
Wondering how much it costs to start a golf course business? The minimum startup costs for a golf course business: $62 The maximum startup costs for a golf course business: $23,259 The average startup costs for a golf course business: $12,272
How much does it cost to open 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: 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.
How much money can you make owning a mini golf course?
However, the relatively low ongoing expenses means that a steady stream of customers can easily make you over $100,000 a year, and some mini golf course owners report being able to pay off their initial investment within the first few years of opening this business. How can you make your business more profitable?
How many acres do you need to build a golf course?
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. Shorter courses require less land due to shorter fairways that can be narrower than a standard 18-hole golf course, thus saving on the cost to build a golf course.
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 much money do you need to start playing golf?
Beginner sets start around $150 and go up to about $1000. Beginner golf sets are lightweight and usually have quite a bit of flexibility. A beginner set may come with a golf bag, and everything needed to get started on the course.
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 much money can you make owning a golf course?
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 land does it take 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 do golf courses make money?
Ways To Raise Money For Your Golf Course. The most common income streams are green fees, membership fees, pro shop sales, and food and beverage sales. While increasing membership fees or green fees might seem like a good way to increase revenue, it might put off more golfers than the additional income earned.
How do golf businesses make money?
How to Make Money Playing GolfGet a Job as a Golf Pro. If you generally enjoy the game of golf and think you could handle a career in the industry, becoming a golf pro is a great choice. ... Play in Golf Tournaments. ... Place Friendly Bets with Your Friends. ... Become a Mystery Shopper. ... Get Sponsorships/Become an Influencer.
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.
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 can I make my golf course successful?
Offer Online Tee Time Booking. Online tee time booking is more important than ever. ... Look at Third-Party Booking Outlets. ... Offer Varying Golf Course Membership Options. ... Add a Loyalty Program. ... Use POS Reporting and Analytics. ... Automate Ordering and Inventory. ... Host Golf Events and Contests. ... Add Time-Based Discounts.More items...•
How much water do golf courses 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.
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).
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.
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...
What are the costs involved in opening a miniature golf course?
The costs of opening a mini-golf business vary, but typically run up $500,000. One professional group estimates that it will cost between $15,000 t...
What are the ongoing expenses for a miniature golf course?
The good news is that after the initial expenses to open a course, the ongoing expenses are relatively minor. Some of the costs will vary by busine...
Who is the target market?
In general, your best clients will be families. This is because the parents will help to control the behavior of children (which will not be true o...
How much can you charge customers?
The exact cost may vary by region, but it is typical to charge customers about $5 to $7 to play 18 holes. This pricing makes your business a very c...
How much profit can a miniature golf course make?
The exact amount of profit your business makes greatly depends on the region as well as what the local entertainment competition is. However, the r...
How can you make your business more profitable?
In order to maximize profitability, be sure to have an advertising presence in logical areas for potential customers, including schools, churches,...
Is this Business Right For You?
This job is definitely for someone who is enthusiastic about mini-golf. This helps you to not only enjoy your job but to facilitate minor repairs a...
What happens during a typical day at a miniature golf course?
The daily activities for a mini-golf business are pretty simple. You will be talking to customers, taking their payment, providing them with equipm...
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful miniature golf course?
Prior experience working at a mini-golf business or other type of recreational center can be helpful to in starting this business. Similarly, being...
What is the growth potential for a miniature golf course?
The exact growth potential of a mini-golf business varies by area. Nationally, businesses that focus purely on mini-golf have experienced a decline...
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 is a business structure for miniature golf?
The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your miniature golf course is sued.
What is a CO for mini golf?
Miniature Golf Courses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
What are the best resources for entrepreneurs?
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need. Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Can I start an LLC myself?
You can start an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee. Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services.
How much did Doyle pay for the golf course in Florida?
The $3.8 million Doyle paid for the course, in Florida’s third-biggest market, is slightly more than the average purchase price ($3.1 million) for the 114 golf course sales tracked by Leisure Investment Properties Group last year.
What is the National Golf Foundation's GolfMAP system?
The National Golf Foundation’s GolfMAP system, for example, provides a detailed look at demand-related variables such as participation rates, golfing households, rounds played, interest among non-golfers, and household income in a particular region.
Where did Dan Doyle Jr. play golf?
E very day for almost 20 years, Dan Doyle Jr. passed the same public golf course near Tampa, Fla., while driving his kids to school or heading to the office. The town-owned Belleview Biltmore Golf Club in Bellaire was the venue at which Doyle learned to play the game as a youngster and he’d frequently feel pangs of disappointment ...
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.
Who is the vice president of Billy Casper Golf?
That’s a question owners ask all the time,” says a weary Bryan Bielecki, vice president of agronomy at Billy Casper Golf, which manages nearly 150 golf courses in the U.S. “You can’t spend less and expect the same exact product. You have to sacrifice something.”.
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.