The Choi Bio

Kyu Choi grew up splitting his time between Korea and the American Midwest, absorbing two cultures that prize hard work and community. After earning a business degree, he spent two decades building consumer tech, logistics, and franchise ventures—honing supply chain negotiations, motivating frontline teams, and scaling multisite operations.

In 2022 he partnered with Kakao VX, Korea’s leading golf simulator company, to launch Golf VX Corp in Chicago, bringing highspeed sensor technology to American indoor golf. Today he directs simulator manufacturing, flagship venues, and a rapidly expanding franchise network.

Kyu’s leadership style blends data-driven rigor with a family first ethos: he’s a father of four, founder of the Monster Education Foundation, and a mentor who believes great businesses should create space for people to thrive—on the course and off.

The Choi Story

When my wife, Gina, and I got married, we wanted to find a sport we could enjoy together—and golf was the perfect fit. Over time, it became more than just a hobby. For Gina, it sparked a dream of becoming a teaching coach. Golf grew into a true passion and a source of joy for our family. We loved how it brought people together across generations.

In the winter of 2021, determined to keep playing, we joined a local indoor golf simulator. But the experience was disappointing. The system lagged, every shot was from a flat lie, putting was inconsistent, and I still had to collect balls by hand. It was fine for basic practice—but it lacked the excitement and energy that makes golf fun. I remember thinking: shouldn’t indoor golf be more advanced in the 21st century?

That question led me to South Korea. Although smaller than Illinois, Korea has only about 400 outdoor golf courses. To meet demand, they developed over 20,000 indoor venues—driven by necessity and fueled by innovation. Their leading systems featured 3,800 FPS sensors and motorized swing plates that adjusted in real time to replicate real course conditions. That was exactly the level of realism I had hoped for.

I knew this experience had to be brought to the US. That’s why I partnered with Kakao VX, Korea’s top simulator company, to launch Golf VX. Designed for speed, accuracy, and realism, Golf VX uses cutting-edge technology—responsive swing plates and ultra-fast sensors—to deliver an immersive golf experience that makes you forget you’re playing indoors. Our mission is simple: to make golf more fun, more accessible, and available year-round—for beginners, pros, and families like ours.

***

When you wake up in the morning, what drives your passion as the founder of Golf VX?

Watching families, friends, and first-timers crowd around a Golf VX bay—high-fiving a pure drive or laughing over a slippery putt—reminds me that Golf VX is more than hardware; it’s a community united by the joy of the game.

I want to put Golf VX into the hands of more golfers so they can experience the game they love anytime, anywhere, through simulator technology that feels as authentic as walking onto the first tee. We’re relentlessly refining that technology to erase the line between indoor and outdoor play.

What differentiates Golf VX’s products and technology from other players in the golf simulator space?

What sets Golf VX apart is how real it feels. The first thing people notice is the moving swing plate which tilts to simulate uneven lies, something most simulators can’t replicate.

When paired with our 3800 FPS camera sensor, you get precise, lifelike ball tracking. The touch keypad, designed for golf clubs, and automatic tee keep players on the mat to hit 30 percent more shots without breaking their rhythm.

Finally, with real-time response, ball flight begins the instant you swing, keeping feel and feedback perfectly connected.

You play a major role in shaping the brand’s identity—how do you balance innovation and usability when developing Golf VX’s tech products?

At Golf VX, innovation and usability go hand in hand. With over 20,000 simulator installed globally, we’ve built our reputation on advanced technology that’s easy to use.

As we expand into the US, we’re focused on preserving our core DNA of precision, performance, and clean design while adapting the simulator, mobile app, website, and sales process to fit the market.

Backed by our roots at Kakao, we continue to innovate without losing sight of the golfer’s experience.

Who is the ideal Golf VX customer, and what are they looking for in a simulator as a training tool and/or leisure play?

There are two sides to the business. Our franchise locations are open to everyone, from serious golfers to casual players, offering a tech-driven experience in a fun, welcoming environment.

On the simulator sales side, we work with sim venue operators and residential customers who usually have a serious passion for the game.

Commercial buyers want accuracy to keep players engaged and the swing plate and auto tee to differentiate their venues, while residential customers are looking for a premium, true-to-life golf experience at home.

When developing Golf VX’s visual design and user experience, how do you navigate the balance between a sleek, tech-forward look and familiarity for traditional golfers?

For us, the visual design and user experience come down to two things: the ease of use and the clean look of the simulator and the space around it. We work closely with clients on the design and materials to make sure everything looks polished.

The familiarity comes through in how the ball reacts. It moves the instant you hit it, which is what every golfer expects. Any delay feels foreign and breaks that connection.

Our goal is to create a space and a system that looks modern but stays true to the real feel of the game.

Do you see any notable differences in how men and women engage with golf simulator technology or performance analytics?

More men come through our lead channels and into our venues, but when it comes to performance analytics, women tend to engage at a higher rate.

Both groups value the ease of use and the efficiency of being able to play quickly without sacrificing quality, but we find that many players use the data as a tool to stay focused on improvement.

The golf industry has faced challenges around tariffs and supply chain issues—how is Golf VX positioned to manage or adapt to pricing pressures that could impact production or distribution?

Early on, we secured additional inventory and warehoused supply in the US which has allowed us to delay price increases longer than many competitors, and as that inventory runs down, we are prepared to adapt as needed.

Our manufacturing is based in Korea, giving us more control over production and quality, and we are closely monitoring tariffs and broader market conditions.

Customer experience is a core value for many brands—how does Golf VX define great customer service, and what’s your team’s approach?

Great customer service to our team is all about making things feel easy and friendly. Whether it’s a first-time visitor at one of our venues or a client installing a simulator, we focus on quick and clear responses with proactive follow-up.

Our team’s approach is simple, solve problems before they happen, communicate openly, and make sure every customer feels like they’re being taken care of from start to finish.

As someone involved in product development, how do you gather and apply user feedback to influence future innovations at Golf VX?

Using feedback from our customers and internal testing, we aim to continuously improve the golfer experience.

Every update is focused on making the simulator feel more realistic, efficient, and easy to use. It is a constant process of refinement based on what golfers expect and what the game demands.

Staying ahead of market trends is crucial—what short- and long-term shifts in golf technology or consumer behavior are you keeping a close eye on?

We’re closely watching the growth of off-course golf and the acceleration of that with formats like TGL. Gamification and social play are also becoming key drivers of engagement, with leaderboards and challenges keeping players connected and competitive.

Something we’ve also been working on is our AI Swing Analysis which is changing how golfers improve.

***

For more info go to:

Best Indoor Golf Simulators for Home or Business| Golf VX