
How many acres do you need to build 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.
How much does it cost to build an 18 hole golf course?
One couple in New York built their own course, which they expect to cost $1.5 million by the time all 18 holes are installed. A third of their budget ($500,000) went towards land and a building. Additionally, this couple cleared the land, designed the course and built the holes themselves, which kept costs down.
What determines the cost of building a golf course?
Construction costs are also determined by the economic climate and industry status. Recently, with low interest rates and a lull in the building of golf courses, the market place is ripe for new developers to get excellent loans and very competitive bids from architects and construction companies.
How much does it cost to maintain a golf course?
It was conceived as a project for a father and son and was built on their own land over time. Or, you can learn about the Heritage Oaks Golf Course in Harrisonburg, Va. which was constructed for just over $3 million and costs nearly $500,000 to maintain annually.

How many acres is an average golf course?
150 acresAt the individual level, an average 18-hole golf course covers 150 acres, approximately 100 (67 percent) of which is maintained turfgrass. This area is predominantly comprised of rough (51 acres) and fairways (30 acres).
Is owning a golf course profitable?
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 many acres does it take to build a PGA golf course?
Most golfers expect a golf course to have 18 holes with a par of about 72, plus a practice range and practice greens. This typically requires from 140 to 180 acres of useable land. Nine holes with a par of 35 or 36 should take about half the acreage.
How many acres is a 7000 yard golf course?
The average length of a 18 hole golf course is 5,000 – 7,000 yards. The area is spread over 110 – 190 acres.
Do golf courses lose money?
The report showed 24 golf courses in California reported losses during fiscal year 2020, including a course in Bell Gardens, CA, that reported more than $139,000 in losses.
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.
How many acres is Augusta golf course?
345-acreSince 1934, once a year in the spring, eyes around the world focus on a 345-acre plot of grass, trees and greenery in Augusta, Georgia.
Are golf courses bad for the environment?
Environmentalists argue that golf course land is not only a waste of space, but also harbors harmful impacts to the earth and environment, such as pesticide use. This negative impact occurs by using large quantities of water and destroying habitats for wildlife species.
How many acres is a par 3 hole?
A short par 3 course can be built on as little as 25 acres, while a full-length elite course can require up to 140 acres of land. But the land requirements vary based on your location, size of course, and the difficulty of the course.
How many acres is an 18 hole course?
For the US this is slightly larger at 150 acres. In the UK that means the average golf hole takes up around 6 acres of land and that doesn't include any practice areas or the club house.
How much water does a golf course use?
In California, an average 18-hole golf course sprawls over 110 to 115 acres and conservatively uses almost 90 million gallons of water per year, enough to fill 136 Olympic-size swimming pools, said Mike Huck, a water management consultant who works with golf courses statewide.
What is the world's largest golf course?
From the tips, Erin Hills -- the site of this year's U.S. Open -- spans over 7,800 yards.
How can I make my golf course more profitable?
Strategies to Boost Revenue at Your Course This SeasonSell packages.Custom memberships.A well-designed loyalty rewards program.Branded merchandise.Sponsorships.Add an eCommerce page to your website.Open up an online booking channel.Upselling and cross-selling.More items...
How do you finance a golf course purchase?
The Best Financing Options to Launch Your Golf Course or Resort...Conventional financing.Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.Life insurance companies.CMBS loans.Private equity financing.
How much money does golf generate?
Revenue from golf course and country clubs is projected to reach approximately 24.65 billion U.S. dollars in the United States by 2024. As of 2019, the number of golf participants in the U.S. stood at approximately 24.3 million.
Is the golf industry growing?
Is the golf industry growing? Recently, the golf industry has been growing after a long period of decline. The number of golf rounds played in 2021 was 18% higher than in 2017-2019. Additionally, in 2020, golf experienced its biggest net increase since 1997.
Due to the spread of the coronavirus, is this business essential?
No. Under current guidelines across multiple states, this business is not classified as essential while emergency orders are active.For more inform...
What are the costs involved in opening a golf course?
The costs associated with opening a golf course are significant. The largest upfront expense is usually land, as courses can require 200 acres of l...
What are the ongoing expenses for a golf course?
The ongoing expenses for a golf course business largely consist of maintenance fees for the course and any buildings on the property. In 2016, the...
Who is the target market?
A golf course’s ideal customer is an affluent golfer. Such a person enjoys the sport, and they have the money necessary to go golfing regularly.
How much can you charge customers?
According to Golfweek, most privately owned golf courses charge an average of $40 per round with a cart on the weekend. Weekday prices tend to be s...
How much profit can a golf course make?
In 2015, 69 percent of golf courses broke even (24 percent) or earned a profit (45 percent). The profitability of these courses varies greatly, dep...
How can you make your business more profitable?
Golf course businesses can add additional revenue streams and increase profits by hiring golf pros who offer lessons, putting in a pro shop that se...
Is this Business Right For You?
Anyone who is well-versed in a variety of aspects of business and enjoys golfing themselves may be qualified to run a golf course. It’s important t...
What happens during a typical day at a golf course?
During the golf season, there are lots of day-to-day activities that must be done. A few include: watering and mowing fairways, roughs and greens c...
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful golf course?
Business owners that build a golf course from scratch should be familiar with golf course design. Even if they hire a golf course architect to actu...
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.
Is this Business Right For You?
Anyone who is well-versed in a variety of aspects of business and enjoys golfing themselves may be qualified to run a golf course.
How can a golf course business increase its revenue?
Golf course businesses can add additional revenue streams and increase profits by hiring golf pros who offer lessons, putting in a pro shop that sells equipment, installing a driving range adjacent to the course, or having a restaurant on site.
How many employees are needed to run a golf course?
Golf Course Industry reports that the average course’s maintenance staff consists of 17 employees, which includes six year-round employees, ten seasonal employees, and one part-time employee and / or independent contractor for odd jobs. This doesn’t take into account additional employees that are needed to collect course fees, operate restaurants or provide lessons.
How do golf courses set themselves apart from other golf courses?
Golf courses can set themselves apart from other courses in their area by having more challenging holes. Because existing courses usually aren’t able to change their course layouts, this is an opportunity that business owners who do open new courses -- and, therefore, get to design their courses’ holes -- can take advantage of.
How to market a golf course?
Golf course businesses can be effectively marketed through social media and online advertisements directed at area residents. Pur chasing advertisements on local sports radio stations is another effective way to raise awareness of a course.
How many golf courses broke even in 2015?
In 2015, 69 percent of golf courses broke even (24 percent) or earned a profit (45 percent). The profitability of these courses varies greatly, depending on their location, prestige, fees and amenities. Some just barely broke even on the year, while others brought in sizable profits.
How much land do you need to build a golf course?
The costs associated with opening a golf course are significant. The largest upfront expense is usually land, as courses can require 200 acres of land or more. Other major expenses include:
Golf Championships on SMGD courses
At Close House – Colt Course. Sept 2017. A prestigious European Tour Championship hosted by Lee Westwood.
The Cost of Building a Golf Course
It’s one of the most difficult questions to answer, but one of the most commonly asked, how much does it cost to build a golf course? The answer depends on a variety of factors; three of the most important being, what type of course the client wants, what type of land the course is to be built upon, and the competency of the golf course architect.
What is the final stage of a golf course?
The final stage of making their design a reality is to establish a maintenance regime with the course superintendent to create the overall course character.
What are the factors that determine the cost of a golf course?
Golf course design fees are dependent on a variety of factors, such as the type and scale of the project, its technical complexity, the planning approval process, the working practices of the individual golf course architect and the services and conditions imposed by clients.
What is masterplan in golf?
Once the feasibility studies are complete, the Masterplan investigates how the design concept will convert into a course people are able to play on and enjoy. This is the stage when the golf course layout, including locations for the clubhouse and maintenance facilities, the playing surfaces and landscape character, location, style and size of features, e.g. lakes, streams, walls, bridges and pathways, will be prepared along with construction programmes and budgets.
What is a golf course architect?
Your golf course architect will provide a detailed design package to reflect local planning submission requirements and make the planning process easier. Your golf course architect will also assist with the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment should it be required.
What are the physical elements of a golf course?
Technical – is the site you are considering suitable for a golf course? A golf course architect will examine the physical elements of the site, such as land area, topography, soils, geology, vegetation, drainage and water availability.
How are golf course fees calculated?
Fees are usually calculated in one of three ways: As a percentage of the construction costs. A fixed price. A time rate. To understand more about the amount you will need to invest in engaging a golf course architect, read our advice on golf course design fees. Download:
Why do flat sites require significant earth movement?
Flat sites – these may require considerable earth movement to facilitate surface drainage and to create fill material to build features. Rock or poor soil conditions. Lack of suitable water. The need to conserve important natural habitats and public rights of ways.