Building Loyalty Through Innovation: The Modern Golfer’s Wish List for Simulator Facilities

Simulator facilities cover a lot more now than just hitting balls indoors. From the vast technological advancements to rapidly changing customer expectations - these facilities have become a space of innovation, entertainment, and community. Modern golfers are looking for more than an alternative to the driving range in simulator facilities. They’re looking for the whole package, a complete experience. Let’s dive into what today’s guests are looking for and how your facility can deliver.?

1. Immersive Technology: A Non-Negotiable

Today’s golfers are looking for hyper-realistic simulation experiences. The ability to play indoors year-round but with high-tech simulators that give them the feel and illusion of real-world courses. Features that you can’t find in real life play like customizing the weather or super advanced ball tracking have become the minimum expectations of guests for sim facilities.

One way to stay competitive is regularly updating your simulator software with new courses and the most recent technology for precision and accuracy. Making sure you’re working with trusted tech providers helps to ensure you get to continue to offer your guests the best of the best.?

2. Seamless Booking and Onboarding

Convenient and quick booking is what the modern consumer looks for when it comes to enhancing their experience with a business like a golf simulator facility. Having a streamlined process for equipment rentals, bay bookings, or even event registration that is simple and efficient is crucial as this is the first experience your guests will have with your facility - and first impressions are important!

Implementing a user-friendly online booking system, such as Golf 918, allows your guests to schedule and pay from their mobile device and without a hassle - making sure that first impression is a positive one.?

3. A Tailored Experience for Every Golfer

Golf simulator facilities are a space for pros, beginners, and all of the in between. Modern consumers and players expect that there are going to be opportunities and offerings that meet each person's needs. Things like coaching programs, simple tutorials for beginners or skill challenges can shift your guest’s experience from a one-time fun evening out to the go-to spot.?

Appeal to larger audiences by offering something for everyone - “Beginner Basics”, “Family Golf Night” or skill-specific challenge events are all great ideas for catering to large groups with varying experience levels.?

4. Elevated Food and Beverage Options

Craft beers, locally sourced eats, appetizers and happy hours - these are the expectations of most who are visiting an entertainment space such as a sim facility. Offering diverse dining options helps to enhance the overall experience your facility offers.?

You don’t need to add much to your workload or operational processes either. Golf 918’s systems help to streamline your food and beverage operations for a better guest experience simplified day-to-day.?

5. A Community-Centric Approach

Sim facilities are becoming environments of socialization, networking and community. Guests at your facility are more often than not expecting more than just the game to play but also connection with other players and guests who share a passion for golf.?

Creating league nights or hosting tournaments and becoming the go-to space for corporate events is a great way to foster that sense of community within your facility and at the same time give yourself additional revenue streams.?

6. Flexibility and Value

Flexibility matters for a golf simulator facility. Most working professionals can only partake during later evening hours through the week, families likely find it easier and more enjoyable to make that their weekend entertainment. Offering flexible hours is a great way to keep your guests coming back. Not to mention, dynamic pricing and offering specials based on your peak and off-peak hours can be a great incentive for drawing in even more guests - and is also a task that Golf 918 can help simplify for you.

7. Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Simulator facilities are already receiving high praise for offering a way to play golf without all of the environmental harm that can be the result of traditional courses. Today, the modern consumer tends to be more socially conscious and as a result businesses that embrace sustainability by making the choice to partner with eco-conscious brands or use more energy-efficient systems are more likely to be the business of choice.

Transforming Expectations into Reality

Golf simulator facilities can’t just be focused on offering the game of golf to be successful in a highly competitive market. Creating a complete experience of convenience, community, and fun is how you meet and exceed guest expectations now - and in the future. You’re setting yourself and your guests up for success by investing time and effort in the areas we’ve touched on today and aligning yourself with the ability to do more than just make transactions.?

How Golf 918 Systems Can Help

At Golf 918 Systems our goal is to keep your bays full, food and beverages flowing, and your operations seamless. From booking solutions to membership management, food and beverage ordering and our complete POS solution, we’re here to help you power your play and streamline your business.?