Full Swing & Back Nine Forge a New Era for Simulator Golf

CARLSBAD, Calif. and ST.GEORGE, Utah – February 05, 2026 – In a move set to accelerate the transformation of modern golf, sports technology leader Full Swing and the rapidly expanding franchise Back Nine have announced an exclusive partnership. This collaboration pairs Full Swing's tour-level simulator technology with Back Nine's innovative 24/7, membership-based indoor golf model, creating a powerful platform that is reshaping how, when, and where people play the game.

The alliance comes as Back Nine experiences meteoric growth, exploding from just 10 facilities in 2023 to over 100 operational locations today. The company’s frictionless, tech-forward approach has clearly struck a chord, tapping into a seismic shift in the golf landscape.

The Simulator Revolution Takes Hold

This partnership is not happening in a vacuum; it is a headline event in the booming indoor golf market. The global golf simulator industry, valued at over $1.7 billion in 2024, is projected to surge past $4 billion by the early 2030s, growing at a compound annual rate of over 10%. The driving force behind this expansion is a fundamental change in player behavior. For the first time, off-course golf participation has eclipsed traditional on-course play in the United States, with 32.9 million people engaging with the sport at simulators and entertainment venues, compared to 26.6 million on grass courses.

This new wave of golf is younger, more diverse, and craves the convenience that venues like Back Nine provide. The average age of an off-course golfer is 36, compared to 44 for traditional players, and the demographic includes a significantly higher percentage of women and non-white participants. These players are drawn to the accessibility of year-round, weather-proof play and the data-rich feedback that modern simulators offer.

"Back Nine represents exactly where the game is going," said Jason Fierro, Chief Operating Officer at Full Swing. "Wil and his team have built a scalable, technology-first model that respects the integrity of golf while making it more accessible and engaging. The partnership is very important to us because together we're setting the standard for what simulator golf should be."

A Partnership Forged for Scale and Performance

Back Nine’s selection of Full Swing as its exclusive simulator partner in 2024 was a strategic decision rooted in the need for uncompromising quality at scale. With millions of shots being hit across its network—over 37 million since its 2023 launch—the franchise required technology that was not only accurate but also commercially reliable enough to withstand constant use in high-traffic environments.

Full Swing, the Official Licensed Simulator of the PGA TOUR and an Official Technology Partner of TGL presented by SoFi, brings that level of credibility. Trusted by a roster of elite athletes including Tiger Woods, Jon Rahm, and Jordan Spieth, its systems are renowned for delivering unmatched real-ball-flight data. The company's KIT Launch Monitor, a cornerstone of its technology, provides 16 points of club and ball data combined with high-resolution video, offering the kind of granular feedback previously reserved for tour professionals.

This commitment to performance is central to the vision of both companies. "Back Nine is about more than fast growth – it's about having a lasting impact," said Wil Bangerter, CEO and founder of Back Nine. "Our technology, facilities and partnerships are built to scale together, and Full Swing gives us the brand credibility we need to optimally support our customers and franchisees as we re-imagine the indoor golf vertical."

Fueling a Franchise Frenzy

The explosive growth of Back Nine is powered by a lean and efficient business model that stands in contrast to many of its competitors. With a startup cost for a four-bay facility around $360,000, it presents a more accessible entry point for franchisees compared to entertainment-heavy competitors whose investments can run into the millions. The model’s focus is purely on golf, centered around a semi-passive ownership structure, 24/7 member access, and a proprietary software stack that automates booking, payments, and performance tracking.

This tech-centric approach has enabled rapid scaling, with over 100 locations now open across 42 states and more than 300 additional facilities scheduled to open by the end of 2027. The franchise is also expanding internationally into Canada, Australia, and the UK. This momentum is further amplified by a strategic partnership with GolfNow, which simplifies booking and introduces the Back Nine brand to a vast audience of existing golfers.

To support this expansion, the company recently opened a new state-of-the-art corporate headquarters in St. George, Utah, signaling its long-term ambitions to dominate the indoor golf vertical. The disciplined rollout strategy is set to accelerate in 2026, with continued investment in its proprietary app and data-driven programming designed to deepen player engagement.

Building the Modern Golf Community

Beyond the technology and business metrics, the partnership between Full Swing and Back Nine is fundamentally about building a new kind of golf community. With its trademarked mantra, "Where Golf Never Sleeps," Back Nine has created a hub for a diverse spectrum of players, from dedicated amateurs fine-tuning their swing at 2 a.m. to families enjoying an interactive game on a weekend.

The proprietary mobile app is key to this ecosystem, allowing members to not only book sessions and track their performance data but also join virtual tournaments and engage with a connected community of golfers that extends beyond the walls of any single venue. This digital layer fosters retention and transforms a solo practice session into a shared social experience.

By standardizing the in-bay experience with Full Swing's elite technology, Back Nine ensures that every member at every location—whether in a major city or a small town—has access to the same high-fidelity, data-rich environment. This consistency is crucial for building trust and credibility with a new generation of golfers who are fluent in data and expect a seamless user experience. As the franchise continues its aggressive expansion, this fusion of accessible, community-focused facilities and tour-proven technology is setting a new benchmark for the future of the sport.