How do private clubs charge members for the use of golf simulators?

[Rob_Waldron]

The continued popularity of golf simulators has resulted in the installations in both public and private clubs. Obviously public courses typically charge by the hour for use. How are privates handling the use? Are simulators considered an amenity with their use absorbed into dues or do clubs charge members an hourly rate?


Thanks


Rob
 

[Daryl David]

In my experience they are an amenity. Similar to not charging for use of the range or fitness equipment.

[Ryan Taylor]

The club I play at and pay dues charges an hourly rate which is slightly cheaper than the franchise options down the road. The technology and experience is slightly elevated.

[Rob Marshall]

Ours is included in the dues. No additional fee to use. We’re a club owned by the members.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Rob, I haven't used it but it is included in our dues. And we are a member-owned golf/ski resort.

[Pierre_C]

I'm a member at several private clubs, all have an hourly charge to use a golf simulator....

[John Handley]

No charge.  It's an amenity of the club.

[Chris Hughes]

$20/hr at the one place I've been as a guest.  (exceptional multi-bay facility, newly built)


A truly top notch club...


...given the series of "no charge/amenity" responses in this thread makes me wonder why the club I mention is charging for it?

[Craig Sweet]

I play at Old Works and they charge to use the simulators...it's a reduced charge for pass holders....


Old Works was recently added to the Trackman lineup...our pro told me it cost $20,000 for the simulation and other fees.  Perhaps that is why a club would charge to play???

[Matt Bosela]

My home club allows free access to the two Trackman simulators from April through early November while the golf course is open.  When the course is closed down for the winter months, they charge $20/hour per person to use the sims.

[Will Spivey]

No charge.  It's an amenity of the club.

Same.

[Adrian_Stiff]

£40 per hour for non members- Free to Members that have our Range package £100 per year includes unlimited practice balls.

[Ian Mackenzie]

1. Does the club buy it with operating or Cap-X funds? If so, then it's an "amenity".


2. Does the pro buy it with his/her capital? If so, then it's billed out to members hourly,

[Wayne_Kozun]

Ours are only active in the winter and there is a winter golf academy fee of something like $800.  Or you can pay an hourly rate.

[Kalen Braley]

Well even if its "free to use" you're still paying for it whether you actually do so or not,,,,


psychologically thou it can feel better to just write one bigger check each month

[Erik J. Barzeski]

One of the private clubs I know charges a nominal fee (you can bring guests, too) mostly so, as they told me once, people stopped booking times and flaking out. They were finding that Mr. Smith would book the time, blocking the time from being used by someone else, and then wouldn't show up half the time.

If you can get away with including it in your dues, cool, but in many cases I don't think a nominal fee is outrageous: let the people who want to use it support it, while others who take a break in the winter and will never use the sim not pay for it. (Slippery slope perhaps as you could say that about every amenity at a club.)

[Will Thrasher]

Semi-private here but similar setup where we pay an hourly fee that's discounted from non-members.

[Steve Pozaric]

We have 2 trackman simulators that went into service last Fall.  We currently charge $15/guest per hour., but no fees to members (unless you want to rent out both for a private party).  Our Golf and House Ops Committees are currently considering charging fees (which in concept were approved by members) in the coming winter months for several reasons.
 
The simulators were incredibly popular last year and it was very difficult to get times.  We imposed a 2 hr max per day, but it was often the same people playing every day.  If we do an hourly fee (even a small one), the thought is that it would discourage some people for using it constantly and open up times for other members.  This also addresses the no show issue that Erik mentioned.


The other option is to charge all members a flat annual fee which would be much easier to administer but it wouldn't help with usage.


We also found that the screens took a real beating after just the first year and need to be replaced.   

[Jerry Kluger]

I went to a driving range in the Atlanta area and it provided launch monitor, simulators at no charge and the price for a bucket of balls was quite reasonable.

[Daryl David]

I’m not quite sure I understand why a privately owned club would charge for what is essentially an amenity of membership. This is what dues are supposed to cover. Are there extra charges to use the treadmill in the club gym?  To use the pickleball courts?  To use the driving range?  What about the putting green?  Charge by the hour? How about the pool?  Charge by the lap?. Of course that’s ridiculous. Then why with a Trackman? If I belonged to a private club and they announced hourly charges for practicing golf, I would think it’s time quit and find a new club.

[Rob Marshall]

If people don't show you suspend  them from using it. I pay to maintain and operate a pool all summer and don't use it. No different than if someone doesn't use the SIM. It's all part of being a member of a club, If you bring a guest there should be a fee just like the course or the pool.

[Peter Bowman]

This is a helpful thread, as there's been some half-assed talk about doing that at Hooper in the pro shop attic where there's room for 2 stations.  Main issues is its not insulated so heating and cooling, and staffing it in the winter when we're closed is a concern.
It'd be nice if we could make it fully unmanned and unmonitored (except security cameras) and ID card access is granted. 

I saw one place has 2 Track Mans (WAY out of Hooper's budget).  What tracking systems and softwares do others have?