact screen and enclosure add $4K–$12K. A projector with mount is $2K–$5K, and lighting plus electrical comes in at $2K–$4K. Most owners underestimate the enclosure and electrical, so pad this line.

Software — CAD $300–$3K per bay / year

GSPro costs about $CAD 300 per year. It is indie, growing fast, and increasingly accepted in commercial settings. E6 Connect runs closer to $CAD 1,600 per year and remains the safe default for most facilities. TrackMan Performance Studio is around $CAD 3,000 per year and delivers the best experience, but you need TrackMan hardware to use it. Foresight FSX sits near $CAD 2,000 per year. It is less polished than TrackMan but improving steadily.

Real estate — CAD $2.5K–$15K per month

Suburban industrial units run $2–$5 per sq ft. A 6-bay facility with lounge needs 3,000–5,000 sq ft. Retail costs more but brings walk-ins. Industrial costs less but relies on paid marketing. Most new facilities choose industrial because the rent spread pays for a year of ads.

Build-out and furniture — CAD $20K–$80K

Reception and POS will eat $2K–$5K. The lounge and bar area is $8K–$25K. Restrooms and HVAC run $10K–$40K depending on the shell condition. Initial supplies clock in at $1K–$3K. If you are converting a raw warehouse, expect the high end.

Franchise fees — CAD $25K–$50K if applicable

Franchises charge upfront plus ongoing royalties. You get brand recognition, software, and training. You give up profit margin. It is worth it only if your local market pays a premium for the name.

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Hidden costs nobody prices

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Total facility estimate

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Bottom line

Most cost guides stop at the equipment. The real money is in real estate, build-out, and overhead. The operators who fail budgeted for the monitor and forgot the 18 months of runway.

Related reads

• Which Golf Sim Tracker to Get — direct spin, club data, and value comparison. Useful for choosing the right hardware tier before finalizing your build-out budget.
• How to Set Up Your Golf Sim Business: A Complete Technology Stack Guide — the booking systems, payment processing, door access, and monitoring technology that turns your build-out into an operational facility.