
The lowest-priced golf courses cost $7 million. Others cost as much as $25 million. Building greens is one of the most important tasks, and it can cost as much as $60 per square foot.
Full Answer
How much does it cost to run a professional golf course?
Alas, this isn’t a column about fantasy but about money and golf. The cost to achieve the condition players expect — or will tolerate — ranges from about $500,000 a year for a daily-fee course to $1,000,000 a year for a private club, estimates Bob Randquist, chief operating officer of the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America.
Who pays the price of a golf course?
No matter the outcome, homeowners will be the ones who pay the price, either by finally supporting the course and the club in their backyard or by the loss in the value of their homes. Forbes Real Estate Council is an invitation-only community for executives in the real estate industry. Do I qualify?
Why are golf courses so expensive to build?
Building a golf course requires a sizable piece of land that slopes as golfers do not want to play on a level course. If the land is too flat, you will have to transport soil in to create slopes, thus dramatically increasing the cost of building a golf course.
How much does it cost to join a Country Club?
Some clubs let the member pay the fee over the span of anywhere from a few months to a few years. The initiation fee can be anywhere from $2,000 on up to $100,000 or more, depending on the exclusivity of the country club. Sometimes clubs will waive the initiation fee if they are in need of new members. Again, this is dependent on the club.

How profitable is owning a golf course?
Profitable golf courses are generally selling for six to eight times EBITDA, while courses that aren't profitable tend to sell at 0.8 to 1.4 times revenue.
How much money do golf courses make?
Golf Course Owners make between $30,000 to several hundred thousand dollars per year. However, golf course owners sometimes will lose money if the course has a bad year. Overall, the golf course industry is very volatile, and there is no guarantee that money will be made.
How much does the PGA pay to use a golf course?
Money for hosting an event ranges widely. If you're talking about a U.S. Open, the amount the USGA pays in facility fees is substantial — north of $2 million when it “rents” a club. But clubs also share in the event's revenue and receive additional funds to prepare and restore its course.
Is buying a house on a golf course a good investment?
Golf course properties typically have great resale value, selling at two to three times that of an average home – which is a magnet for investors.
How many acres do you need for a golf course?
“This means an 18-hole course of all short par 3s could be built on as little as 30 acres, while an intermediate length or executive course of 18 holes of par 3s and 4s would require 75-100 acres, and a full size par 72 course would need 120-200 acres.
Why are golf courses so expensive?
Why is golf so expensive? Golf is costly due to the high cost of quality golf clubs, accessories, course fees, memberships, and the amount of golf that is played. Golf clubs are made from quality materials meant to last a lifetime, and courses often require membership, the cost of which reflects the club's exclusivity.
Who is the richest caddy in golf?
1. Jimmy Johnson. What is this? Jimmy Johnson is currently caddying for Justin Thomas, but he has a successful history on tour.
How much does it cost to play golf at Augusta?
Non-Member Rates at Augusta MunicipalWeekday Rates (Monday-Thursday)18 Holes Walking$219 Holes Walking$14Hero Card$27League Play$2715 more rows
How much do caddies get paid?
A caddie on the PGA Tour receives a base salary — usually around $1,000 to $2,000 — to cover travel expenses. He will earn 5% of the winnings if his golfer finishes outside of the top 10 and 7% of the winnings for a top-10 finish. The caddie earns 10% of winnings when his golfer wins a tournament.
How do you value a golf course?
As with most property types, golf courses can be valued via the income approach, sales approach, or cost approach. Each method has its limitations. Given the specialized nature of golf course properties, the application of the comparable sales approach is preferred.
What does it take to run a golf course?
The cost to achieve the condition players expect — or will tolerate — ranges from about $500,000 a year for a daily-fee course to $1,000,000 a year for a private club, estimates Bob Randquist, chief operating officer of the Golf Course Superintendent's Association of America.
Is living on a golf course worth it?
In addition to having your next round of golf right outside your door, living on a golf course often affords views of sprawling green vistas. Even if golf isn't your game, the benefits of living in a golfing community may be something worth considering.
How Much Land Does It Take To Build A Golf Course?
How much to build a golf course depends significantly on the cost of the land. An average 18-hole golf course requires approximately 140 and 180 acres, while a 9-hole course requires 70 and 100 acres. A 9-hole par-3 course can be built on as little as 65 acres, while an 18-hole pitch and putt require around 25 to 30 acres.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Golf Course?
In 2001, Michigan State University found that the median cost to build a golf course was $14 million. But it varied between $7 and $25 million. It is difficult to provide an exact cost to the question, how much is it to build a golf course since there are many options and expenses.
FAQs
Owning a golf course can be quite profitable and rewarding if the construction costs can be kept low without sacrificing quality.
What to do when buying a golf course?
The first thing to do when you want to buy a golf course is to carry out financial analysis on the business. A potential buyer’s first analysis of a business will likely be numbers driven. Buyer will evaluate income and expense in gross, by categories, by trends, etc. If you are interested in the business, you should ask for detailed financial information.
When buying a golf course, should a buyer review existing contracts?
When buying a golf course, a buyer should review existing contracts to determine which can and which must be assumed by Buyer. When leases expire and whether Buyer can negotiate more favorable terms with lessors will factor into Buyer’s analysis and the purchase price. There may be some contracts you will require a Buyer to assume, and you need to have your list of deal points prepared before negotiations begin.
Is private equity financing more flexible than traditional financing?
This is one of the most popular financing options for businesses. Private equity financing allows you far more flexibility than traditional loans. With few stipulations, private equity lenders are free to lend on whatever they see as a viable business opportunity and set their own loan parameters. Essentially, they have a lot of buying power and are willing to take on more risk than other lending sources.
How much does it cost to start a semi private golf course?
Here is an example of what you can expect: Semi-Private Golf Course Initiation Costs. Initiation fees at a semi-private club range from $500 – $15,000.
What to know when shopping for a private golf course?
When shopping for a private golf course, it’s important to know that each course can be very different in terms of what it offers, its rules and financial requirements or expectations for members, and what you get in return. Here are some details to consider when exploring golf course options in your area: how challenging the course is, how well it’s maintained, if there’s a fee to join, the monthly membership fee, what amenities it offers, and whether there are other benefits and/or financial requirements throughout the year.
What are the amenities of a private golf course?
Private golf courses often offer many amenities other than golf, such as tennis, pool, squash, and dining facilities . Each private golf course usually has its own unique personality or style as well. Some are casual and laid. back, whereas others are more conservative and require a formal dress code in the country club facility.
How much does a semi private club cost?
If your semi-private club has a food and beverage minimum, it may be between $25 and $100 per month. The miscellaneous fees that come with semi-private membership will be in line with those described in private club costs.
What is private golf?
This means that people can’t just walk in off the street to play but instead they will need to belong, or to be invited by a member. Private golf courses often offer many amenities other than golf, such as tennis, pool, squash, and dining facilities. Each private golf course usually has its own unique personality or style as well. Some are casual and laid
Do you need a sponsor for a golf course?
You may need a member sponsor and may also have to provide references, since belonging to a golf course requires a substantial financial requirement. Membership to a golf course also means that you’ll likely need to follow the highest golf and social etiquette while on their grounds. Most private clubs also have initiation costs, ...
Do golf courses have a waiting list?
Keep in mind that some golf courses also have stringent requirements for membership, such as being recommended by a current member in good standing, and some also have a long waiting list, so you may want to have a few choices and see what makes sense for your situation.
What is the most important thing in a golf course?
The greens. They are the most essential element of any course, but because of labor and equipment they are also the most expensive things to maintain — even if some of our demands are a costly waste. Firm and fast is the golf standard for greens.
How many rounds are played on Pebble Beach?
Though it’s a public course, Pebble Beach is given the white-glove treatment, and it needs it. Typically, 60,000 rounds are played on it annually, in addition to three pro tournaments: the AT&T, the TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational and the PURE Insurance Championship. “It doesn’t slow down,” says Chris Dalhamer, the director of golf course maintenance at Pebble Beach. “Our biggest event is in February, which is one of our wettest months of the year. We have a staff that knows how to react in any situation.”
