[ErubTiereedig]

I like the technology and have found it to be pretty closely replicate my real shot results which to me makes it viable for bad-weather play. Some day I hope to have one in my home so I can practice whenever I want. Unlike at the range, I'll be able to control conditions, yardage of the target, etc. and hit quality balls instead of range bricks.

Anyway, as a business, many I'm familiar with seem to fail. I can't explain this as I agree with you, there should be a viable business here. The ones who seem to do the best are not dependent on the sims. for their entire revenue, ie. golf courses with a couple sims. for winter leagues, bowling alley with indoor mini-golf and sims. pub with a couple sims. in the back, etc. Those that open and just do golf (along with pub food and maybe alcohol) seem to struggle. There was a monster in Texas with 20 sims. and a full restaurant that went belly up.

The best model I've seen is a training center with 4 sims. They have a full range, professional practice facility (multiple greens, bunkers, etc.), indoor retail set up, indoor hitting bays (into nets), multiple instructors on staff and the sims. This way the sims compliment their instructional business and when not being used for instruction players can rent them by the hour to either practice or play.

Hope that all helps some. I've always wanted to get into this business, but they keep failing and I just don't get it...