Back Nine Golf adds new option to simulator market in Tulsa

By Ken MacLeod

The National Golf Foundation reported this week that there are now more than 47.2 million golfers in the United States, up 57 percent from a decade ago. And that 36.2 million participated in at least one off course golf activity in 2025 and that 19.1 million of those have never played a real course.

That is the target rich environment into which Gary Dean, 65, who recently retired from a home health career, an avid golfer and now brave investor, has plunged a portion of his life savings with the recent opening of Back Nine Golf in Tulsa.

Located in the KingsPointe Village Shopping Center at 61^st Street and Yale Avenue in the heart of Tulsa, Dean found an ideal location for his franchise of Back Nine Golf, a rapidly expanding simulator franchise company. Back Nine uses the Pro 2.0 Simulator technology owned by Full Swing Golf, a company in which Tiger Woods invested in 2015 and one rated by some experts as boasting the best technology for simulator golf with instant ball flight playback and a high degree of clarity on the video screens.

Tom McDaniel, the former owner and director of golf at Pheasant Run Golf Course in Enid, has been serving as an unpaid adviser/volunteer as Dean has put his Back Nine Golf Southern Hills facility together and said the technology far surpasses any that he has seen at other facilities.

“That’s why Tiger got involved, because the technology is just head and shoulders above Track Man or any of the others,” McDaniel said.

Dean said the ball flight is instantly captured and analysed by overhead cameras and side sensors which recreate the flight instantaneously. And all of the numbers a serious golfer wants including ball speed, carry, spin rates, face angle, launch angle, etc., are instantly displayed.

The Full Swing technology offers more than 60 iconic courses to play as well as detailed practice facilities, plus an array of games for the less serious golfer.

Dean’s location has three bays with a fourth currently used for golf specific workouts. Membership are sold on several levels but all offer 24-7 access. There will be staff on hand at times during daylight hours but not always. How many guests and how long a bay is used depend on membership levels.  There is no food or liquor on site but special parties can be arranged through Dean.

In finding its niche in an off course Tulsa market that includes the triple deck Suite Shots facility in Jenks as well as simulator outfits Birdie Bay, Scratch Golf, Twisted Tee and Tour Quality, which also specializes in custom club design, Back Nine seems one designed for both the serious golfer to enjoy working on his/her game at their own time and pace, as well as fun for groups and competition.

Dean, who carries an 11 handicap at Bailey Ranch in Owasso, said he talked to a broker who helped him outline four potential investment opportunities to pursue in his retirement and this one appealed the most by far. Unable to line up immediate financing, he plunged in with his own money to purchase the franchise and outfit the facility. His grown children, one of whom followed him when he moved here from Washington three years ago, are helping with social media. The website with more information about membership levels and the Full Swing technology is www.thebackninegolf.com/tulsa-ok-southern-hills/

Dean, who plans to work with many organizations to give more exposure to the business, has already entered into a partnership with Folds of Honor, also based in Owasso. For the months of December, January and February, the business will be open from 10 a,m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to the public to participate in a closest-to-the-hole contest on the famed 17^th hole at TPC Sawgrass.

Cost is $1 per shot and all proceeds go to the Folds of Honor. Up for grabs to the winner is a year membership at Back Nine Golf, a foursome at The Patriot in Owasso and other merchandise, plus the winner’s name on a plaque on the wall in this first annual contest. It’s a great way to check out the facility and the technology.

Golfers can also receive private or group lessons at Back Nine Golf through an arrangement with Tanner Hughes, a PGA professional who works at South Lakes Golf Course in Jenks. Hughes is also donating a free lesson to the winner of the Folds of Honor contest.

Once memberships reach a certain level at the mid-town location, Dean said he will look at adding other franchises in the area.