[ZZtop]

For the past couple of years, I have been considering starting up a practice facility here in my home-town.

A bit of background about the area. We have 5 local courses. 1 driving range with traps and practice greens. 2 of the courses have driving ranges. We also used to have an indoor "Winter Golf School". It had one simulator, a couple practice greens, and some hitting nets. The indoor facility packed up and moved this past year to the home course of the Pro, which is half an hour away.

I have no experience in this at all, aside from a love of golf. Originally my wife had encouraged me to look into building a range. But with 3 local ranges, I feel like there is maybe a niche market not being served now.

An indoor facility, with greens, some simulators, a launch monitor etc might really serve our market here. Being able to play a round on the simulator was always a treat for me the past couple of years. The day of my brother's wedding we played 18 holes on the sims, and it was a great time.

I am envisioning something that could serve both the avid golfer (with putting greens, varying artificial turfs to hit from, full swing nets, and launch monitor), and the recreational (people who want to use the simulators, perhaps mini-golf).

There is also somewhat of a void in the marketplace here for golf purchases during the winter months. There isn't a local clubfitter. To get clubs gripped, you need to go to a local box store to get it done. I would also like to include re-gripping, and general pro-shop facilities.

Now, what sort of things would you want at an indoor facility?

I would really appreciate any input from anyone who would like to chime in. What would draw you to a facility? What would keep you away?

[Scfdglkn]

A practice bunker would be awesome. According to DawgDaddy, they have one at the PGA SuperStore he visits to try out wedges. I'd love a bunker at a practice facility.

[Anavaralo]

Its funny, the one outdoor practice facility has a putting green that always has really bad winter kill, every year. You pay to use the facility, and the greens are always closed. I always wondered if it would have been cheaper in the long run to install an artificial green instead of trying to create/grow/maintain a live green.

A practice bunker would be a great idea. Thanks Damaikis.

[gIWnXYkw]

I'd think a mixture of indoor/outdoor would be best.

You definitely want indoor hitting bays / simulators for when it gets cold, along with 1 or more indoor putting greens. Outdoors, if there's lots of ranges in the area, just having a fantastic chipping green with a bunker and putting green would be enough to draw me. Of course if you can have an outdoor range too, all the better.

If I had a facility near me that had indoor/outdoor plus a good chipping and putting green when it was warm enough, I'd drive a good ways to practice there, since it would have everything in one place.

Oh, and consider offering yearly memberships for those who are really dedicated practicers. It sucks when there's no membership and you have to pay $10 for every bucket of balls.

[Vagtlaldo]

I'd think a mixture of indoor/outdoor would be best.

You definitely want indoor hitting bays / simulators for when it gets cold, along with 1 or more indoor putting greens. Outdoors, if there's lots of ranges in the area, just having a fantastic chipping green with a bunker and putting green would be enough to draw me. Of course if you can have an outdoor range too, all the better.

If I had a facility near me that had indoor/outdoor plus a good chipping and putting green when it was warm enough, I'd drive a good ways to practice there, since it would have everything in one place.

Oh, and consider offering yearly memberships for those who are really dedicated practicers. It sucks when there's no membership and you have to pay $10 for every bucket of balls.

either a membership or a frequent golfers card or something that entitles em to a bucket after every 10 bought or, having different memberships, ie $350 bucks worth of range balls for say, $200, or $800 for $500...the heated, all-season range by me has 2 different 'golfer card' options and they make out like CRAZY in the winter...and we have 3 (or more) ranges within 10 miles.

[Bgfbukpf]

what would draw me in = three biggest things would be = 1. good winter accomodations, and 2. well maintained and 3. being close to my residence.
I think it obvious that the more you offer, the better you will draw. But of course the more you offer, the bigger the expense and the bigger the risk not to mention more maintainance. Of course also a couple/few local pro's to hook up with for lessons etc ... would be a must for your business.
Good winter accomodations of course very important to try to earn the income in off season but for me and a ton of people it has to be close enough to my residence. I think you have to be really sure of location and population. Are there are enough people in the immediate area that will come in? and I mean enough to earn an income and make it worth your invested money, time and efforts. I say this because too many of us and the general public just do not have the time to go but will do so more often if a facility is close enough. Even a lot of avid golfers simply can not get go to a facility due to time. But if close enough, they will go. Then you have those who golf but dont take it seriously enough to be bothered traveling to a facility. But when close enough to them, will also go and more often. Then also a percentage who will come in and get hooked on golf simply because you are close enough to spark the intrest or to simply come in and have some fun striking balls.
I mention all this because I think in order to be successful IMO you really have to count on all people, serious about golf or not. And having the time to go is an issue for tons. So making sure your investment is in or close enough to a populated enough area that will draw simply due to location convenience is huge factor IMO.
Where I live, one has to drive anywhere fron 25 to 45 minutes to find such places and although in populated areas, these places are still rarely very crowded. So with that said, being in a place that is not very populated can only be worse for you IMO.
Also money is always an issue with most peopkle for anything we do and as someone mentioned above, I think some sort of deals or promotions would help also. Such as (as mentioned) free bucket every so often or whatever etc...
Thats my .02 or 3 or 4
If you do it, I wish you tons of luck and good fortune and hope it will be a very nice place.
I wish you would open up in my immediate area so i can go more often and also get the free one now and then.. LOL

[Sandra_18X]

Outdoor: Range, Putting green, chipping/pitching green, practice bunker, large green with 3-4 flagsticks and 4-5 different tees ranging from 120-220 yards away for practice into a green where you can see how the ball will react on the green with your own ball as opposed to range balls on long grass.

Indoor: Sims, nets w/ Trackman, practice green, pro shop with demo clubs, Training aids for rent, etc...

[kathy]

Indoor/Outdoor

Outdoor
-Well Marked Range w/ fairway & rough lies
-Chipping Green w/lots of variety (fringe, bunkers etc)
-Large Putting green, some level, some undulated things you wish putting greens had
-Practice holes
-Trackman
-Approach green for practicing shots 100yds and in

Inside
-Sims (make sure they are tallll, my dad (6'5") hits the top of ours when he swings)
-Nets
-Launch Monitor
-Fitting station
-Small store (for balls, tees etc)
-Putting green
-If you could chipping green
-Sand
-Lessons
-Demo clubs
-Training Aids


This would be the ultimate place. I realize most of this would not be doable at first, but if it grows, this place would be the bomb.

[NEWyear]

Beer. If you drink beer while playing golf, you should drink beer while practicing. Great slogan BTW.

[AntonayPina]

Simulator is key for me, especially one that I could play 18 on at a great course.

Depending on the size of the facility or building I would love an area I could hit full shots and they actually fly more than a few feet into a net, I don't know if it's 100 yard or maybe 150 yards.

[GZFL2tDA]

I think some events would be fun, watch parties for the local schools football team, closest to the pin contests during the week.

[markphata]

outdoor-

practice green
chipping green
range

indoor-

sims
putting green
small shop
nets

[blackjackiisre]

Where abouts are you? When you get this thing started I'll be your first customer!

[whimpykid]

I think some events would be fun, watch parties for the local schools football team, closest to the pin contests during the week.

Football in Canada is not what it is in the US. Tyke games in the US get more turnout.









While attending university I studied this concept deeply. Simulators, practice ranges, etc. There is simply not enough diehard fans to make the heavy risk in this less. Sure it can be done, but its a gamble with a large amount of money and it's no project I would ever take on. I dont want to be a downer, but good luck and I wish you the best!

The only idea I can suggest is to partner up with the local courses and generate a reciprocal with them and their members. It will keep monthly revenue flowing and help when your place is in the offseason.

[scewDeasp]

if it's indoor, maybe turf instead of grass..

[shihoodiacarf]

Simulator is key for me, especially one that I could play 18 on at a great course.

Depending on the size of the facility or building I would love an area I could hit full shots and they actually fly more than a few feet into a net, I don't know if it's 100 yard or maybe 150 yards.

yeah this is a great Idea, I've seen a few ranges that had a nice distance between the net and the "hitting area"' It really made a difference. This is something I'd suggest. if possible

[zdoppiklonikaa]

I'd suggest an arcade or a putt-putt course for children/significant others to play on while Dad or Mom practices. Increased revenue and easier for the golfer to get away if the kids are begging to go do their own thing.

[Itrtuawh]

I think that it might be a good idea to start out as a small gym (at least cardio and machines) in addition to what has been mentioned. It has the ability to draw in the more recreational golfers, since its multi purpose. Some people may just join for the fitness aspect. Since you do seem to have a lot of golf in the area, you could initiate a program to introduce people to fitness through golf.

Also, some sort of discount for junior golfers would be a draw, so that practice time could also be bonding time, reducing the chance of an angry wife when you return home.

Oh, I almost forgot....Golden Tee.

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Tapatalk 2

[Buincchotourb]

I think artificial greens would be key. Bunkers as well and of course the range with artificial greens as targets. A lounge area, refreshments and maybe some soft goods. I'd have a rental club program as well. But I would buy with the idea of expanding outside in the summer or warmer months.

[9mm_fan]

While attending university I studied this concept deeply. Simulators, practice ranges, etc. There is simply not enough diehard fans to make the heavy risk in this less. Sure it can be done, but its a gamble with a large amount of money and it's no project I would ever take on. I dont want to be a downer, but good luck and I wish you the best!

The only idea I can suggest is to partner up with the local courses and generate a reciprocal with them and their members. It will keep monthly revenue flowing and help when your place is in the offseason.

I have no doubt it will be difficult and expensive, for what little return there might be.

Its really a pipe-dream for me. 2 hours away in Winnipeg, they have stuff like the Golf Dome, with indoor hitting, 2 simulators, mini golf, pro shop, stuff like that. In Brandon (where I am) there is no all-year long facility. Its been a dream for a lot of years, and at a certain point sheer frustration at my current employment might force my hand and prompt me to actually do something towards making it a reality.