how to create a professional golf course

Start a golf course by following these 10 steps:

• STEP 1: Plan your business. A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the...
• STEP 2: Form a legal entity. The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited...
• STEP 3: Register for taxes. You will need to register for a variety of state and...

Full Answer

How do I develop a golf course?

Top of the list for any potential golf course developer should be the engagement of a golf course architect (search the EIGCA member database ). Your golf course architect will lead your development from concept to completion and ease any bumps along the way, helping to avoid the project becoming unnecessarily complicated, drawn out and expensive.

How do I become a certified golf pro?

In order to obtain this certification, however, golf pro candidates must endure years of training and hard work. From teaching to managing tours, potential pros must exhibit a high degree of competency in every aspect of the industry.

How do I start a golf course business?

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. What will you name your business? Choosing the right name is important and challenging.

How to run a successful custom golf instruction business?

Golf instruction business should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, and service level expectations.

How much money does it take to build a golf course?

The median cost to build a golf course is $14 million, not including buying the land. 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.

Is it profitable to own 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 does it cost to build a professional golf green?

Putting Green Installation CostAverage Cost$4,300High Cost$9,000+Low Cost$1,800

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 stay in business?

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 many acres is a 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).

How much is a golf green worth?

Bigger artificial putting greens (500-square-feet or more) will likely cost at least $9,000. A 100-square-foot green will run between $1,800 and $3,000. Most contractors will charge between $18 and $25 per square foot to turn your lawn into a golfing paradise.”

How much does golf sand cost?

Bunker sand ranges in cost significantly. Trucking costs from the mine also impact the cost per ton. However, you can expect to pay on average $12 to $30 per ton plus trucking costs which are generally $10 or more per ton depending on the distance.

How much does it cost to make a green on a golf course?

On average, complete reconstruction of a putting green could cost from $7 to $10 per square foot, but even this range can be extended by $3 or more on either side of the average. There is a fourth question that anyone involved in the construction of putting greens should ask.

How do they design golf courses?

Modern courses now tend to be designed with the front 9 and the back 9 positioned on separate loops beginning and ending at the clubhouse. This has been put into place to be more convenient to golfers if they choose to play just 9 holes, or wish to take a break in the club in between holes 1-9 and 10-18.

What goes into building a golf course?

The Cost of Building a Golf CourseConstruction ItemsMinimalist CourseUp-Scale CourseTopsoil Replacement40,000240,000Storm Drainage10,000500,000Golf Drainage20,000150,000Irrigation + Pumpstation130,000910,00017 more rows

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.

How do golf businesses make money?

How To Make Money Playing Golf (Top 5 Ways)Get a Job as a Golf Pro. ... Play in Golf Tournaments. ... Place Friendly Bets with Your Friends. ... Become a Mystery Shopper. ... Get Sponsorships/Become an Influencer.

What is the profit margin on golf clubs?

After all expenses, the best golf retailers rarely profit more than 2-3% of the total cost of a club. However, as a whole, we can say that around 33.33% of the cost of a golf club is the markup from the retailer.

How hard is it to make a golf course?

Most courses are going to require closer to ten million dollars to build. Part of the reason behind this is that there are so many costs involved with building golf courses. It's not as simple as planting seeds and putting a few holes in the ground. There is quite a bit of work that goes into building a golf course.

What is the most profitable business?

Bookkeeping and accounting With a net profit margin of 18.4% (according to a 2017 Sageworks report), bookkeeping, accounting, tax preparation and payroll services have long been some of the most profitable businesses for entrepreneurs.

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...

Who is qualified to run a golf course?

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 to have a broad business background, because golf courses are multi-faceted businesses.

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 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 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:

How to get a feel for a golf course?

But the best way to get a feel for the land and really understand it, is to walk the site.

What are the two areas of golf?

There are two distinct areas – the inland holes and the coastal holes. The cliffs and oceanside terrain, in particular, have been used to maximum effect to create some of the most outstanding and memorable holes in golf. 3 Setting course strategy.

What does a designer have to do to be able to design?

Like most things in life, nothing ever goes perfectly to plan. So the designer has to be adaptable, flexible and be prepared to modify his design as the course is being constructed. As the holes begin to reveal themselves, the designer may see things that weren’t obvious during the first observations. They may change their mind on certain aspects of the design or see something that doesn’t sit in harmony with the environment.

When did Carya Golf Club open?

I remember going to Turkey to visit the site at Carya Golf Club (due to open in November 2007) for the first time. It was incredibly exciting. It is such a fantastic piece of land, with rolling sand hills, vegetation and woodland close to the beach.

Is golf a high tech business?

It’s true that modern golf course design and construction has become a high-tech, global business, but the basic process of designing a golf course has changed little from the early days when the designers would stride out onto virgin territory with a handful of sticks and mark out where tees, bunkers and greens should be placed.

Is it possible to create a course that the average player can enjoy yet it is still an excellent challenge for Tour?

Mind you, they should all face different driving challenges to suit their skill level – the good golfer needs to be challenged with a little more angle from the tee to test his shot-making skills, whereas the higher handicapper should be given a more straightforward view. So it really is possible to create a course that the average player can enjoy yet it is still an excellent challenge for Tour players.

Is a 24-handicapper a good golf course?

That’s not good golf course design. The ideal scenario is that if a pro, 12-handicapper and 24-handicapper were to tee off from their respective tees, they would all find themselves in a similar position on the fairway.

What is the first step in building a golf course?

Topsoil: The very first step of building a golf course after the design, is removing all of the topsoil on the designated areas. The soil is then replaced with a special soil composition for the different areas.

What is the perfect golf course architect?

The perfect golf course design architect is one with an understanding of the natural landscape, and who understands the cohesion of vegetation, ponds, grasses, paths, stonework, and woodwork.

How to maintain a golf course?

The most popular way of ensuring this is through the use of an automated irrigation system. An automated system takes the serious work out of maintaining the grass on fairways, greens, and even the rough.

What does the color of the posts mean on a golf course?

The posts are marked with different colors meaning different things: red equals a hollow to be cut, blue means filling the area to produce hills, and yellow signifies the gradient of dips.

What is a golf course?

Seen by the amateur or non-lover of the sport, a golf course is merely a landscape filled with green grass, trees, and sandpits. However, to a golfer, golf enthusiast, or club member, a golf course is a work of art.

What is the front 9 of golf?

Older courses lend to have one long loop layout, beginning and ending at the clubhouse. The front 9 term is referred to on the scorecard as “out” since players are heading away from the clubhouse, ...

Where is the back 9 on a golf course?

Modern courses now tend to be designed with the front 9 and the back 9 positioned on separate loops beginning and ending at the clubhouse.

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.

Why do amateur golfers love lightning fast conditions?

The greenkeeper plays a starring role here. Amateurs love lightning-fast conditions, not least because tee balls run forever. It’s why so many cherish an annual trip across the pond or to the fescue fairways of a Mike Keiser project above other playing experiences.

What percentage of players play for recreation?

Understanding the player’s perspective is a bit trickier, because, in broad strokes, there are two basic kinds of players. The vast majority — 99 percent — play for recreation, while the 1 percenters do it as a vocation.

How many greens do pros use?

Most designs unwittingly help them get dialed in by presenting the same target over and over, which is to say, 18 greens that slope conventionally from back to front.

How many greens slope from back to front?

Most designs unwittingly help them get dialed in by presenting the same target over and over, which is to say, 18 greens that slope conventionally from back to front.

Where does Joe Pro find his ball?

When Joe Pro pipes one down the center of the fairway, his not unreasonable expectation is that’s where he will find his ball — in the center of the damn fairway! Should he come upon it in a bunker surrounded by short grass, smoke may be visible from his ears.

Does Pinehurst Resort give pros yards?

Fast conditions like those that often take shape at Pinehurst Resort give pros fits but add extra yards.

What is Poa Annua?

Poa Annua, creeping bentgrass (many varieties, look for A7 or PennCross), Bermudagrass (warm climates only).

How to keep grass from drowning in rain?

Cover the area with a 4-inch (10 cm) layer of pea gravel. The gravel will hold water near the roots when you irrigate the green, but will allow water to pass through quickly during heavy rain so the grass doesn't drown. Compact the gravel layer. Add 2 inches (5 cm) of sand on top of the gravel and compact it.

What is wikihow in golf?

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 175,356 times. Learn more... Many golf enthusiasts build golf greens in their back yards so they can practice putting ...

How to make green grass uneven?

Seed or sod your green. Sodding often results in an uneven green, so seed instead if you have the time and patience to care for the grass until it matures. The variety of grass you will use for your green will largely depend on your climate.

How to mark the edges of a golf green?

Mark the edges of your green by sodding the perimeter with rougher grass. You may want to add a vapor barrier around your green before sodding to keep the surrounding area from sucking water away or adding water to your green. Buy your cups, pins and flags from a supplier of golf course equipment.

How many times has wikihow been viewed?

To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 173,944 times.

What type of grass is best for putting?

Bentgrass. This will withstand winter damage and give you an even putting surface.

How to advertise golf instruction?

All of the following can be effective means of advertising a business: posting pamphlets on public bulletin boards. running advertisements in local publications. purchasing short commercials on the local sports radio station.

How does a golf instruction business make money?

A golf instruction business makes money by charging students for golf lessons. Students may be charged on a per-lesson basis, or they may pay for a set number of lessons in advance.

What is a golf instruction contract?

In business where services are provided on an extended basis, a services contract is often put in place outlining terms and conditions of service. Golf instruction business should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project.

What are the expenses of a golf instruction business?

The primary expenses of a golf instruction business include: PGA association fees, which vary by region but typically total a few hundred dollars (and include insurance) the cost of replacing lost golf balls. course and driving range fees, which should be built into lesson pricing or directly paid for by students.

How much does a golf lesson cost?

Group lessons are much less expensive, with golfers often paying just $25 per lesson for group lessons with five golfers. These lessons can be more lucrative for a business, though, as more students are paying. When pricing lessons, business owners should first survey the going rates for golf instruction in their area. If it’s different from these averages, owners ought to adjust their prices accordingly. Golf is a discretionary expense, and people will consider the cost of lessons during an economic downturn.

How many people play golf?

Well over 20 million people golf, and many people who enjoy the sport would like to improve their game. A golf instruction business offers golfers individual and group lessons. Business owners may offer lessons at public or private courses, driving ranges or students’ homes.

How many instructors do you need for a golf course?

Businesses that grow into regional schools may need one or two additional instructors, and those that become national programs often need three or more instructors.

How do golf pros make it to the elite ranks?

These golf pros make it to the elite ranks by successfully touring at an amateur level before moving on to progressively larger tournaments. Through talent, hard work and no small amount of luck, touring professionals may benefit from a long career as a golf professional.

What is PGA PGM?

Candidates must also enter the PGA Professional Golf Management Program (PGA PGM), which is an apprenticeship that uniquely prepares them for life as a professional golfer. Graduates of the program are knowledgable in state-of-the-art golfing practices as well as techniques to improve the value of their golf facility. Moreover, successful completion of the program equips golf pros with the skills needed to provide exceptional service to customers or clients and act as a public representative of the PGA.

Who was the first person to make money playing golf?

It was not until well into the twentieth century that golfers began to make enough money to live on their prize money. Walter Hagen is generally considered to be the first man to have done this.

How do professional golfers live?

Most professional golfers live by providing services to other golfers rather than by winning tournaments. There are a whole number of ways it is possible to do this.

What is a golf shop supervisor?

overseeing the golf shop and all retail operations involving golf equipment

What is the job of a golf club manager?

It is the top job. You will oversee all the operations at a golf club. It includes staff, maintenance of the course, hospitality and other matters which ensure the success of the club.

What are the roles of a golf professional?

Organizational roles such as head professional at a golf course or golf range administrator or organizer of tournaments. Skills-based roles such as golf clinician or golf coach. Professional functions such as management and financing and administration. Specialist roles such as golf course architect.

How long does it take to get PGA certification?

To get PGA certification, you will need eight years of playing, experience, and education. Once you have this, you are qualified to coach everyone from the newest player at a club up to top level professionals.

How did young men get money from golf?

Many young men had grown up around golf who were very good, but relatively poor. If they were to have the chance to spend enough time on the course to get better, they needed to find some way to make money. They discovered that there were ways they could earn enough cash to stay on the golf course. Working as a caddy for the better-off players and being paid for playing challenge matches were two of the most popular.

Feasibility Studies

Masterplan

Planning Approval

Tenders

Golf Course Construction

Establishment

Selecting A Golf Course Architect

Cost of Building A Golf Course