Back Nine Golf: 475+ Franchises, Going Global

The indoor golf franchise boom has gone international.

Back Nine Network has sold 475+ franchises in 2.5 years across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. The UK operation alone — led by managing director Ashley Poulton — is targeting 100+ locations.

This is the fastest expansion of any indoor golf franchise, happening across four continents simultaneously.

The Numbers

• 475+ franchises sold in 2.5 years (US, UK, Canada, Australia)
• 218 currently open and operating
• UK target: 100+ locations
• Business model: 24/7 member access, pay-per-play, or monthly membership

The UK play is particularly interesting. Back Nine UK is adapting the model for the British market — smaller footprint locations, different pricing tiers, and a focus on the suburban golfer who can’t get to a traditional course after work.

How They Did It

Back Nine’s model is simpler than competitors like Five Iron or X-Golf. Instead of massive entertainment venues, Back Nine focuses on smaller footprint (3-5 bays), lower build cost ($150-300K vs $500K-$2M), 24/7 keycard access (no staff needed), and membership-first recurring revenue.

It’s the same model that made Anytime Fitness the biggest gym franchise in the world. Apply it to indoor golf, and you get explosive growth.

What This Means

For the home sim buyer, the Back Nine explosion is good news — more places to play when you’re away from home, more competition driving down prices.

The 475+ franchise number validates the thesis: indoor golf is not a fad. It’s a structural shift in how people play golf.