The Local Drive
The Local Drive operates three Colorado venues combining Trackman-powered indoor golf simulators with craft cocktail bars and event spaces, serving golfers, corporate event buyers, and social celebration groups across the Denver metro area.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Local Drive does
The Local Drive is a Denver, Colorado-based indoor golf entertainment and cocktail bar operator founded in 2021/2022 by Winston Manley and Joe Lynch. The company runs three Colorado venues — RiNo Denver (opened 2022), Longmont (opened October 2023), and the Stanley Hangar at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora (opened 2025) — combining Trackman-powered golf simulators with a craft cocktail bar and private event spaces. Core technology is Trackman 4 simulators using Optically Enhanced Radar Tracking (OERT) with access to 300+ virtual courses and a shot-tracking database exceeding one billion data points. Combined venue footprint is approximately 25,000 sq ft with 17-20 simulator bays across the network. The company reported over $1 million in revenue in the first year of operation at the original RiNo location.
Revenue is generated through seven streams: simulator bay rentals at $60/hour, professional golf lessons priced $75-$475 with PGA-affiliated instructors, monthly memberships, golf leagues and tournaments, private and corporate event hosting for groups of 7-300+, full bar and food/beverage sales featuring Colorado craft spirits and breweries, branded merchandise, and a portable simulator rental for off-site events. Pricing is pay-as-you-go with standardized $60/hour bay rates and tiered membership subscriptions. The company pursues a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer walk-in traffic, online booking via GolfOclock, corporate event sales, and event-driven community programming (trivia nights, leagues, tournaments). Distribution is venue-based with a franchise model being developed after the third location opened.
The Local Drive firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Local Drive
- Legal name
- The Local Drive
- Website
- https://thelocaldrive.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Local Drive operates three Colorado venues combining Trackman-powered indoor golf simulators with craft cocktail bars and event spaces, serving golfers, corporate event buyers, and social celebration groups across the Denver metro area.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Local Drive industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Indoor Golf Entertainment & Cocktail Bar
- NAICS
- Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- VR & Immersive Esports/LBE Venues (VR Arenas, Sim Racing Pods) (MPAFALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Gaming Café/Bar Hybrid Venues (Food & Beverage + Competitive Play) (MPAFALAD)
Keywords
Where The Local Drive is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Local Drive business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Golf Simulator Rentals: Trackman golf simulator bay rentals at $60/hour per bay. Each location has multiple bays. Primary revenue driver for the business.
- Golf Lessons: Professional golf instruction by PGA Associate Austin Smith and former touring pro Eric Muslawski. Pricing from $75-475 for 30-minute to 5-hour lessons with video analysis and Trackman data.
- Event Hosting & Private Bookings: Private event hosting for corporate events, birthday parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties, holiday parties, rehearsal dinners, and fundraisers. Venues accommodate 7-300+ guests with customizable packages.
- Food & Beverage Sales: Full cocktail bar with craft cocktails, local Colorado beers, wines, and spirits. Pre-packaged food and food trucks. Supports local spirits and breweries with 80%+ Colorado offerings.
- Merchandise Sales: Branded merchandise including hoodies ($40-48), t-shirts ($25), golf polos through ParHopper partnership. Sold via on-site shop and online.
- Memberships: Two-tier membership program with 90 minutes of daily play, Happy Hour rates, 10% discounts on leagues, lessons, and merchandise. Bring friends for $20 each.
- Portable Simulator Rental: Mobile Trackman simulator rentals for external events like trade shows, weddings, and corporate functions. Includes operator, clubs, balls, and accessories.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Golf Simulator Bay Rental - $60/hour |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Golf Lessons at RiNo - Eric Muslawski |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Golf Lessons at Hangar - Austin Smith |
| Subscription | Monthly | Membership Tiers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Branded Merchandise |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Portable Simulator Event Rental |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Local Drive product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Local Drive operates indoor golf entertainment venues combining Trackman-powered golf simulator bays with a craft cocktail bar featuring locally-sourced Colorado spirits and beers. Customers rent simulator bays hourly to play virtual courses, take lessons from PGA professionals, join monthly leagues, host private events, or relax at the bar. Three Colorado locations (RiNo Denver, Longmont, Stanley Hangar Aurora) collectively host 17-20 simulator bays, plus a portable simulator offering for off-site events and an integrated merchandise shop.
Product overview
The Local Drive is a cocktail bar and indoor golf entertainment venue offering a unified experience combining Trackman-powered golf simulators with a craft cocktail bar. The core product is the indoor golf simulator bay service, with integrated offerings including professional golf lessons, membership programs, monthly leagues, private event hosting, and a portable simulator for off-site events. The merchandise shop sells branded apparel. All three Colorado locations (RiNo Denver, Longmont, and Stanley Hangar) feature the same core Trackman simulator bays combined with premium bar service, creating a golf-and-cocktails experience rather than separate products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Indoor Golf Simulator Bay Rentals Hourly rental of Trackman-powered golf simulator bays at $60/hour per bay, providing access to 140-400+ virtual golf courses, swing analysis, practice modes, and skill challenges for individual consumers, golf enthusiasts, and walk-in guests across three Colorado venues.
- Professional Golf Lessons
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $1 million in first-year revenue
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Local Drive
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Local Drive technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
The Local Drive partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- TrackmancoreTechnology provider for golf simulators. TrackMan 4's Optically Enhanced Radar Tracking (OERT) provides precision tracking using a database of over 1 billion shots. Each simulator costs approximately $60,000 and rentals are $60/hour.
- ParHopper Golf ApparelcoreIn-house golf apparel partner. ParHopper creates unique, colorful golf polos and accessories. Products sold on-site and online. Co-branded events including ParHopper Scramble tournament. Founder Jay Piper is also author for The Local Drive blog.
- JPiper Branding & Design AgencyminorBranding and design agency developing award-winning brands, web design, and social media management for The Local Drive.
- Locke + Co. WhiskeycoreAspen-aged craft whiskey from sixth-generation Coloradans. Small-barrel aged bourbon highlighted in The Local Drive cocktail program.
- Ironton Distillery & CrafthousecoreColorado-native distillery opened in 2018. Award-winning spirits, liqueurs, and bitters distilled in-house by Head Distiller Laura. Premium craft spirits featured in cocktails.
- Telluride Brewing CompanycoreColorado craft brewery founded in 2011. Award-winning beers from Rocky Mountain snowmelt and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Featured on tap at The Local Drive.
- Tivoli Brewing CompanycoreColorado's original brewery serving the state for over a decade. Flagship Helles Lager and Mile Hi Hefeweizen featured on tap.
- Great Divide Brewing CompanycoreDenver's oldest and largest packaging brewery, one of America's most decorated. Bold Character philosophy. Featured in partnership for Beat The Yeti Challenge events.
- Branch & BarrelcoreColorado bourbon using 100% local grains from corn and barley. Aged in Char #3 new white oak barrels. Rich body with caramel, vanilla, butterscotch notes. Featured in Arnoldo Palmer and other signature cocktails.
- Grove Street AlchemycoreColorado Proud premium liqueur producer. Hand-built spirits with unique flavor profiles at reasonable prices. Featured in Cold Brew Martini cocktail.
- BeLocal DenverminorDenver local lifestyle magazine helping visitors discover local favorites, hidden gems, and activities. Partnership for local discovery and promotion.
- Peak BeverageminorColorado's premier beverage catering company providing spirits, wine, beer, mixers, glassware, and certified bartenders for events since 2012.
- Frontier TurfminorArtificial turf supplier for Denver Metro and Front Range Colorado. Industry-leading quality and warranties.
- Bushmills Irish WhiskeyminorWorld's oldest whiskey brand. Featured in premium whiskey selection at The Local Drive.
- Davis Partnership ArchitectureminorArchitecture firm supporting design and construction of The Local Drive locations.
- Stanley MarketplacecoreHost location for The Local Drive Hangar. 50+ other businesses, apartments, and vibrant community. Ally Fredeen (General Manager) actively supports The Local Drive expansion. Hosts Camp Christmas and other community events.
- RiNo Art DistrictminorArts district partnership supporting RiNo location. Artwork from local muralists displayed throughout the space.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Local Drive competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- X-Golf: Indoor golf simulator franchise chain with locations across the US, offering simulator bays, leagues, lessons, food, and a full bar. Directly comparable business model with a franchise-led growth strategy similar to The Local Drive's planned expansion.
- Puttshack: Tech-enabled indoor mini-golf entertainment chain with multiple US and UK locations, combining high-tech golf gameplay with full-service bars, restaurants, and private event spaces. Comparable as a multi-unit tech-forward golf entertainment venue with significant F&B revenue.
- Swingers: Indoor golf and cocktail bar concept with locations in London and New York, featuring golf entertainment venues with food, drinks, and competitive social play. Highly comparable as a 'golf bar' experiential venue targeting adult social occasions and corporate events.
- Five Iron Golf: Indoor golf simulator bar concept with multiple US locations, offering Trackman simulators, craft cocktails, food service, leagues, lessons, and private events. Closest direct competitor in concept, customer base (urban professionals), and venue format, though currently concentrated in East Coast markets.
- Big Shots Golf: Indoor golf entertainment venue chain combining golf simulators, full bars, restaurants, and event spaces in a multi-unit format. Comparable as a peer in the indoor golf + F&B venue category, particularly for corporate and social event hosting.
Others
- Full Swing Golf: Golf simulator technology provider whose indoor simulator products are used in both consumer homes and commercial venues. Comparable as an alternative hardware vendor to Trackman in the indoor golf simulator space.
- FlightScope: Provider of golf simulator and launch monitor technology used in indoor golf venues worldwide. Comparable as the underlying technology enabler competing with Trackman in the simulator hardware market that powers The Local Drive's offering.
Broad incumbents
- Topgolf: Largest indoor golf entertainment chain in the US, combining high-tech golf hitting bays with full-service bars, restaurants, and event spaces. Comparable as a multi-unit golf + F&B entertainment venue, though at much larger scale and with driving-range-style bays rather than Trackman simulators.
- Drive Shack: Indoor golf and entertainment venue operator with multiple US locations featuring golf bays, full kitchens, bars, and event spaces. Comparable as a publicly-traded multi-unit indoor golf entertainment venue, though at significantly larger scale and with different tech stack.
Emerging players
- Fairway Social: Indoor golf entertainment concept offering simulator bays, food, drinks, and social events in a multi-venue format. Comparable as a smaller-scale indoor golf social venue targeting similar urban, adult-leisure customer segments.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Local Drive social profiles
Digital presenceThe Local Drive financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Local Drive leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
The Local Drive funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Local Drive M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Local Drive
What does The Local Drive do?
The Local Drive operates indoor golf entertainment venues combining Trackman-powered golf simulator bays with a craft cocktail bar featuring locally-sourced Colorado spirits and beers. Customers rent simulator bays hourly to play virtual courses, take lessons from PGA professionals, join monthly leagues, host private events, or relax at the bar. Three Colorado locations (RiNo Denver, Longmont, Stanley Hangar Aurora) collectively host 17-20 simulator bays, plus a portable simulator offering for off-site events and an integrated merchandise shop.
Is The Local Drive a public or private company?
The Local Drive is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Local Drive founded?
The Local Drive was founded in 2022. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Local Drive based?
The Local Drive is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Local Drive make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Golf Simulator Rentals are the primary driver. The others are golf Lessons, event Hosting & Private Bookings, food & Beverage Sales, merchandise Sales, memberships and portable Simulator Rental.
Who are The Local Drive's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are X-Golf, Puttshack, Swingers, Five Iron Golf and Big Shots Golf. Others are Full Swing Golf and FlightScope. Broad incumbents are Topgolf and Drive Shack. Fairway Social is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Local Drive have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Local Drive.
What industry is The Local Drive in?
The Local Drive's product category is Indoor Golf Entertainment & Cocktail Bar. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFALAE, VR & Immersive Esports/LBE Venues (VR Arenas, Sim Racing Pods), with a secondary code of MPAFALAD, Gaming Café/Bar Hybrid Venues (Food & Beverage + Competitive Play). Its NAICS code is 7131 and its SIC code is 7900.