The Chicago Indoor Golf Boom: Lessons from The Haven in Palos Heights

In this episode of the Chicago Golf Report Podcast, we meet Don Borschel, founder of The Haven Indoor Golf in Palos Heights, Illinois, to break down what it really takes to build and operate a successful standalone indoor golf simulator business.

Opened in December 2021 after Don pivoted from a corporate finance career during COVID, The Haven is intentionally built for serious golfers. Instead of leaning into arcade-style gaming, the facility is powered by high-accuracy Foresight technology, delivering the kind of real ball data competitive players demand.

But the story goes far deeper than just great tech.

From Empty Drugstore to Golf Destination

Don transformed a former independent drugstore in his hometown into a four-bay indoor golf simulator facility complete with a full bar and food service. The build-out process? Excruciating.

From liquor license requirements (which forced the addition of a kitchen) to ADA compliance and bathroom size regulations, the design went through multiple iterations before landing on the final layout. The lesson: zoning, licensing, and infrastructure decisions can make or break your financial model.

The “Side Hustle” Myth

If you think indoor golf is passive income, think again.

Don shares that in the early stages, he was working 80–100 hours per week just to build systems and train staff. Winter is the prime season — and it’s a grind. From screen replacements to mat wear-and-tear (and even protecting screens from Sharpie-marked golf balls), maintaining a premium experience requires constant oversight.

This isn’t absentee ownership. It’s hands-on.

Building Community, Not Just Tee Times

The Haven’s retention strategy focuses on replicating the real golf experience:

• Weekly leagues that follow the PGA schedule
• Closest-to-the-pin contests
• Skins games and hole-in-one challenges
• Social media-driven competitions like the “Break 50” challenge

Don also partners with instructors to drive lesson traffic — creating a pipeline of serious golfers who return regularly to practice and improve.

And one underrated strategy? Steering beginners toward easier courses so they leave having fun — not frustrated.

The Chicago Indoor Golf Boom

In the last decade, the Chicago area has gone from fewer than 20 standalone simulator businesses to over 110. That kind of growth brings opportunity — and saturation.

Today’s customers are far more educated about simulator technology. They expect accuracy. They expect realism. And they’re willing to drive 20–30 minutes for a premium experience.

With the rise of televised indoor leagues like TGL, the legitimacy of indoor golf continues to grow — but summer seasonality and fixed overhead remain major business challenges.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Owners:

• Indoor golf is a full-time commitment, not a side hustle
• Zoning and licensing must be addressed early in design
• Quality technology matters if you want serious golfers
• Active marketing and community engagement are essential
• Customer experience drives repeat visits

If you’re considering opening a simulator business — or you’re just curious how the indoor golf economy really works — this episode delivers practical, boots-on-the-ground insight from someone living it every day.

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