Build a mobile golf simulator business — without breaking the bank.
The same playbook we used to launch Birdie Express, run 100+ events, and build a national community of operators. No fluff, no $100K investment, no chasing investors.
100+
events run
$11,000
to get started
35
operators nationwide
Year-round
income potential
The guide we wish we had when we started.
When we started Birdie Express, we didn't have $100,000 to drop on a high-end setup, and we weren't about to chase investors. We focused on finding the most affordable, portable, and effective gear that would let us launch without taking a huge financial risk.
Then we tested everything — at events, in office spaces, at local venues, with paying customers. We learned what works, what doesn't, and what people will actually pay for. This page lays out the path we took, in three tiers, so you can pick where you are and start there.
— Carlton, Birdie Express co-founder
Three steps. Pick where you start.
Each step builds on the last. Most operators start with the free guide, decide it's for them, and grow from there.
Free Guide
Free
For: anyone exploring the idea
- Legal and business setup basics
- The two setups we use, with prices
- Pricing strategy for your first events
- How we landed our first paying customer
Full Playbook
$39
For: operators ready to launch
- Complete equipment shopping list
- Venue email templates that work
- Rental agreement, ready to adapt
- Marketing playbook for filling events
Buy the Sim
$11,000
For: operators ready to skip ahead
- The complete Pro Setup we run
- Launch monitor, bay, projector included
- 5–10 week build and ship
- Direct setup support from us
"This business never really feels like work. Every rental is a blast, and watching people light up when they pure an iron and stick a shot close — there's nothing better."
— THE BIRDIE EXPRESS TEAM
Common questions
Do I need to know anything about golf to run this business?
It helps, but it's not required. Most of your customers won't be scratch golfers either — they're people who want to have fun. What you do need is comfort with the equipment and software, which is what the playbook walks you through.
How long until I'm running paid events?
If you move quickly, you can run your first paid event 4–6 weeks after buying equipment. That includes setting up your LLC, learning the gear, running mock events, and pitching your first venue. Some operators take longer; that's fine. Don't rush the practice.
What if I want help, not just a guide?
We offer free 15-minute consultations for serious operators. Once you're up and running, you can also apply to join our community network — get listed on our directory, learn from other operators, and tap into shared leads.
Why not just buy any sim setup off Amazon?
You can. We did, at first — and bought the wrong gear twice. The shopping list in the playbook is what we landed on after months of testing, returns, and real events. The full setup we sell ($11K) is the same one we run ourselves. You're paying for time saved and mistakes avoided.