Golf Ops

Hourly vs. Membership Pricing: Which Model Works Best for Indoor Golf Venues?

Jun 27, 2025

In today’s competitive indoor golf simulator industry, your pricing model is more than just a number on a screen—it’s a strategic decision that can shape customer behavior, loyalty, and profitability. Whether you’re just launching or optimizing an existing business, understanding the difference between hourly and membership-based pricing is essential. 

Let’s explore both models, their benefits, risks, and how you can implement a flexible system that works for your venue. 

Hourly Pricing: Maximum Flexibility, Minimal Commitment 

Hourly pricing is a straightforward model that appeals to customers looking for flexibility. It works particularly well for first-time visitors, tourists, or players who want to book on short notice without long-term commitments. 


When hourly pricing works best: 

Attracting casual or new customers 
Weekend or peak-hour bookings 
Generating revenue during high-demand periods 
Running one-time events or promo campaigns 

Pros: 
*Easy to understand for customers 
*No upfront commitment required 
*Ideal for maximizing per-session revenue 

Cons: 
*Limited customer retention 
*Revenue can be unpredictable 
*May not appeal to loyal or regular players 

To make hourly pricing more effective, you can implement time-based rules. For instance, with Teelogix, you can set different prices based on day, time, or even customer type—helping you stay competitive and profitable. 


Membership Pricing: Predictable Income, Stronger Loyalty 

Membership models encourage long-term engagement by offering recurring access for a fixed monthly or annual fee. This approach is popular among more serious players, league participants, and community-minded users. 


When membership pricing works best: 

For creating recurring revenue streams 
To build a strong community around your facility 
During off-peak hours when utilization is lower 
With players who play regularly and seek value 


Pros:
 
*Predictable monthly income 
*Greater customer retention and loyalty 
*Easier to forecast usage and plan staffing 


Cons:
 
*Less attractive for infrequent players 
*Overuse risk during peak hours 
*Requires clear value communication 

Platforms like Teelogix allow you to manage membership perks, track usage, and set rules such as peak-hour restrictions, ensuring your space is used fairly and efficiently. 

 

A Hybrid Approach: Combining the Best of Both Worlds 

The most effective model for many indoor golf venues is a hybrid strategy—offering both hourly and membership options. This gives customers the freedom to choose what fits their habits, while giving you the flexibility to optimize revenue. 

Examples of hybrid models include: 

Weekday-only memberships with weekend hourly rates 
“First X hours per month free” for members, then hourly 
Tiered membership levels with increasing benefits 
Bundles that combine simulator time with lessons or retail discounts 

By offering flexible pricing through a reliable platform like Teelogix, you can test what works best for your audience and make real-time adjustments without overhauling your entire system. 

 

How Teelogix Makes It Easy to Offer Both 

Teelogix is built for flexibility. Whether you're offering pay-per-play or full-service memberships, our booking engine lets you: 

Customize pricing by time, day, or user segment 
Enable or restrict access based on membership type 
Automate billing and renewals 
Track member usage and manage limits 

You don’t have to commit to just one model. Start small, learn from your data, and evolve your pricing with confidence. 

 

Final Thoughts 

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to pricing your indoor golf simulator business. But with the right tools and insights, you can find the balance that maximizes revenue, retains players, and keeps operations smooth. 

Teelogix gives you that control—allowing you to test, adapt, and grow sustainably. 

Ready to optimize your pricing strategy with a system built for golf businesses? 
Explore Teelogix

 

About the Author
Jordan Calton

Jordan Calton is a guest contributor with over 15 years of experience managing golf venues across the Midwest. With a hands-on approach to scheduling, staffing, and daily operations, Jordan shares actionable insights to help club managers simplify complexity and serve players better.

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