Indoor Golf

[Dan2501]

Hi all,

I've very recently started working on a new project that I'm hoping to get some feedback on, and have put together a survey, with the results being put to use within my future business plan. I'd be hugely appreciative if you take the time to fill it out, and as it's only 10 very simple questions, it shouldn't take you too long at all.

The link to the survey is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q9FTSFD

Any other notes you have about indoor golf in general, and what you'd like to see from a new establishment would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

N.B.: I've run it by Mike, and he said he's happy with me to post it on the forum, just in-case you wondered.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I've filled it in.

 

[jpxpro]

survey done, there is an indoor golf centre in glasgow, it has its limitations obviously but is a great option during bad weather, the indoor putting green in particular is really useful.

 

[DaveyG]

Done!

Would love to have something in the Midlands like this

 

[CMAC]

sorry to sound negative- really not meant as it's something I've thought would be very successful......done properly. Your survey needs a lot more questions/options/detail imo

what you currently have is no different to the golf sim/pubs around the country- if this is your goal or target I apologise but I suspected it was something that serious golfers would use as well as recreationally that you were intending?

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I'm with CMAC. I like the urban golf chain in London, but I'd never use it for practice. It's great for a beer and a laugh with friends, or a few holes at lunch.

If I'm out of work early enough to practice I'd rather go to the driving range.

To summarise my thoughts on the matter, if I'm going to practice, I'd rather use the driving range and the driving range is likely to be cheaper too. Being able to see the ball fly is preferable than playing a course in virtual reality for me, and so is using my own clubs.

Golf sims have their place, and don't get me wrong, I think they're great, but not sure there's a market for them as a practice facility.

Others may disagree of course.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Survey done, good luck with the venture.

 

[nickyj4]

I think the one is Glasgow is good as its an indoor range rather than a simulator, if you could combine that with trackman or something similar it woudl be useful as you get stats and see the ball flight

 

[garyinderry]

Good luck pal.

 

[MizunoGreyhound]

Done!

Would love to have something in the Midlands like this

Used to be an indoor golf centre in Solihull, but sadly closed down.
Simulator, when it is working, at Lea Marston and I believe the cost is around the £20 per hour mark. Quality not great though and it keeps freezing/breaking down/re-setting from what I have heard.

Good luck to the OP in the venture.

 

[Dan2501]

I'm with CMAC. I like the urban golf chain in London, but I'd never use it for practice. It's great for a beer and a laugh with friends, or a few holes at lunch.

If I'm out of work early enough to practice I'd rather go to the driving range.

To summarise my thoughts on the matter, if I'm going to practice, I'd rather use the driving range and the driving range is likely to be cheaper too. Being able to see the ball fly is preferable than playing a course in virtual reality for me, and so is using my own clubs.

Golf sims have their place, and don't get me wrong, I think they're great, but not sure there's a market for them as a practice facility.

Others may disagree of course.

I personally use one for practice. I have it set to the driving range mode, and in an hour I can hit more balls than at the driving range, it's the same price (range balls are bloody expensive around here), and I get the data from the GC2 which has come in very helpful. I think the challenge is creating a balance between the usefulness of the launch monitor, and the recreational fun of the simulator. I think if done well, and using the right launch monitor (I'm currently looking at Trackman and Flightscope), the centre could fulfil both needs.

sorry to sound negative- really not meant as it's something I've thought would be very successful......done properly. Your survey needs a lot more questions/options/detail imo

what you currently have is no different to the golf sim/pubs around the country- if this is your goal or target I apologise but I suspected it was something that serious golfers would use as well as recreationally that you were intending?

Yeah, I wanted more questions than 10, but was limited by the free Surveymonkey account. If anyone else has anything to share on their thoughts on Indoor golf, and whether they'd use it. I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks to everyone who's filled the survey in. I really appreciate it, and I will keep you informed on how I get on with the business, but at the moment, if all goes well, I'm looking at an July-September launch.

 

[CMAC]

if you have the cash to do a launch then I would strongly advise some well spent cash on targeted and relevant market research first.


p.s an old warehouse could be used creating 'lanes' where full shots could be played with your own brand balls and launch monitor.........if you build it they will come.
I have lots of ideas but you can have that one for free

 

[drewster]

Done. Good luck

 

[seasidehacker]

Done

 

[ManinBlack]

My "local". http://dynamicindoorgolf.com opened last year. It's a magnificent facility with 2 GC2 bays, chipping area, putting green & fitting shop. It's housed in a big industrial unit on the outskirts of Newcastle. I am not sure whether it will succeed but it's attracted the County men's & ladies' squads as well as a couple of Newcastle United players who have had clubs made. A local pro teaches there, I'm going over for a lesson on Wednesday. It just seems to me that it needs a big turnover to survive and even at just 15 miles away the travelling puts me off going too often. I'd rather use nearer, more spartan facilities. Time will tell.

 

[MendieGK]

I love the idea of indoor simulators especially as i have a good understanding of my 'stats' already due to being around Trackman and CG2s. My main concern with these is always cost. I've seen some cost £50 an hour for up to 4 people. This cost is too much for an individual wanting to practice.

I think the best way to drive income would be to get pros to use to teach. £40-£50 is the going rate for a lesson nowadays so if that was split 50/50 its not bad at all.

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

There was a good one in Birmingham city centre for a while, 3 bays and small bar, plus a couple of rooms for meetings etc. Really good for a night out and fun to use particularly over the winter. I believe they had little issue filling it over the weekend, but the recession but a stop to a lot of the corporate expenditure so with corporate league (pairs matches with other professional firms) stopping then so did a lot of revenue.

 

[GeneralStore]

I have completed the survey and good luck with the venture. If you open it in the Surrey area I will support you

 

[fundy]

Theres one opened not too far from us by J12 on the M1. Will try and go and see what its like but at £50 an hour its not a viable option to use too often, especially having to travel to get there. Pricing it to maximise usage and your revenue clearly not easy but probably needs to be more flexible and offer better deals, especially at quiet times

 

[TheJezster]

Just completed the survey. Funnily enough, we are in the process of building an internal one at our club at the moment. Should hopefully all be ready in the new year. Will be great for practice and lessons etc

I'm really looking forward to it, I think it will help bring more people into the club too.

Good luck