Do you charge people to use you simulator

[Hi Handicaper]

I actually feel guilty even asking this, but after putting in over $12,000 into my sim, and all the upkeep costs (new screen, hitting mats, software subscriptions, balls, heating and cooling, etc.), I'd like to know if any of you charge people that want to play on your sim often? As far as my family (adult children and fiancés etc.), I would never want them to give me anything. but those "friends" that want to golf on it all the time, what should be expected of them? The sim definitely gets warn out faster than if I used it by myself. Just balls alone; I have gone through dozens of balls and metal dots (I use the Mevo +). Now that I started using the RCT balls at $65.00 a dozen, I feel like not only do I have this huge investment, but it feels like I'm paying for everyone's rounds of golf and supplying them balls as well.

I am not made of money, and this was a major investment for me. Am I completely out of line thinking like this?

Just wondering if any of you ask for a little something for letting them play.

Thanks

[grant2145]

I think similar rules can also apply to taking the boat out or weekends at the cabin. If you’re playing host and inviting people to come over and play don’t charge. The considerate guests will bring the beer or order the pizza but nothing should be expected.

If your friends are inviting themselves over, start up a collection jar. If they mention the worn-out balls or dirty screen tell them you are saving up to buy some new gear and that they can donate to help.

No matter what, if you are going to charge or expect some form of payment be up-front about it.

[Bryson of Bogey Golf]

Happy to help along these lines if anyone is interested. Feel free to message me. We've started a high-end sim sharing club to help facilitate this sort of arrangement. Might be more formal than what you're thinking but might open other doors as well. Can support insurance, member management, booking, finance admin, etc.

[SteveMac]

No. I don’t charge anyone to come play. They don’t come that often and I have use of the system 24x7. I chose to build this and I appreciate when the guys do come over. So no, I wouldn’t dream if charging them to play.

However,,, once they learned that courses can be built,,, several have mentioned, “Let’s have THIs local course built!” “Let’s have THAT local course built!” I tell them it can be done,,, but they all have to gather the funds to do a build. I’m having one course built for my own sentimental reasons, but I’m not gonna foot the bill for the SIM AND to have a half a dozen courses built to satisfy their whims. LOL

[GoldenSim]

I have a poster on the wall that I made up…


#11 and #12 seem to address this situation pretty well. Some people leave a donation, some don’t, but it makes me feel a bit better.

[SteveMac]

WOW. I am stealing this! I especially like number ten. There are so many people with the "You should have..." "You ought to..." "It would be cool if..." comments.

Most don't have a clue how much research and effort goes into putting one of these in on a DIY basis, in order to not make a very expensive mistake.

I'm happy when the guys come to play, and I am also happy when they go home... LOL

[GoldenSim]

SteveMac haha - yep, that’s probably my favourite one too. It’s a standing joke with one of my good friends who comes to play and pretty much every visit tries to make a suggestion but starts the sentence with different words…. He gets it. Some people just never realize how much work and effort and money we’ve all put into these! And I agree.. it’s great when people arrive and then just as good when they leave lol

[Brettster]

GoldenSim - that is fantastic! Never thought of that, and it seems a good way to charge for rounds. How many actually leave a donation (1 in 2, 1 in 5, or 1 in 10) and what is the average donation (is it $10)? Are all of those playing in your Sim local friends, neighbors, or golf course buddies?

[GoldenSim]

Brettster to be honest, I have very few people who play in my sim. Since I built it, our local course has opened a sim in the winter months so most people play there. A few good friends still come and play. Some leave $10 probably 2 out of every three or four visits, one guy waits until the end of the season and then gives me some money towards some upgrades or replacements, and of course the odd person… ignores it completely

[Brettster]

GoldenSim - what's the monthly average of payments you get coming in? Also, curious about that local course idea - can you share where you live and what that course is? I've often wondered why my local courses don't consider something like it - and I could act as a consultant to get them going, if they showed some interest.

[GoldenSim]

Brettster haha - when I said I have “very few people” I truly meant it. I probably get $20 / month, winter months only. It MAY pay for the heating, as you mentioned below. It certainly doesn’t cover the cost of wear and tear on screen, stance mat, hitting mat etc. I made a decision at the start that I would rather keep it to a small select group of people and accept that it would not be self sustaining from any contributions, rather than trying to make it semi-commercial. I think if you go down the route of really pushing people for money, it only raises expectations, and then any of the little issues that we all deal with from time to time (with software or anything else) becomes something that you have to fix. It’s a fine line and I guess people fall into many categories of what they expect from their sim. The main person who uses it with me is my local golf assistant pro, who is a good friend, and we trade for some lessons and every now and then he’ll give me a hand with a project. I probably get several hundred dollars worth of value from him using it which is in trade rather than dollar bills.

My local course is Golden Golf Club in Golden, BC, Canada. They currently have a Flightscope which is setup in the winter months in the restaurant area. It’s not perfect, but it gives people somewhere to swing a club in the winter. There is a potential plan is to build a purpose built building next to the driving range with a new sim setup (hardware to be determined) and an opening door (picture a huge garage door opening facing the range) for the summer months so that they can use it for teaching and club fitting in the summer and then a more “pro” sim in the winter. I’ve been working with my friend the Assistant Pro on the options and design, but again, it’s not been a huge money maker for anyone, more a member trying to help their club out.

I hope that all helps and makes sense. Drop me a note if you want any more info or contacts for your Club to speak to.

[Tom Howarth]

I have had my set up for about 1 1/2 years now. Not one person, other than me, has hit a shot in it. I can't imagine having people over all the time using the Sim. It would annoy me that I could not practice and use it (since it did cost a lot of money to assemble) and I don't have an infinite amount of time to use it.

[Brettster]

Tom Howarth - I do see your point and kind of feel the same way... but the enticement of making some money on the use of the Sim does make it feel more like a free toy to use, instead of a very expensive toy that costs money every month.

For example my Mini-Split is running me about $20/month from what I see (on average) to heat/cool the building every month. It would be nice to recoup some of that, but only if it was not cutting into the time that I'm wanting to play out there 'all for myself'. I'm not sure there's a good way to handle all of this - short of having a scheduling utility - or maybe scheduling app, such as something online that lets you charge for your time (think consultation), and let people book time in the Sim, but only after you've booked it for all the time(s) you think you might use it?

[Hi Handicaper]

I would love to have it just for me and my kids and their fiances, but word gets out and one of their friends wants to see it, how do you say no? This weekend one of my Son's friends came over, he golfs maybe two rounds a year and has never even kept score. He hits 2 balls into the wall (luckily is unfinished sheet rock and will get repaired before finishing, and one in a window that I had covered with 2" rigid insulation for the winter, so no major damage there, but also came with clubs that have been in the bed of his truck for the last 6 Months and were covered in frozen mud and I mean a lot. His bag had dried mud falling off of it. He had no problem when I told him they needed to be cleaned and we all worked on the together. Don't get me wrong, he's a real good kid, but before he left he said: "Do you mind if I leave my clubs here, we should do this every weekend?" I couldn't say no, but am a little worried that my sanctuary may be getting a little too public.

[Tom Howarth]

Hi Handicaper No way. I would have to put up a sign that says "out of business." You are way nicer than me.

[Tom Howarth]

Brettster I have two young sons who will hopefully enjoy the Sim with me one day. The cost does not bother me much. Although, I will need to upgrade my gaming computer soon which will be a big expense (bummer). Maybe they can do yard work to earn Sim time. Lol.

[Hi Handicaper]

Golden Sim- Ha Ha, I had one made up as well.

[GoldenSim]

Hi Handicaper - haha - love it. I need to redo my poster to cover a larger area (it was in front of a 100 amp panel which has been upgraded to 200 amp and is therefore showing below the poster). I may have to steal your “no pets” rule Since covid it seems everyone has a dog, and I can just hear it now “don’t worry, he won’t be any issue, he’ll just sit there quietly” lol

[DaveyRockit]

I like the idea of a hole in one challenge. Split the pot with owner. Everyone throws in $5-10 per round. On a dry erase board it says pot total and date started.

[GoldenSim]

DaveyRockit I think that’s a great idea. Kind of like a 50/50 but with a skills challenge where the sim owner wins at least 50%. Or people could do it per session with a KP on one of the par 3’s if they want to make it ‘quicker’. I’m sure, like all things, there will be some people (like beginners) who will bemoan that they have “no chance” and won’t want to pay, because they’re not really “getting it”…..