So you’ve discovered the magic of golf simulators and now you’re wondering: should I just buy one? Before you swipe your credit card on a $20,000 piece of equipment, let’s run the real numbers and have an honest conversation about what ownership actually looks like — versus simply renting when you need one.
Spoiler: for anyone planning an event, renting wins. And it’s not even close.
The Real Cost of Buying a Golf Simulator
The Purchase Price: $10,000 to $50,000+
Entry-level simulators start around $10,000–$15,000. Mid-range systems run $20,000–$30,000. Premium commercial-grade setups? $50,000 and up. And that’s before installation, software subscriptions, and accessories.
Installation and Space Requirements
A golf simulator needs dedicated space with 9–10 feet minimum ceiling height, a hitting mat, impact screen, and properly calibrated projector. In the New York metro area — where space is a luxury — renovation costs on top of purchase price make ownership a non-starter for most people.
Ongoing Maintenance and Repairs
Impact screens wear out ($500–$2,000+ to replace). Launch monitors need recalibration. Projectors burn out. Software requires annual subscription fees ($500–$2,000/year for premium course libraries). Over five years, maintenance and software easily add $5,000–$10,000+ on top of the purchase.
The Case for Renting: What $1,000 Gets You
All-Inclusive, Delivered to Your Door
One flat rate. ParTee Golf delivers and sets up a full commercial-grade simulator at your location — backyard, indoor venue, office, rooftop — anywhere in NYC or NJ. Setup handled entirely by our team. Breakdown too. You touch nothing except the golf club.
Professional On-Site Caddie
This is where renting completely separates from owning. When you own a simulator, it’s just a machine. When you rent from ParTee Golf, you get a professional, energetic on-site caddie who manages the entire experience — coaching beginners, running competitions, maintaining leaderboards, and keeping the crowd excited for hours. No ownership package comes with a human entertainer built in.
No Storage, No Maintenance, No Headaches
When the event is over, we take everything with us. Nothing to store, nothing to maintain, nothing to worry about until the next time you want to book.
The Math Is Simple
Buy a mid-range simulator at $25,000. Add installation ($2,000), five years of software ($7,500), and maintenance ($5,000). That’s roughly $39,500 over five years. At $1,000 per rental, that’s 39 events — nearly 8 events per year — before renting even theoretically breaks even. And that ignores the caddie service, storage headache, and opportunity cost of your money.
For events? Rent. Every time.
