what does a golf course have to offer

According to Golf Digest, more than 20 million people in the United States golf. Golf courses provide these people with a place to play the sport. Most courses are 9 or 18 holes, and they may have other amenities, such as clubhouses and pro shops.

Full Answer

What qualifications do you need 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.

What makes a good golf course?

The interactions that people have with each other, your clubhouse, and your staff will create a fun and relaxed atmosphere and build a culture around your golf course. For smaller operations that will still bring in a decent amount of golfers, you may want to look at operating a snack bar with quick and less expensive food and beverage items.

What can I learn from the Golf Course Owners Association?

There are several resources that business owners can learn from: The National Golf Course Owners Association hosts the Golf Business Conference and has an informative forum for golf course owners. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America has educational resources on environmental issues and maintaining courses.

What do you need to know before buying a golf club?

Homebuyers looking for a property within a golf community must know the real costs of owning there and being an active, participating member of the club before buying and plan for monthly dues to the club as part of the cost of homeownership. For HOAs struggling with a closed or failing club, be proactive.

What are the 5 major components of a golf course?

To play with the right club, you have to have a better understanding of the hole you are playing, especially its parts. Each hole in a course has 5 major parts namely Tee, Fairway, Green, Rough and Hazards. Understanding these parts allow you to plan your shots right.

What do golf clubs offer?

A golf club membership will typically open up access to a range of other club amenities. These may include the dining room and bar, swimming pools, and possibly tennis and other sport, as well as club space for one's own social needs.

What does a golf course consist of?

A golf course is the grounds where the sport of golf is played. It consists of a series of holes, each consisting of a tee box, a fairway, the rough and other hazards, and a green with a cylindrical hole in the ground, known as a "cup". The cup holds a flagstick, known as a "pin".

What makes a golf course special?

Tee locations, green sizes, depth of bunkers, turf types and water hazards provide the personality of a golf course. That personality is the result of the architect's vision. Generally, golfers can sense the atmosphere of the golf course or feel the dread of a hazard but rarely understand why.

What are the benefits of a golf membership?

Benefits Of Joining A Golf ClubPlay As Many Rounds As You Want. ... You Need A Membership To Get A Handicap. ... Get Use Of The Facilities. ... Networking Opportunities. ... Improve At The Game. ... Get Mates Rates For Friends. ... If You Live Close You Can Play More Often. ... Good Way To Get Out Of The House More.More items...

What makes a good golf club member?

Aaron Dill (Titleist/Vokey) – “A good golf club is a balance of versatility and forgiveness with a physical shape and color that draws you in and makes you feel confident every time you lay your eyes on it.” Roger Cleveland (Callaway Golf) – “It has to be properly fit, feel good, and visually it has to inspire.

How do you design a golf course?

Think of them as your architecture guidelines: 8 do's and don'ts of golf design.Start with the green. The Golden Age architect A.W. ... Keep it entertaining. “Golf is a game,” Goetz says. ... Don't go full Golden Tee. ... Consider contours. ... Allow for recoveries. ... Place trouble in plain view. ... Accommodate all abilities. ... Draw to scale.

What makes a golf course national?

"Golf" is self-explanatory; the club is devoted to golf. 3. "National" means its players hail from across the nation. 4.

What are the different areas of a golf course?

The five defined areas that make up the course:The general area,The teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing,All penalty areas,All bunkers, and.The putting green of the hole the player is playing.

How do you evaluate 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 is fun about golf?

Golf is fun because of the number of possibilities it offers to stop players from getting bored. Anyone can enjoy playing all kinds of different golf game types either alone, with friends or total strangers. And all while enjoying the great outdoors and getting a bit of exercise at the same time.

Why you should start playing golf?

Good Exercise First and foremost, golf is good exercise. Not only do you spend a lot of time on your feet, but you also do a lot of walking. In fact, most courses will have you walking around 4 miles by the end, so you'll certainly get in your daily step goals.

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 amenities of a golf club?

These may include the dining room and bar, swimming pools, and possibly tennis and other sport, as well as club space for one’s own social needs. Amenities may also include a spa, salon or fitness facilities, all of which will be open to members.

What age can you join a family club?

The basic club membership could be taken out on an individual basis, but it’s quite common for the basic membership to include family members a spouse and children under age 25. This can be a significant benefit for those who wish to make the club a hub of family activity.

What is social time in golf?

Social time. In addition to the basic membership, many clubs will offer a “social membership” that does not include the opportunity to use the golf course, but does open the doors for those looking to broaden their social horizons. For those who don’t play, this type of membership offers access to club amenities as well as planned social events ...

Do golf clubs offer corporate memberships?

Many avid golfers will welcome the opportunity to have family members use the club often. . Work and play. Most clubs will offer corporate memberships which bear some similarities to the more common personal membership, but also some differences.

Can you tread the fairways with a golf club?

Golf. First and foremost, golf club membership should entitle you to tread the fairways virtually whenever you wish, as well as allowing access to good practice facilities. This is why you signed on, after all, and a typical golf club environment will make unlimited play and access a basic component of membership.

Can you play at other private clubs?

While golfers call their own club (s) home, it sometimes is nice to occasionally play at other private clubs as a visitor. This privilege allows members to play at other private clubs that offer the same opportunity in return. It’s a good way to get some extra mileage out of the membership.

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 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 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 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:

Where is Rose City Golf Course?

The staff at Rose City Golf Course in Portland, Ore., is always helpful and friendly. Oleg Volovik/Golf Advisor

Can there be enough water stations on golf courses?

There can never be enough water stations on the course, especially in the summer. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor

Can you walk off with a golf club at a bag drop?

It's understandable at extremely busy municipals that staff members can't possibly tell whose clubs belong to whom, so pretty much anyone can walk off with a bag there. But I know several instances where friends have had a nice set of golf clubs stolen at high-end daily fees at bag drop while they were checking in. I never leave my clubs at bag drop if it's unattended.

Is Blue Sky Golf Club a sports bar?

The clubhouse at Blue Sky Golf Club was completely remodeled to include a sports bar, which is where you check in for golf, incidentally. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor. Like any business, public golf courses -- and private ones, for that matter -- need to treat golfers like customers. I've never agreed that the "customer is always right" ...

Is managing a tee sheet easy?

Managing a tee sheet, maintaining course conditions and providing customer service -- all while making ends meet -- isn't easy, of course, and most do a pretty good job. Still, golfers are famously demanding of their experience, and there's always room for improvement.

Is golf difficult?

Like we said, golf is difficult, so why not try to help golfers as much as possible. I've seen savvy golf instructors who walk the range during busy times, offering golfers free tips if they want a little help. The beauty of this is that it often drums up business for lessons down the road. More courses should offer inexpensive group clinics (another opportunity to recruit players for regular lessons) and certainly offer inexpensive half-hour lessons in addition to 45-minute and hour lessons. Incredibly, the vast majority of recreational players have never taken a lesson. Shouldn't the industry be doing everything it can to encourage players to get better? After all, difficulty is often cited as one of the primary factors in golf's lack of growth.

Do PGA Pros support Marshalls?

I recommend that PGA Pros support Marshalls when the Marshalls find a group that refuses to keep pace or are abusive to the Marshalls. In these cases the PGA Pro should drive out to the group and tell them that they are no longer welcome on the course that day. PGA Pros seem more concerned about their $$$ than Pace of Play. I've had too many rounds turn into a nine hole day after a 3 hour first nine.

How much does it cost to get green fees on golf courses?

There is no standard green fee for golf courses. It is up to each course to determine what price to charge, and those prices range from very low ($10 or $15 green fees can still be found in a few places) to very high (hundreds of dollars at the most-famous and most-luxurious resort courses).

What is green fee in golf?

The "green fee" is what a golf course charges golfers to play.

How many holes does a green fee cover?

What Does the Green Fee Cover? Paying the green fee typically gets you 18 holes of golf. Some courses offer 9-hole rates (and, obviously, a 9-hole golf course's green fee covers nine holes of play). But beyond getting access to play a course, does paying the green fee get the golfer anything else?

Do golf courses require a caddie?

Some high-end courses will include the services of a caddie in the green fee. Most golf courses that offer caddies - and the majority of courses don't - require an additional fee if a golfer wants one.

Does the green fee include golf carts?

A golfer pays the green fee, then, if she wants to use a cart, pays another amount as the cart fee. But it's definitely not un common for the use of a cart to be included in a course's green fee. Unlimited play: The green fee rarely includes unlimited play for the day. The standard is, if you pay the green fee you get 18 holes of play.

Does the green fee include unlimited play?

Unlimited play: The green fee rarely includes unlimited play for the day. The standard is, if you pay the green fee you get 18 holes of play. Want to play another nine or 18 after that? Pay another fee. But some courses do allow unlimited play with one green fee or might offer that as a special, limited-time rate ("free replays").

Do junior golf courses have discounts?

Juniors and seniors often receive discounts . And anyone with a club membership will pay less than a guest. Also, many courses offer 9-hole and 18-hole green fees, the 9-hole fees obviously being lower. Some courses are even starting offer 12-hole rates.

What is golf course known for?

Golf courses are known for their lush and well maintained greens. Con: Courses are typically mowed very early in the morning, which some people may enjoy watching while sipping their morning coffee. If you’re not a morning person, check out the location of the master bedroom.

What does a clubhouse do?

If the community has a clubhouse, this often means community events and get-togethers throughout the year. These social events can help you get to know your neighbors – an added benefit, if you’ll be new to the area.

What are the pros and cons of tournaments?

Con: Large tournaments attract large crowds. A quick trip to the grocery store on tournament day may find you contending with hours of traffic.

Do golf courses have membership rates?

Pro: Golf courses sometimes offer special course membership rates to homeowners in the community. Neighborhoods often have other amenities such as tennis, pickleball or a club house. (Understand the rules and restrictions of facility usage, as some amenities may require an additional fee.)

Can a golf ball land on your car?

Con: A n airborne golf ball landing on you, your car or your home is a definite possibility. If you’re especially concerned about dealing with broken windows and ball damage, search for a home further away from the fairways. With that in mind, you’ll want to make sure you have the right insurance in place. Your homeowners insurance typically covers ...

Can you play golf in the dark on Erie?

2. Noise. Pro: Unless the course has lights, golfers can’t golf after dark. Therefore, you’ll be able to enjoy quiet evenings on your deck or patio.

Can you watch golf tournaments?

Ask for the course’s tournament schedule. You won’t have to fight for prime viewing spots, and will be able to watch the foursomes pass right by your backyard.

What does it mean to buy a golf course?

Buying an existing golf course usually means that buildings will already be in place on the property.

Why do golf courses need to be close to current golfers?

A golf course needs to be close to as many current and prospective golfers as possible so it can take its share of the largest possible market, without being in an area that is too competitive to stand a chance.

How to market golf courses?

If you’ve got your finger on the pulse of your golf course, you’ll be able to make day-to-day decisions on where, when, and how you should send out marketing messages. For example, if you notice a lack of public players, you might want to offer golfers in your area a discount on their first round in exchange for their email. You can target them using their emails on platforms like Facebook Ads, which allow you to segment your advertisements based on many aspects, including interests, demographics, and likes.

What happens if you buy land for a golf course?

If the land that you acquire isn’t already a golf course, you’ll need to hire a team to design and build the course. This will cost a lot of money, but any cutting corners will lead to massive headaches. Poor architecture, insufficient irrigation, and bad agronomy systems will seriously hurt the experience that you offer your customers and can lead to higher maintenance costs and lower revenue in the long run.

Why are lessons important in golf?

Lessons are a great way to generate some extra revenue while bringing in new golfers and growing the game. The golf professionals you hire need to not only have an in-depth understanding of the sport but also have amazing teaching skills.

Why do you attend golf merchandise shows?

Attending merchandise shows is another great way to expand your wealth of knowledge, network with other professionals, and bring improvements to your golf course. These shows allow operators to purchase merchandise, learn about new products, and attend valuable conferences.

How many golf courses have closed since 2011?

This is a relatively large market that you can capitalize on by buying a golf course. That being said, 737 golf facilities have closed since 2011, so success is not a given. Blindly running into ownership of a golf course can often be very risky, so you need to carefully select where you invest your money and how you operate your course.

How to choose a golf club?

Beyond the course and amenities, each club has its own particular "feel" - a factor which should be of the utmost importance in your decision. As you peruse the courses listed, try to keep in mind exactly what you are looking for in a club - and ask pointed questions around your needs. Are you looking for a course that in more golf centric than amenity centric? How far are you willing to drive to participate in club events? Are family options more important or are you looking for a place simply to play golf and build new friendships around the great game of golf? What kind of fees can you afford?

How often can you play golf with a social membership?

Many clubs also included limited golfing privileges for social members - typically, the right to play once or twice per month.

What is an individual membership?

An option for those individuals who wish to join a club individually. Typically, an individual memberships gives an individual unlimited access to the golf course, dining room, practice facilities, etc…You may find clubs that charge and individual member an added fee for use of a pool (if applicable). Many clubs offer reduced initiation fees and monthly dues for members under 36 years old. Upon reaching 36 years of age, these clubs typically start to increase the fees over time until they reach the "standard" individual membership fee levels.

How much is the initiation fee for a golf club?

A one-time fee that can range anywhere between $2,000 upwards to $100,000 although there are several clubs that fall outside of either end of that range. Most clubs afford new members the opportunity to break up the initiation fee into manageable payments over a year or two periods. Clubs that offer equity memberships normally refund a large percentage of the initiation fee upon a member's resignation from the club. Non-equity clubs (like those typically found in the north/northeast) typically do not offer any refund of the initiation fee.

Is the golf course open to the public?

The golf course and other club amenities (pool, restaurant, etc…) are closed to the public. Most private clubs do an excellent job of building a strong community, offering multiple golf events (tournaments, weekly matches, etc…) as well as social events (brunches, holiday parties, etc…) for their members to enjoy.

Do golf clubs offer reduced rates?

Several clubs offer memberships at a reduced rate for individuals and/or families who live a certain distance from the club (measured in miles) or who reside out of state.

Do semi-private clubs have food and beverage minimums?

Most semi-private clubs do not have food & beverage minimums. Members are treated the same as paying customers although, from time to time, you will find clubs that offer charge privileges to members.