how much to start a golf course

by Randal Rosenbaum MD 9 min read

  • 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

Full Answer

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 do golf courses make money?

A golf course business’ primary product or service is course fees, which golfers pay to play the course. These fees account for a significant portion of a business’ revenue, but they are far from the only source of revenue. Some other things golf courses sell are:

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.

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 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.

How many acres is needed 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.

How much money do golf courses make?

Golf Courses make between several hundred thousand to more than five million dollars per year. The difficulty in pinpointing an exact number that golf courses make is that no two golf courses are alike.

Why golf is for rich?

Rich people play golf because they can afford the financial costs necessary to overcome its entry barriers. In addition, besides being an enjoyable activity, golf provides a certain social status, and it allows them to network with other wealthy individuals.

How much does a golf kit cost?

Q. 1 How Much Does a Golf Kit Cost? Ans: A decent kit for golf would cost you anywhere around Rs 14,000.

How long does it take to build a golf course?

The actual construction time for a golf course from ground -breaking to opening can be from one to two years, depending on the weather and amount of equipment used. But today it often takes an additional one to two years to obtain all of the permits and required approvals before construction can begin.

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 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 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.

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 golf courses make money?

Green fee play, memberships, food & beverage, and pro shop sales are the four main levers that can lead to an increase in revenue at a golf course. Of course, within each revenue stream, many specific opportunities exist for golf courses to produce more revenue.

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...

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 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.

How much does it cost to maintain a mini golf course?

Overall, maintenance costs for running a mini-golf course can vary but mostly fall in the $40,000-$70,000 range annually. Now let’s talk about revenue.

What are some examples of features and costs to take into account when building a course?

Some examples of features and costs to take into account when building a course include: Water systems like streams, ponds, pumps, and drainage ditches. Water hazards are a popular addition to mini-golf courses. Elevation changes. A flat course is a boring course, some dips and dives add to the experience.

How many holes are there in a mini golf course?

Traditional mini-golf courses usually consist of one 18- hole course. However, having two 18-hole courses can be key to gaining repeat business and driving profits up. Having 2-18 hole courses give customers more variety and reduce crowding and lines, which is good for keeping customers around.

What is the biggest variable in start up costs?

The biggest variable in start-up costs is the price of the land, which can differ drastically depending on the state. In more rural areas, you may be able to find more land for a cheap while in denser urban areas land prices may be much higher.

How many people play mini golf?

It is estimated that every year over 130 million people play mini-golf, generating a total annual revenue of over $1 billion for course owners. Mini-golf is a lucrative business because it has great potential for growth ...

What is flat course?

A flat course is a boring course, some dips and dives add to the experience. Elevation changes can dramatically alter costs. Themes and structures. Depending on how extravagant you want your course to be, building structures to match the theme may cost the most of your building budget. Lighting.

When is mini golf season?

Mini-golf typically has an on season during the warmer spring and summer months and an offseason during the fall and winter. Zooming in even further, mini-golf attendance shows clear peaks and valleys during each individual week, typically being higher during evenings and weekends and slower during weekdays.

What is a short course golf course?

Also, building a “short course” or Par 3 course has become very popular for famous golf resorts. It gives visiting players an alternative to playing 36 a day. Play a destination course in the morning and relax on the Par 3 course in the afternoon. The Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina recently opened The Cradle.

How many holes are there in a par 3 golf course?

A golf course, but instead of having par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s, it’s constructed of all par 3s. They can be 6 holes, 9 holes, or 18 holes. Most are quite short, so ask for a scorecard before you play.

What is the par 3 course?

An added bonus, the Par 3 course is a great way to hone your iron & wedge play and improve around the green. A great way to sharpen your chipping and putting, while still competing for a score or making small wagers with your friends.

Is par 3 course too long?

It costs too much money and it takes too long. The Par 3 course solves both issues. Playing a Par 3 course will cost you a fraction of playing a full length one and you typically finish in 1/3 of the time (if not quicker).

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