Off Course is back this week with a fantastic show and this is episode 241. Hosted by Dan Edwards, each Friday he gives you a deep look into the world of golf and equipment in a way unlike any other podcast has done before. Today, James Miles, Director of Education at THP, joins the show to discuss the rise of indoor golf and launch monitors.
It wouldn’t be Off Course without some tangents, but Dan and James dive into many topics including how TGL can connect the dots between the PGA Tour and fun. This show has a lot going on and is one you will not want to miss as James Miles goes Off Course.

Episode 241 is here and Dan and James discuss the following topics.
Trends at the 2025 PGA Show
Normalizing Launch Monitors in Every Day Golf
The Rise of Indoor Golf
Cobra’s Go Chase More Commercial
TGL Connecting the Dots Between Tour and Fun
And so much more
You can listen to the show right here, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you do your listening and downloading from. Search for the Hackers Paradise and make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. After listening, come back over and drop us a note below on what you agree and/or disagree with from the episode. If you get a chance, drop us a review wherever you listen from and let others know what you think of the show and/or channel.
Off course is now available in video as well. Tune into the THPGolf YouTube Channel and jump into the video and watch the interaction rather than just listen between Dan and his guests each week.
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[QUOTE=”JTinMO, post: 12953449, member: 68067″]
Listened to this again on the drive home. [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] interesting point about indoor lineup vs outdoor. I haven’t considered that but it’s true. The hitting mats make it very easy to lineup.
I’ll have to keep an eye on that
[/QUOTE]
When you are standing in a box it makes it real easy to line up everything.
Listening now. As far as THL goes and the course design. I don’t think they leaned into it enough. It should be more Mario crazy. Hitting the ball in to pipes and trying to do more crazy things to create advantages. It is still too much like real golf. Go crazy..
I dunno about Bryson. He sucks when it isn’t scripted. Did you watch the last match. Dude was basically crying in the corner. Took out his ear piece and quite.
[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 12953525, member: 53139″]
Listening now. As far as THL goes and the course design. I don’t think they leaned into it enough. It should be more Mario crazy. Hitting the ball in to pipes and trying to do more crazy things to create advantages. It is still too much like real golf. Go crazy..
[/QUOTE]
I agree with this. If you’re not playing courses we know I kind of would love full on Mario cart track style indoor golf courses.
they go straight up Mario golf in the TGL and I am even more out than I am now lmao
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12953645, member: 2320″]
they go straight up Mario golf in the TGL and I am even more out than I am now lmao
[/QUOTE]
Lame and anti fun.
[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 12953674, member: 53139″]
Lame and anti fun.
[/QUOTE]
lmao, neither?
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12953686, member: 2320″]
lmao, neither?
[/QUOTE]
You’re the one who brought up sponge bob. I think it would be super fun. Have 1000 yard par 5 holes. If you hit it into the tube in the air you get a boost on your drive. Back boards you can bank shots of. Totally lean hard into the video game style. I think it would be fun. That would allow for some humor on the show and some fun moments with extreme risk reward.
[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 12953696, member: 53139″]
You’re the one who brought up sponge bob. I think it would be super fun. Have 1000 yard par 5 holes. If you hit it into the tube in the air you get a boost on your drive. Back boards you can bank shots of. Totally lean hard into the video game style. I think it would be fun. That would allow for some humor on the show and some fun moments with extreme risk reward.
[/QUOTE]
so, to be clear: I view the current NFL solution of Spongebob has being equitable to the current version of PGA Tour golf, which i consider damn near unwatchable. The alternative feed is what I would be looking to watch, one with pure shots and open commentary.
That’s because he’s an asshat, but he’s still got more personality than the entire pga tour at this point
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12953702, member: 2320″]
so, to be clear: I view the current NFL solution of Spongebob has being equitable to the current version of PGA Tour golf, which i consider damn near unwatchable. The alternative feed is what I would be looking to watch, one with pure shots and open commentary.
[/QUOTE]
I think right now it is just golf. It should be more game.. I needs more gameification.. get wild. You will still get to see pros swing clubs. Make it so that there is a wall that the have to stinger the ball under. Just sore stuff other than hitting drivers and half wedges. Force them to curve it around stuff under stuff over stuff. It would be a blast!!!!
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12953709, member: 1579″]
That’s because he’s an asshat, but he’s still got more personality than the entire pga tour at this point
[/QUOTE]
Not sure I agree. But I get what you are saying and I agree with your point..
[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 12953713, member: 53139″]
Not sure I agree. But I get what you are saying and I agree with your point..
[/QUOTE]
True, Rory’s flip flopping is daytime soap opera level. ?
[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 12953710, member: 53139″]
I think right now it is just golf. It should be more game.. I needs more gameification.. get wild. You will still get to see pros swing clubs. Make it so that there is a wall that the have to stinger the ball under. Just sore stuff other than hitting drivers and half wedges. Force them to curve it around stuff under stuff over stuff. It would be a blast!!!!
[/QUOTE]
I would argue the current PGA product is very LITTLE golf.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12953718, member: 2320″]
I would argue the current PGA product is very LITTLE golf.
[/QUOTE]
Don’t disagree.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12953718, member: 2320″]
I would argue the current PGA product is very LITTLE golf.
[/QUOTE]
Agreed.
[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 12953710, member: 53139″]
I think right now it is just golf. It should be more game.. I needs more gameification.. get wild. You will still get to see pros swing clubs. Make it so that there is a wall that the have to stinger the ball under. Just sore stuff other than hitting drivers and half wedges. Force them to curve it around stuff under stuff over stuff. It would be a blast!!!!
[/QUOTE]
Like Big Break?
[QUOTE=”MGoBlue, post: 12952780, member: 53320″]
Good show today guys. Watched on YT for the first time. Have been listening only prior to this.
“Feeting”. ???
[/QUOTE]
My Ted Lasso word turning into a sound moment
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12953715, member: 1579″]
True, Rory’s flip flopping is daytime soap opera level. ?
[/QUOTE]
Why do you hate me??
[QUOTE=”hackitup, post: 12953722, member: 42140″]
Like Big Break?
[/QUOTE]
But not lame and quality golf personalities…
[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 12953746, member: 53139″]
But not lame and quality golf personalities…
[/QUOTE]
I don’t know about lame, I kinda liked Big Break. It was the change from pure golf that made it fun for me. The personalities though… seemed scripted.
[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 12953744, member: 53139″]
Why do you hate me??
[/QUOTE]
I just speak truth. Hahahahaha
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 12953792, member: 1579″]
I just speak my mind. Hahahahaha
[/QUOTE]
Fify. Which is something I enjoy.
[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 12953797, member: 53139″]
Fify. Which is something I enjoy.
[/QUOTE]
No, I had it right.
Good listen guys. Dan, i think it was you that said Golf Course’s could really be the next big growth area for indoor SIM/LM in the next 5 years. I think that is definitely the case. However, Some courses like ours doN’t have a large enough footprint for it and too low ceilings (9 foot) and a lot of municipalities aren’t going to pay the cost to retrofit a space.
But we have already seen a handful of our competitors make the move.
Our course was the first in the area to put in sims, and we did it by converting a couple of underutilized spaces that included raising ceilings and moving duct work. The construction was bartered for playing privileges (inside and out), so the only real cost was the actual sim units themselves.
It then took less than two years to pay off that investment, and now the course has a steady revenue stream to get through what used to be some pretty lean winter months.
I’ve said it before that as conservation efforts and land use restrictions become more and more prevalent, sim golf will play a factor in the future of golf.
For me TGL is evolving into a crisply-paced, fun and watchable product.
Nice broadcast, guys. As you point out, there doesn’t have to be only one way to play or consume our “golf.”
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12953645, member: 2320″]
they go straight up Mario golf in the TGL and I am even more out than I am now lmao
[/QUOTE]
Shortcut tunnel in the fairway? Trampoline bunkers? Speed boost? Putt read line on the green?
I see potential. Haha
[QUOTE=”CAA_Beat, post: 12953829, member: 18549″]
Good listen guys. Dan, i think it was you that said Golf Course’s could really be the next big growth area for indoor SIM/LM in the next 5 years. I think that is definitely the case. However, Some courses like ours doN’t have a large enough footprint for it and too low ceilings (9 foot) and a lot of municipalities aren’t going to pay the cost to retrofit a space.
But we have already seen a handful of our competitors make the move.
[/QUOTE]
Every course in the northeast should do this.
Our course rents simulators, but we’ve had them for 3 years and have made a profit every year, and each year the profit is larger than the one prior. This can’t continue forever…..but any course in the NE can make a profit off sims i’m convinced
Great watch, guys, thanks. I mixed it up and went to YouTube this morning.
Every course in my area has added sims for the winter here in the north.
Every course…except mine. “We have other priorities on our list.” Idiots. So people are instead building their own; one friend is even adding on to his house for it. And that means years ahead with lost food and drink sales for the golf course.
[QUOTE=”lambeau, post: 12954909, member: 49299″]
Great watch, guys, thanks. I mixed it up and went to YouTube this morning.
Every course in my area has added sims for the winter here in the north.
Every course…except mine. “We have other priorities on our list.” Idiots. So people are instead building their own; one friend is even adding on to his house for it. And that means years ahead with lost food and drink sales for the golf course.
[/QUOTE]
It’s interesting…..are you involved with the club much or friends with anyone in management? SIMs are kind of a no-brainer IMO. I mentioned above but our course immediately made a profit on them even while renting (which is an option if you don’t want to buy them)
And we made a profit JUST on the cost of the sim rentals. This does not even account for extra food and beverage which is harder to track.
It’s just good business to do it
I was formerly on the BoD, but am not currently. Plenty connected to the Board still though. We have the space and high ceilings, but my belief is that the manager doesn’t want to deal with setup/takedown in the wedding banquet room. Hell, they could put up a heated shed outside with a satellite bar and make money.
[QUOTE=”lambeau, post: 12954927, member: 49299″]
I was formerly on the BoD, but am not currently. Plenty connected to the Board still though. We have the space and high ceilings, but my belief is that the manager doesn’t want to deal with setup/takedown in the wedding banquet room. Hell, they could put up a heated shed outside with a satellite bar and make money.
[/QUOTE]
In my club we had the same concerns, but what we did was put up a curtain that we could close when we had weddings. So the sims are in the corner of the room, and a curtain seals off that area during weddings. It did cut our capacity for weddings from 150 or so to about 120. But most weddings were not more than ~120 that we would host.
Me and my sister both got married there actually (not to each other, that would be weird) and were both in 120 range.
So it’s worked out mostly
[QUOTE=”MtlJeff, post: 12954902, member: 68350″]
Every course in the northeast should do this.
Our course rents simulators, but we’ve had them for 3 years and have made a profit every year, and each year the profit is larger than the one prior. This can’t continue forever…..but any course in the NE can make a profit off sims i’m convinced
[/QUOTE]
I’m convinced as well. Befween running Sim Leagues, open play, Club Fitting and Lessons. So much revenue opportunity for them. But try convincing a county budget director who doesn’t even see the benefit of outdoor golf. Ha
Great listen although I’m not all the way through yet. I agree that golf courses/clubs should be going all in on this in our area. The local club has one but none of the publics do.
We’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of the 2 simulator places in Reading area but unfortunately that’s 40 mins away so “mileage” here is fairly literal…
[QUOTE=”lambeau, post: 12954927, member: 49299″]
I was formerly on the BoD, but am not currently. Plenty connected to the Board still though. We have the space and high ceilings, but my belief is that the manager doesn’t want to deal with setup/takedown in the wedding banquet room. Hell, they could put up a heated shed outside with a satellite bar and make money.
[/QUOTE]
I think courses regularly underestimate the desire and willingness of golfers to play when it’s cold out haha
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12955136, member: 2320″]
I think courses regularly underestimate the desire and willingness of golfers to play when it’s cold out haha
[/QUOTE]
I don’t think its the courses. We actually see the diehards going out in 17 degree weather…seriously saw golfers doing that this week. It’s more the owners or non golf budget people who don’t see the possibility.
Finally caught this episode this morning.
I want to know what the 4th topic was supposed to be.
[QUOTE=”amarkabove, post: 12975028, member: 75272″]
Finally caught this episode this morning.
I want to know what the 4th topic was supposed to be.
[/QUOTE]
It’s supposed to be for next time!
[QUOTE=”amarkabove, post: 12975028, member: 75272″]
Finally caught this episode this morning.
I want to know what the 4th topic was supposed to be.
[/QUOTE]
Lab Putter equivalents and AimPoint.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 12975038, member: 2320″]
Lab Putter equivalents and AimPoint.
[/QUOTE]
Yep. Definitely want to hear that.
So slow golf and sheep ?
That was a great listen.
I’ll admit, I’ve been VERY slow to accept sim golf. Part of that is living in a part of the country where you can golf year-round though. I could see it for practice or club fitting. But the few times I’ve ‘played a round’ on a sim, I didn’t get enough enjoyment to make me want to go back.
But if I still lived up north, it would beat putting the clubs away for the winter. And agree that using sim golf to add value for membership up north makes sense.