When former investment banker Ajit Padda opened the first Golf Lounge 18 in Fairfield, Connecticut, in 2018, he wasn’t aiming to reinvent the way people play golf. He just wanted a place to practice with friends. Seven years later, that experiment has become a thriving business with ten locations across the Northeast, three more under construction, and a newly launched franchise model that’s already generating interest.
Riding the Indoor Golf Boom
Golf Lounge 18’s growth coincides with an industry-wide surge in simulator golf. The National Golf Foundation reports that 2024 marked the first year indoor rounds outpaced outdoor rounds in the U.S. Industry revenue is projected to climb from $1.3 billion in 2020 to $3.2 billion by 2030, with more than eight million participants.
“Back then, you had to convince people indoor golf was real,” Padda recalls. “Today, many actually prefer it because few have six hours for a traditional round.”
Indoor golf’s flexible scheduling — leagues in the evening, kids’ programs after school, retirees in daytime slots — has attracted a younger, broader customer base than most traditional clubs. Golf Lounge 18’s average customer is 35–50, a demographic that rarely joins green-grass facilities but embraces short-form, social play.
Building a Different Kind of Clubhouse
Padda positioned Golf Lounge 18 between warehouse simulators and private clubs: upscale, but approachable. A simple pub-style food and beverage menu encourages players to extend their visits, with NGF data showing that attractive F&B programs can increase per-visit spend by more than 70%. Programming is tailored to demand — leagues on certain nights, kids’ camps during off-peak hours, no lessons during weekend rushes.
Technology as a Growth Engine
Behind the casual “clubhouse” feel is a serious technology backbone. With more than 110 Trackman bays across ten locations, Golf Lounge 18 has developed a proprietary operations platform that integrates booking, entertainment, and system management. Members can even compete across different cities in real time.
Each location follows a 70/30 model: 70% standardized design and operating procedures, 30% localized flavor (regional beers, team murals, menu tweaks). This balance has supported consistent scaling without sacrificing community connection.
Strategic Partners and Disciplined Growth
Critical to the rollout has been Golf Lounge 18’s collaboration with The Indoor Golf Shop, a leading supplier and installer of simulator technology. Founder Rene Delgado’s team provides standardized installation and design services across locations, making Golf Lounge 18 one of the largest Trackman customers worldwide.
Despite investor interest and surging demand, Padda insists on disciplined expansion. All existing venues are 100% equity-owned, and the company has averaged just over one new location per year. With franchising now in play, Golf Lounge 18 plans to double its footprint over the next two years while maintaining operational oversight.
The Road Ahead
As simulator golf continues its rapid growth, Padda predicts industry consolidation — but also stresses the importance of local engagement. “Somebody has to be on the floor, running leagues and knowing the customers,” he says.
For Golf Lounge 18, success remains as much about culture as numbers. “At the end of the day, it’s about building community,” Padda adds. “If we can do that well, the business will take care of itself.”
