If you own property or want to buy property and invest in a fairly low initial investment business, then a driving range might be the ticket.
Pros:
- Low startup costs
- Compared to starting a full-fledged golf course, a driving range requires fewer resources and can be established at a relatively low cost.
- High profit potential
- With a steady stream of customers, a well-managed driving range can generate a significant amount of revenue.
- Flexible hours
- A driving range can operate during the day, in the evening, or on weekends, offering the owner the flexibility to determine operating hours based on demand.
- Ability to attract a wide range of customers
- A driving range can attract golfers of all skill levels, making it a potential source of income for a variety of demographic groups.
- Potential for additional revenue streams
- Beyond selling range balls, a driving range can also generate income through food and beverage sales, pro shop retail, and golf lessons.
Cons:
- Weather dependent
- Competition from other driving ranges
- High overhead costs
- Maintenance expenses
- Seasonal fluctuations in customer demand.
If you want to dig deeper into the feasibility of this kind of operation, check out a driving range financial model.
Best Areas to Start a Driving Range
- Urban areas with high population density
- Tourist destinations
- Suburban areas with a high number of golf enthusiasts
- Areas with a shortage of local golf courses
- Regions with favorable climate conditions for outdoor activities.
Startup Costs for Driving Range
- Land: The cost of purchasing or leasing the land on which the driving range will be established.
- Equipment: The cost of purchasing or leasing the necessary equipment, such as golf mats, tee markers, and range balls.
- Buildings/Structures: The cost of constructing buildings, such as a pro shop or covered hitting area, for the driving range.
- Fencing and Netting: The cost of installing fencing and netting to keep balls from leaving the property and to ensure the safety of customers and bystanders.
- Marketing: The cost of advertising and promoting the new driving range to attract customers.
- Legal and regulatory fees: The cost of obtaining the necessary permits and licenses to operate a driving range, as well as any other legal fees associated with starting a new business.
- Operating costs: The cost of utilities, maintenance, and other ongoing expenses necessary to run the driving range.
Golf Course or Driving Range, Which is a Better Investment?
The better option between starting a golf course or a driving range depends on various factors, including financial resources, business goals, and market conditions.
Starting a golf course is a significantly larger investment, with higher startup costs, and requires a large tract of land. On the other hand, it offers the potential for more revenue streams, such as greens fees, pro shop sales, food and beverage, and events. Golf courses also offer a wider range of amenities and a more complete golfing experience for customers.
Starting a driving range is a more affordable option with lower startup costs, and a smaller piece of land required. It also offers a more straightforward business model, with fewer operational complexities, and the potential to generate consistent revenue through the sale of range balls and food and beverage sales.
Ultimately, the choice between starting a golf course or a driving range should be based on the availability of resources, market conditions, and the business goals of the owner.
Average Revenue and Profit of a Driving Range
The revenue and profit generated by a driving range depend on various factors, such as the location, size, and quality of the range, the number of customers, and the pricing strategy. A well-run driving range can generate annual revenue of several hundred thousand dollars, with a profit margin of around 20-30%.
It is important to note that the profitability of a driving range can fluctuate depending on factors such as weather conditions, seasonal fluctuations in demand, and competition from other golf facilities. To maximize revenue and profit, a driving range should be well-managed, offer a high-quality customer experience, and have a clear pricing strategy.
If you want to do a membership subscription, this template has the base logic to determine what that may look like. It is for a full golf course, but the general configuration could be used for any membership-based revenue model that has a capacity limit.
