GOLFZON Leadbetter Academy is proud to announce its new
collaboration with Golf Envy, one of the premiere indoor
golf locations in the country. In this Q&A,
co-founders Ryan Wines and Cole Arranaga share why they
chose Leadbetter for instructional programming at their
facilities.

Ryan Wines, Founder & CEO (left), Cole Arranaga,
Co-founder & COO

Question:
Tell us more about your backgrounds: how did you
come to start Golf Envy?</strong ></strong ></strong >

Ryan Wines:  I spent the last 28
years in the automotive space where I owned a couple of
car dealerships. My wife started playing golf with me in
2020 and as we played, we realized the steep financial
barrier to entry when it came to traditional green-grass
golf.

We brainstormed ways we could make golf more inclusive for
the majority of golfers instead of just the one percenters
with access to a country club. That’s how Golf Envy was
created. Our members can have 24/7 access to tee times on
the world’s best technology.

Cole Arranaga:  I
came across Golf Envy on social media and I thought it was
the perfect franchising concept. I reached out to Ryan and
asked if he was interested in franchising the business. We
“dated” for a few months: went to dinners, had meetings,
talked a lot, and ultimately decided we had the right
product and team behind the concept. We formed the
franchisor in March 2024, and that brings us to today. We
have 19 franchises sold and even more on the way.

Q:
What were the biggest barriers and challenges you
faced when turning Golf Envy into a
franchise?</strong ></strong ></strong >

Cole: What was most intimidating to me
was selling franchises – our team worried we would only
get a few interested parties to start, but it was the
opposite. We got over 600 inquiries to
buy a franchise in our first month. It just blew up.

Ryan: I didn’t expect to need to expand
the team so quickly. The team grew larger and faster than
we expected, which is a good problem to have!

Q:

How did your perspective on golf instruction evolve as
you worked with the Leadbetter team? What can your
customers expect from the collaboration as instruction
is added?</strong ></strong >

Cole: Ryan and I knew we wanted to add an
instruction element to our memberships and league play
when we began to franchise. However, we didn’t want our
franchisees to be burdened with finding and hiring
instructors. How could we deliver virtual instruction but
still have it be high quality? We came across Leadbetter
through our connection with GOLFZON.
</strong >
Virtual instruction is key to us.
Our franchisees will deliver virtual instruction to our
members thanks to GOLFZON Leadbetter. Members and new
customers receive a free swing analysis from a
Leadbetter-certified instructor and can test out said
instruction. We’ll offer flexible plans for monthly
instructional sessions to meet guests’ needs. These plans
also let golfers send their coach unlimited videos of
their swing to get instant feedback throughout the week
instead of waiting for the next lesson.

Q:
What are some of the programs that you’re looking
forward to getting off the ground?</strong ></strong >

Ryan: Logging personal swing data through
the GOLFZON app will continue, but having virtually 24/7
access to instructors is a true game-changer. Since
GOLFZON Leadbetter Academy has facilities worldwide, it
allows us to leverage all time zones so our members can
come any time and still receive a lesson.

The partnership with Leadbetter will continue to
enhance some of the current programs we have, such as
league play, monthly tournaments, and training for the
GOLFZON Tour.

Q:
How do you see this partnership with Golf Envy and
GOLFZON Leadbetter growing golf and introducing the
game to new players?</strong ></strong ></strong >

Ryan: Other golf facilities are typically
limited to the same hours that many people work, which
hinders development and practice time. Golf Envy can tap
into that audience who may be struggling to find a
facility open before or after work. This partnership
provides more feedback than your typical range session,
with your data and stats carrying over through the GOLFZON
mobile app between visits.

On outdoor courses, our members know how they hit the ball
or what the spin is from their time on the simulators. The
instruction carries over to all areas of play, regardless
of setting, making it an expansive service.

Cole:</strong >
Getting an on-course lesson is expensive and time
consuming. At Golf Envy, you can log a twenty-five minute
session, get nine holes in, and have somebody coaching you
on all areas of your game, not just swing.

Many people hesitate to engage in instruction
because it’s intimidating being outside with others.
Having private lessons with a virtual instructor removes
that barrier and makes players more comfortable.

Q:
What are some of the main programs and events that
are coming up now through the end of the year at Golf
Envy?</strong ></strong >

A: The biggest event is GOLFZON Tour
Season 2. After winning the first season last year, our
team is hungry to repeat as champion again in November.
Our athletes have embraced GOLFZON’s equipment and they’re
true competitors. One of our players last year even took
virtual lessons through a Leadbetter instructor to help
lead our team to victory in the Tour, which solidified why
we wanted to continue working with Leadbetter.

With 19 new Golf Envy franchisees sold, we hope to finish
the year strong and hit the ground running in 2026. The
next opening is in September in South Tempe, Arizona, but
we’ll have new locations coming in seven other states.

Q:
What do you hear from Golf Envy customers about the
simulator technology? What do they love most about
using GOLFZON simulators?</strong ></strong >

Ryan: Everyone loves the immersion,
moving swing plate, the auto-tee – those features are
second to none. You can’t practice with that anywhere
else. Being able to visualize your weight distribution
during a swing is unbelievable as well. You can start
improving quickly with this information, so our members
retain that feedback and data. You can figure out your
carry, flight path, and more for every club in your
bag.

Q:
Is there anything else about Golf Envy that you’d
like to mention?</strong ></strong ></strong >

Ryan: Our facilities also have
reciprocity, so members can continue their golf journey if
they move near another Golf Envy location. If you’re a
member in La Verne for example, you can go to any other
Golf Envy site in the country and play.

The timing of working with Leadbetter couldn’t be more
right with how the indoor golfing space is evolving and
our own company is growing. I just want to stress the
relationship and partnership Golf Envy has with GOLFZON
and GOLFZON Leadbetter – we’re looking forward to
expanding our reach into additional states and
territories.

Visit Golf Envy’s
website</a >
and follow them on
Instagram</a >
to learn more about
franchising, becoming a member, and upcoming location
openings.</strong >

Contact us here</a >
to find a Leadbetter-certified coach, attend a lesson with
us, or become a golf coach yourself with
GOLFZON Leadbetter Education</a >.