Aaronyoung
Newbie
I'm looking into starting up a driving range but I am struggling to find land to let or buy. What type of land allowed to do this on and whom I can talk to to find out.
Driving range
- Thread starter Aaronyoung
- Start date
williamalex1
Money List Winner
Easiest way would be to try and buy into an existing one.
I can sell you a load of Crap balls
richart
Major Champion
I have a bag full of balls that already have 'range' printed on them. If you cross Centurion and Bearwood Lakes off them, they would be ready to go.I can sell you a load of Crap balls
I imagine it would be very difficult to find new land to set up a driving range, so as previously mentioned perhaps look at buying an existing one ?
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
you would need to talk to the local authority planning department; simples
el marko
Head Pro
Frank is a good guy to speak too. Because you're clearly on drugs!!
SVB
Challenge Tour Pro
OK - I'll try a serious reply.
So, new business - these things come to mind:
Planning as said above to find out what likely to be permissioned where (may also know of candidate plots)
Find estate agent dealing in land rather than 2 bed semis in relevant area
Decide what your aiming for - field with ball machine and small shed or double deck range, full short game practice area, team of 6 teaching pros and attached franchise space for American Golf in an area they'd be interested in.
Money - do you have any? Bank / VC / others may be worth an intial chat
Business Plan - do you have one (startup costs / marketing / running costs / resourcing strategy etc etc)
+ loads of other stuff.
Best of luck,
Simon
So, new business - these things come to mind:
Planning as said above to find out what likely to be permissioned where (may also know of candidate plots)
Find estate agent dealing in land rather than 2 bed semis in relevant area
Decide what your aiming for - field with ball machine and small shed or double deck range, full short game practice area, team of 6 teaching pros and attached franchise space for American Golf in an area they'd be interested in.
Money - do you have any? Bank / VC / others may be worth an intial chat
Business Plan - do you have one (startup costs / marketing / running costs / resourcing strategy etc etc)
+ loads of other stuff.
Best of luck,
Simon
Hacker Khan
Yurt Dwelling, Yoghurt Knitter
I was reading recently that in the US where some company has some ranges where they try and make them a bit funky and also offer cheap lessons. What happens is that they have some pros who wander down the range and offer some tips, and whilst someone is trying it out they go to someone else, kind of moving around. I think they also have a few clubs to hire out for anyone who hasn't got any. It's part of an initiative to get new golfers into the game.
I think this kind of thing could be a possible opportunity in the UK. You'd probably need to be near a decent population centre to attract enough people but I think you'd need a USP to stand out from others, and this could be it.
I've no idea, but maybe if you are highlighting that you are trying to get new golfers then there may be some kind of grants available from the various bodies that do such things?
I think this kind of thing could be a possible opportunity in the UK. You'd probably need to be near a decent population centre to attract enough people but I think you'd need a USP to stand out from others, and this could be it.
I've no idea, but maybe if you are highlighting that you are trying to get new golfers then there may be some kind of grants available from the various bodies that do such things?
Hacker Khan
Yurt Dwelling, Yoghurt Knitter
Actually I see that someone already does this kind of thing. http://topgolf.com/uk/
But I think something like this is the way to go
But I think something like this is the way to go
CliveW
Tour Winner
As said, you will need to find a suitable piece of ground of at least 10 acres, free draining and flat with easy access and services nearby, in an area where there will be demand for a range . Then you will need to apply and get planning permission for change of use. Once you have that in place, you might need to install field drainage then you will need to plough the ground and plant a decent quality grass which will be the basis of the range. You will also need to fence off the range area, build bays, install floodlighting and a building/shop which needs to be well fitted out, plus car park. You will also need a building to house a ball cleaning machine and dispenser, and the range maintenance machinery such as grass cutter, ball picker etc. On top of that you will need to have a fuel store or diesel tank.
For equipment you will need a vehicle with a cage and ball collector, plus a grass cutter and various other maintenance equipment. You will also need range markers, flags etc. Bay mats plus tees and dividers, approx 10,000 balls and baskets.
Once you have all that in place, all you need to do is sit back and watch the money roll in.
Canary_Yellow
Journeyman Pro
I think the best approach would be to identify an existing driving range in a good catchment area but is poorly run.
Starting from scratch would be very difficult.
Starting from scratch would be very difficult.
Ian_Bristol
Head Pro
Thats a great idea you can make loads of money or are you thinking only for personal use as I know there is a lot of land next to Luton air port which would be ideal as long as you don't hit the planes coming in to land, would bring a whole new meaning to fly and drive
As said, you will need to find a suitable piece of ground of at least 10 acres, free draining and flat with easy access and services nearby, in an area where there will be demand for a range . Then you will need to apply and get planning permission for change of use. Once you have that in place, you might need to install field drainage then you will need to plough the ground and plant a decent quality grass which will be the basis of the range. You will also need to fence off the range area, build bays, install floodlighting and a building/shop which needs to be well fitted out, plus car park. You will also need a building to house a ball cleaning machine and dispenser, and the range maintenance machinery such as grass cutter, ball picker etc. On top of that you will need to have a fuel store or diesel tank.
For equipment you will need a vehicle with a cage and ball collector, plus a grass cutter and various other maintenance equipment. You will also need range markers, flags etc. Bay mats plus tees and dividers, approx 10,000 balls and baskets.
Once you have all that in place, all you need to do is sit back and watch the money roll in.
If it's starting from scratch then why not go the whole hog and add a specialised short game area and decent grass putting green. Build it and they will surely come...
TBH it seems a very ambitious dream and a lot of outlay. Unless you get a good teaching facility (indoor bay and all the monitors to add to the cost), a high demand area or a retail outlet attached (AG etc) I'm not overly convinced that it will be a significant earner, especially early on. With all that maintenance to be done as well it'll take a lot of work to make a regular and sufficient profit. I'm sure there are ranges that are good earners but most will have been established for years
CliveW
Tour Winner
Homer, I can assure you that even well established ranges are not making much money, especially when you compare things with ten years ago.
I don't doubt that at all. However the ones I use at Downshire (council run) and Lavender Park in Ascot (private) are always pretty full and the teaching staff usually fully booked so demand is still there. I can see how profit will have been squeezed and I guess if the OP could find that perfect prime location without nearby competition and give golfers something they want (grass areas in the summer, short game, putting, state of the art teaching facility) then I guess it could be a moeny spinner. Silvermere in Surrey definitely is. Not a gamble I'd be prepared to take
Durango
Challenge Tour Pro
I live at the back of this range www.cranfordgolfcentre.co.uk/
Been going for 50 years but it's closing soon as the finances just won't work. Must be a really tough business to make any kind of profit.
Been going for 50 years but it's closing soon as the finances just won't work. Must be a really tough business to make any kind of profit.
Leereed
Head Pro
All I can say is I wish you all the luck in the world.
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SocketRocket
Ryder Cup Winner
When I used to go to Japan there were Golf Ranges built over car parks. They had multi tiered teeing bays and a net over the park. To get the balls back they just had to raise the far end of the net and the balls all ran back and into the dispensing bins.
The good thing about this it could be set up in built up areas and you also had the car parking revenue.
The good thing about this it could be set up in built up areas and you also had the car parking revenue.
