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OK... so here's my idea. The golf course i currently work at is going to be razed and built upon (partially) in just a few years. It is in the center of a university campus that is landlocked... so something has to go! Anyways, my plan is to have golf preserved on a fraction of the land in the form of a classy practice center/shop. I know that you guys will be my most important customers... so what would you like at such a center? I live in a winter community so I want there to be the following:
Covered/Heated Stalls
Lights for nighttime practice
Grass and Mats hitting area
Indoor hitting/fitting area
Indoor/Outdoor Putting areas
Large (100+/-yd) pitching/short game area
Fully equipped retail/fitting area
Anyways, what I want from you guys are the little things that you wish were at your driving range or always thought would be a good idea. also, tell me what you like best about your current facility. Thanks so much, and remember, you just might be hooking me up with my dream job!
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What would you ideally want from a practice center?
writing a business plan for one
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#1
- Group: Peanut Gallery
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Posted 06 November 2006 - 10:26 PM
Quote
#2
- Site Founder & Co-Owner
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Posted 06 November 2006 - 10:32 PM
Grass Ranges and Tru Strike or Fiberbuilt Mats. Automatic Tees. Great lighting for night time ops. Someone mentioned the "target" driving range of the future. That looks like a very good concept.
#3
- mmmmmmm.......beer
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- Location:dallas-ft. worth
Posted 06 November 2006 - 10:49 PM
- lighting - not just the range, but the putting green and pitching green
- sand game area - bunker with high lip and bunker with low lip and also a bunker to hit iron shots out into the range
- a grass hitting area into the range that has uneven lies and rough
- sand game area - bunker with high lip and bunker with low lip and also a bunker to hit iron shots out into the range
- a grass hitting area into the range that has uneven lies and rough
#4
- Group: Marshals
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- Location:Bay Area, CA
Posted 07 November 2006 - 03:23 AM
make sure flags on the range are TRUE distances from each stall. much better than say "150 yards from the center of the range".
#5
Posted 07 November 2006 - 08:30 AM
wayneebaby, on Nov 6 2006, 10:26 PM, said:
It is in the center of a university campus that is landlocked... so something has to go! Anyways, my plan is to have golf preserved on a fraction of the land in the form of a classy practice center/shop. I know that you guys will be my most important customers... so what would you like at such a center?
Trying to be helpful. Is your target customer college students? You really need to build a price point first and work backwards. You mention lots of overhead, but will your customer base support it? All of that stuff works well in urban markets where there is many $$ and less competition, but people are incredibly price sensitive on this stuff. Everyone here will tell you to build XY and Z, but you banker needs you to make money. Your banker will also want you to put up 20%+ before he loans you money and he will make you sign personally on the loan.
If the University is your target banker (a good idea) , you will need to create a broader model than just hardcore golfers. It needs to make money and serve a broader community than the 10-15% of the university population. How can it serve the other 85% of the population. At a university, you really want to tie it into the Alumni community. They contribute $$. Go talk to the Alumni office.
Don't sell it as a "let's save something from the golf course" idea. Sell it as a "this is how we serve the student, alumni and surrounding community with a profitable venture that will also bring in Alumni $$." It is all about the money.
#6
- Group: Peanut Gallery
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- Location:Rochester Hills, MI
Posted 07 November 2006 - 08:46 AM
wayneebaby, on Nov 6 2006, 10:26 PM, said:
OK... so here's my idea. The golf course i currently work at is going to be razed and built upon (partially) in just a few years. It is in the center of a university campus that is landlocked... so something has to go! Anyways, my plan is to have golf preserved on a fraction of the land in the form of a classy practice center/shop. I know that you guys will be my most important customers... so what would you like at such a center? I live in a winter community so I want there to be the following:
Covered/Heated Stalls
Lights for nighttime practice
Grass and Mats hitting area
Indoor hitting/fitting area
Indoor/Outdoor Putting areas
Large (100+/-yd) pitching/short game area
Fully equipped retail/fitting area
Anyways, what I want from you guys are the little things that you wish were at your driving range or always thought would be a good idea. also, tell me what you like best about your current facility. Thanks so much, and remember, you just might be hooking me up with my dream job!
Covered/Heated Stalls
Lights for nighttime practice
Grass and Mats hitting area
Indoor hitting/fitting area
Indoor/Outdoor Putting areas
Large (100+/-yd) pitching/short game area
Fully equipped retail/fitting area
Anyways, what I want from you guys are the little things that you wish were at your driving range or always thought would be a good idea. also, tell me what you like best about your current facility. Thanks so much, and remember, you just might be hooking me up with my dream job!
My main complaint with most driving ranges are balls that are so worn down they turn 4 different directions in the air. 2nd, mats that aren't just hard surfaces. Those mats that have 1/2" or so "grass" is best, so I don't kill my wrists. In addition, the ones that are hard surfaces, you can't possibly hit the ball in the center of the face, it will always be low.
Some simple things that are cheap to implement would be helpful too: Flag at 10 or 20 yard intervals, maybe a big "net", like 6' in diameter for short shots. Anything to make the driving range more of a game than just brute force practice.
If the range is large enough, a "no one under 12" area, or an area specifically reserved for kids.
#7
- Group: Lefty Boomers
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Posted 07 November 2006 - 09:16 AM
There are a couple of ranges here with interactive targets that really let you know when you have hit the target. The set up looks like a 3-4 foot circle of rubber or something surrounding the flag. When your ball hits the rubber surround, a red light flashes at the top of the flag stick. For peopled with crappy depth percetion (like me), it really helps with distance control. Not sure how much these guys cost. These are not the same thing as the system that scores your hits over a specified time and then tells you who won.
#8
Posted 07 November 2006 - 01:37 PM
Practice bunker
Mini-golf (good revenue generator even if it is not related to real golf)
Repair and regripping services
Qualified Pro for individual and group lessons as well as clinics
Relationship with popular oem company or companies with the ability do do demo days
Fun targets on the range - Gongs, barrels, trampolines, cars, etc. Something fun for people to hit at without making the range look trashy or too gimmicky (hard balance to find)
Mini-golf (good revenue generator even if it is not related to real golf)
Repair and regripping services
Qualified Pro for individual and group lessons as well as clinics
Relationship with popular oem company or companies with the ability do do demo days
Fun targets on the range - Gongs, barrels, trampolines, cars, etc. Something fun for people to hit at without making the range look trashy or too gimmicky (hard balance to find)
#9
- Group: Members
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- Ebay ID:edmondgolfer47
Posted 07 November 2006 - 02:48 PM
Seriously, how about some food and drink people? Can't let patrons go hungry and thirsty!
#10
- Group: Jr. Boomers
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- Member: 14918
- Location:Cork, Ireland
Posted 07 November 2006 - 03:29 PM
What you said makes eminent sense but remember that you have to make money so if you put in a few gimmicks to attract new golfers from the university it might be a good idea
#11
- Group: Jr. Boomers
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Posted 07 November 2006 - 03:48 PM
Floodlights for driving range
Pro Shop
At Driving Range- Vending Machine for sports drinks nutrition bars etc.
Fairway Length grass
Rough Length grass
Floodlit Putting Green/Shortgame aree (100 yrds and in)
Range:
100 Yard Green
120 Yard Green
140 Yard Green
160 '' ''
180 '' ''
200 '' ''
Yardage Markers:
100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170,180, 190, 200
Way Bigger Greens For Anything Over 200.
Pro Shop
At Driving Range- Vending Machine for sports drinks nutrition bars etc.
Fairway Length grass
Rough Length grass
Floodlit Putting Green/Shortgame aree (100 yrds and in)
Range:
100 Yard Green
120 Yard Green
140 Yard Green
160 '' ''
180 '' ''
200 '' ''
Yardage Markers:
100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170,180, 190, 200
Way Bigger Greens For Anything Over 200.
#12
Posted 07 November 2006 - 04:56 PM
well... the golfer in me wants to agree with the posts about the quality of the practice facility... people will pay a little more for a higher quality range... but the business student in me is saying to be careful and find out what the students on campus would actually want... a quality range would definitely help the people who golf.. but mini putt, food/beverage would cater to more of the non-golfers as well... might a good idea to find a mix in the middle...
#13
- Group: Members
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- Location:Salt Lake City, Utah
Posted 07 November 2006 - 05:10 PM
Coach, on Nov 7 2006, 06:30 AM, said:
wayneebaby, on Nov 6 2006, 10:26 PM, said:
It is in the center of a university campus that is landlocked... so something has to go! Anyways, my plan is to have golf preserved on a fraction of the land in the form of a classy practice center/shop. I know that you guys will be my most important customers... so what would you like at such a center?
Trying to be helpful. Is your target customer college students? You really need to build a price point first and work backwards. You mention lots of overhead, but will your customer base support it? All of that stuff works well in urban markets where there is many $$ and less competition, but people are incredibly price sensitive on this stuff. Everyone here will tell you to build XY and Z, but you banker needs you to make money. Your banker will also want you to put up 20%+ before he loans you money and he will make you sign personally on the loan.
If the University is your target banker (a good idea) , you will need to create a broader model than just hardcore golfers. It needs to make money and serve a broader community than the 10-15% of the university population. How can it serve the other 85% of the population. At a university, you really want to tie it into the Alumni community. They contribute $$. Go talk to the Alumni office.
Don't sell it as a "let's save something from the golf course" idea. Sell it as a "this is how we serve the student, alumni and surrounding community with a profitable venture that will also bring in Alumni $$." It is all about the money.
I work with Mr. Wayneebaby and I'd kinda like to add a little bit about our market to his description. As said above our current operation is a 9-hole executive layout in the middle of a major university campus. We are wholly owned by the University and operate solely on our revenue. We are open to the public and I'd say our customer base breaks down a little something like this:
50% University affiliate folks (students, teachers, staff)
30% General Public
5% Seniors
15% Juniors
As far as the market goes, we live in a large, spread-out, square-shaped, valley metropolitan area of around 500,000 people that is currently served by two similar facilities to what we are planning. One in the southwest corner of the valley, one centrally located and ours would be located in a fairly affluent area in the northeast corner of the valley. This works to our advantage in that our facility is very accessable (about a four minute drive) from the downtown area. The other two ranges are really the only two stand alone practice facilities in the area currently. I think we could be sitting on a potential goldmine with this idea, but only if we do it right. We appreciate everybody's input!
#14
Posted 07 November 2006 - 05:16 PM
Lunch Special-Large bucket, sandwich and a drink for $8.
#15 Gallery_csmguitarman_*
Posted 08 November 2006 - 11:30 AM
I want a high speed camera in my stall with a computer so i can analyze my swing!!! A short game area with real greens. ProV1 practice balls. Free golf pro assistance..........then i wake up from my dream. I think a range with a lot of diferent type of situations that you can practice on. That is one thing that i notice about my golf game is that you never really have that perfect lie with no hazzards or risks to take like the care free ball wacking that goes on at the range. I like the red light flashing when you hit the target. It gives you some sort of reward to drive you towards meaning in your shots.
#16
Posted 08 November 2006 - 11:59 AM
if you have the funds and space I would recommend:
Outdoor fitting monitor like flightscope or trackman, that you could charge extra for.
a couple of sidehill lies on the mat section, golf is rarely a level lie sport
creative short game area for chipping putting, and seperate area for 15-75 yard shots
maybe a few elevated target greens if possible.
Outdoor fitting monitor like flightscope or trackman, that you could charge extra for.
a couple of sidehill lies on the mat section, golf is rarely a level lie sport
creative short game area for chipping putting, and seperate area for 15-75 yard shots
maybe a few elevated target greens if possible.
#17 Gallery_midasmulligan2000_*
Posted 08 November 2006 - 01:02 PM
Oh man - you've piqued my interest. I have, for years, been working out the "ideal range" in my head - mostly because I pretty much (if I'm honest) get slightly irritated about a whole variety of things on almost every range I've been to, anywhere in the world. But even more than that, I'm a businessman, and what continually occurs to me is that it would take so little extra cost to create a truly great practice environment - if one simply designed it carefully from the beginning, and ran it with great attention to detail.
My biggest pet peeve is distances ... but after a short rant about that, maybe I'll actually try to fully articulate what I believe the perfect range would look like.
Distance: On the one hand, I can't really practice with irons off on mats. I take divots with irons and wedges - as anyone who knows how to hit a golf ball does - so a correct shot off of most mats jars the hands and arms badly. So generally people wind up (almost instinctively) altering their swing path slightly on mats - and try to pick the ball cleanly instead of hitting down through it. But ... the only reason to go to a practice range in the first place is to practice shots you're going to hit on a course. So a range that gives you different conditions than a course will have (and pretty much makes you use a different swing than you'll use on a course) is really just not worth much.
So I go to ranges that let me hit off of grass. Naturally, the management of these ranges requires one strip of grass to be used at a time (generally marked by a couple of strings), while others recover. Also, generally, the yardage markers are in fixed positions (i.e., obviously they don't move every time the strings move). But a primary reason to go to ranges is to work out new shots, new swings. Knowing the precise distance of your shots is critical. If the current hitting area is 10 or 20 yards +/- from where the 150 marker is measured (i.e., an entire club length or more) ... and golfers don't have any way of knowing that, it is a serious problem for anyone trying to do disciplined practice on the range. And yet, it is really amazing how many ranges don't bother to even put +10, -10, +20, +30 (and etc.) markers on the sides of the hitting area ... or even just a "zero line" that would let golfers estimate the +/-.
__________________________________________________
So - Were I to design my "dream range" (that, in fact, I have never seen anywhere - but that I'd go to religiously if one existed in my area) - it might have the following characteristics:
The basic principle (simple as it sounds) is that it would replicate, as closely as possible, the actual conditions of a golf course fairway. This means a number of things.
1. Obviously, the markers should be flags, not signs (on a course, I'm not aiming at a 2 foot wide metal sign that says 150, I'm aiming at a flag).
2. Every flag should be on a decent sized green. Obviously, the greens don't need to be maintained at course quality levels (no one's going to actually be putting on them), but they should be closely mowed, and differentiated very clearly from the rest of the range. Especially in short game practice, you don't just aim at the flag, you want to practice a number of shots. On a course, from 100 yards, depending upon where the pin placement is, I'm going to take a full SW with a lot of spin, try to fly the flag and back the ball up (if the pin, for instance, is on the front edge of the green with a trap protecting it). Or, I'm going to take PW, or even a 9i, minimize spin, land it on the front of the green, and have it release and roll to the flag (if the pin, for instance, is at the back of a long but relatively flat green). Even at 200 yards, however, I want to aim at a green, not just a flag.
3. At least a couple of the greens (especially the short distances) should be protected by "traps". Again - they don't have to be course quality traps continually filled with sand (no one will be hitting out of them) - in fact, they don't really need to be filled with sand - they only need to be carved like traps waiting to be filled. The point is, however, to give golfers the chance to practice a variety of shots. For your regular customers, you can actually change pin placements weekly (i.e., one week, put the pin just past a front trap, the next week, have it just in front of a back trap).
4. Permit golfers to accurately understand distance - but in the same way they need to on a course. For a 100 flag, for instance, in the center of the range, the people on the far left and right of the hitting area are going to be hitting slighty longer than 100, but on an actual course you'd need to make this adjustment too. The 100 yard marker on a course is generally measured from the center of the course to the center of the green. If you're 30 yards to the left or right of center (which, on a course, you need to estimate by eye), you know your shot is 105, not 100 (basic Pythagoras). So golfers only need to know they're hitting at a green who's center is 150 from the current hitting area on the range.
So ... make certain that the zero line is clearly marked in the hitting area. And simply do the same thing when you move the flags on the "greens" - replicate course conditions (if the 150 flag measures 150 from your zero line to the center of the green, make it a blue flag when you have it in the back, a red flag when its up front, and a white one when its in the middle). If you do these two simple things - you're giving golfers the same two variables they have on a course - their ball in relation to the 150 marker in the center of the fairway, and the pin in relation to the center of the green.
5. Have a couple of cuts in the hitting area ... i.e., most of it should be fairway length grass, but (depending upon the size of the range) have the two or three stations on the far left and right be longer grass - the first cut of rough (as, in fact, they would be on a fairway). They may not get much use - but the pros - and good amateurs - certainly make a point to allocate practice time hitting out of thicker grass.
6. Lighting. A number of the ranges I've been to that operate at night light very bady - or inefficiently. Trying to fully light up a range that is 200 yards long by 50 yards wide is cost-prohibitive (it'll become a huge expense). So ranges either dimly light everything, or light well, and add an extra $1.00 to every bucket of balls. What golfers actually need, however, is not a fully lit range ... they need to be able to dimly see ball flight, but see the ball land with great clarity. This provides the key to cost-effective night operations IMO. You merely need diffuse light on the open portions of the range, and much brighter spotlights on the greens themselves.
Fortunately, if you're designing a range from scratch, you can provide this easily - floods on tall poles every 75 yards or so on both side of the range, and then a couple of small bright lights at ground level (protected by cages) on each green (wired underground). Further, depending upon the width of the range, it is probably a good idea to have a couple of sets of greens/flags (maybe 50, 100, 150, and 200 on one side, 75, 125, 175, 225 on the other). During the day this gives every a wide variety of practice istances, but at night, it means that when it is slow, you can open (i.e., pay to light) only half the range (i.e., you'll only need to turn half the floods and green lights on).
7. For god's sake, please don't buy the most "cost-efficient" balls out there. There's a variety of range balls on the market, but the primary trade-off is between durability and quality. Obviously, no one is going to expect to be hitting ProV's at a range. Range balls are, by definition, going to be 2-piece balls with hard covers. But there's some that are so bad that it really is like hitting a rock (though they certainly will last almost forever) ... they do mess with the face of Drivers and forged irons, but more importantly, if the feel, flight, and distance of a ball is too significantly different from what you'd experience playing your own balls on a course, once again - as with mats vs. grass - the entire purpose of going to a range has been defeated. People don't go to ranges to get good at hitting on ranges, they go to practice the shots they'll hit on courses.
8. Sand traps ... in the short game practice area, if possible (depending upon the availability of suppliers in the area) have at least a couple of different kinds of sand in seperate traps (e.g., perhaps one trap filled with soft, powdery sand, and another filled with heavier, slightly grainy sand). And have at least a couple of kinds of trap architectures (e.g., one that is shallow, but 30 feet from a pin, and another that is extremely deep - almost a British Open bunker - with a pin 5 feet from the edge). Beginners generally simply diffrentiate between getting out of the sand or not. But - beginners rarely practice out of sand. Its likely to be the good golfers that want disciplined practice - so give them a wide variety of conditions. (And, for your regulars, change it up now and then ... change pin positions, or slightly wet the sand in one trap on a given day, etc., etc.).
9. The Putting Green. Break this into two distinctly different areas (or even two seperate greens). One that is simply perfectly flat, and aonther with everything from slight to significant breaks. The reason is that (I believe, anyway) both pros and good amateurs break putting practice into a couple of distinctly different parts. The first is hard-core stroke mechanics ... the ability to putt a ball a selected distance on a perfectly straight line. The second is green reading - looking at contours, practicing the speed/line trade-off on breaks & etc. Neither a completely flat green, nor a completely controured green provides a genuine putting practice session. Further, on the "mechanics" side of the green (the flat area), on one or two holes, put practice equipment/putting aids ... i.e., get a couple of Pelz tools, or, at minimum, one hole with guides to practice either curved or straight putting strokes, and another that simply has a 15 foot string 4 inches above the green (or even just a straight white lie painted on the green). And even further ... maintain the green as a course green would be maintained ... but as it goes through its weekly cycle (growth/cutting/rolling & etc.) ... do the same thing a good course does - put a sign next to the green with the day's Stimp reading on it.
10. Finally, carefully think through your amenities - your "19th hole" (I'll explain the reason why in a minute). In the beginning, at least have a nice place to sit, with some vending machines. But (depending upon laws in your State) think in terms of eventually possibly even having a bar, and hot food. (This can likely be outsourced - you don't need to run it yourself - just cut a deal with an interested retauranter). Have a small locker room where people can change - perhaps even shower.
___________________________________________
Ok - so that's the whole picture. Let me explain the reasoning. A range that is not connected to a golf course has a high bar it needs to hit. It needs a value proposition. Now, playing 18 on a course is, clearly, a particular "event" for clients. They are playing golf. With most practice ranges - it is not really an event - an activity - it is more like "I'm going to go hit a quick bucket of balls". Now, the economics of the thing suggest that customers utilizing ranges are likely to be relatively price-insensitive (as we economists say), but highly time-sensitive. In other words, if, for a given customer, a bucket of balls went up in price by a dollar at a range that was ten minutes away, and the next nearest range was a half hour away, they sure as hell wouldn't make that extra drive just to save a dollar on a bucket of balls.
Further, look carefully at the time factor. Going to a range to hit a bucket is a half hour proposition. This considerably limits the potential customer base. Think about it - virtually no one is going to drive an hour - i.e., make a two hour round trip - for an activity that last 1/2 hour. I, (and you, and probably most others here) would certainly drive an hour or more to get to a golf course to play 18 - because that is a 4 or 5 hour activity. But if the average driving range surveyed customers for a week, I'd bet they'd find that fully 90% (or more) lived or worked within a 30-40 mile radius of the range. And for those outside of the radius, the range is likely to be a secondary, rather than primary activity (i.e., work is a primary activity, picking the kids up from soccer is a primary activity - thing you specfically leave the house to do - a range that is more than 30 or 40 minutes away is likely to be secondary - i.e., something people are likely to do if they are passing close to it while they're doing something else ... but not something they'll often do for its own sake.)
However, envision the "perfect range" - as described above. It certainly will draw the same folks that an ordinary range would draw - but I believe it would also offer a completely different - and additional - value proposition, especially to anyone with better than a 10 - 15 handicap (i.e., people that don't just casually hit balls now and then, but actually want to practice golf). You'd be creating an environment where "going to the range" could become a primary event ... 2 or 3 hours long. The chance to do a full golf practice session. Driver and irons on fairway like conditions. Take a break, have a beer and a hot dog. Move on to short game and sand practice. Finish with a half hour of putting mechanics on an 8.5 green.
In addition, look carefully at one of the principle differences between ranges and courses: Foursomes. Because playing 18 takes 4 or 5 hours - it is common for groups of 2,3, or 4 to play ... a big part of golf is the social aspects. But planning foursomes always takes time. The norm on ranges is that individuals come to practice. A half hour or 45 minute (secondary) solitary activity generally is not worth the trouble of coordinating rides, or times or the usual things that go into foursomes on courses. An experience that can last 2 or 3 hours, however, and has the same social amenities (bar, food, locker rooms) that surround a course ... well that becomes a different story.
I suspect if you create something like this - you'll not only draw the usual customers - you'll draw people from every level of skill and ability, and from a much larger radius than would be the norm for most ranges. A lot of places have some of what is described, but I've actually never been to a practice facility that truly put the entire package together. Further, though, virtually everything described above actually takes very little (if any) extra capital or fixed costs to do. Maintaining the greens on the range is just a matter of making two cuts instead of one when mowing. Moving the flags, adding different sand, etc., etc. ... point is, the difference between a spectacular practice environment that even pros would find useful, and the ordinary, run of the mill practice range, is not largely a matter of a lot more money so much as it is spending the same money more thoughtfully and carefully - it is paying careful attention while planning the initial architecture, and managing it on a day to day basis with an extreme focus on little details.
Well anyway ... put this post down under the way too much detail category ...
... but I couldn't help myself. I've been thinking about it for years. It was a kick to try to actually put it on paper. Also, I hope it helps a bit.
My biggest pet peeve is distances ... but after a short rant about that, maybe I'll actually try to fully articulate what I believe the perfect range would look like.
Distance: On the one hand, I can't really practice with irons off on mats. I take divots with irons and wedges - as anyone who knows how to hit a golf ball does - so a correct shot off of most mats jars the hands and arms badly. So generally people wind up (almost instinctively) altering their swing path slightly on mats - and try to pick the ball cleanly instead of hitting down through it. But ... the only reason to go to a practice range in the first place is to practice shots you're going to hit on a course. So a range that gives you different conditions than a course will have (and pretty much makes you use a different swing than you'll use on a course) is really just not worth much.
So I go to ranges that let me hit off of grass. Naturally, the management of these ranges requires one strip of grass to be used at a time (generally marked by a couple of strings), while others recover. Also, generally, the yardage markers are in fixed positions (i.e., obviously they don't move every time the strings move). But a primary reason to go to ranges is to work out new shots, new swings. Knowing the precise distance of your shots is critical. If the current hitting area is 10 or 20 yards +/- from where the 150 marker is measured (i.e., an entire club length or more) ... and golfers don't have any way of knowing that, it is a serious problem for anyone trying to do disciplined practice on the range. And yet, it is really amazing how many ranges don't bother to even put +10, -10, +20, +30 (and etc.) markers on the sides of the hitting area ... or even just a "zero line" that would let golfers estimate the +/-.
__________________________________________________
So - Were I to design my "dream range" (that, in fact, I have never seen anywhere - but that I'd go to religiously if one existed in my area) - it might have the following characteristics:
The basic principle (simple as it sounds) is that it would replicate, as closely as possible, the actual conditions of a golf course fairway. This means a number of things.
1. Obviously, the markers should be flags, not signs (on a course, I'm not aiming at a 2 foot wide metal sign that says 150, I'm aiming at a flag).
2. Every flag should be on a decent sized green. Obviously, the greens don't need to be maintained at course quality levels (no one's going to actually be putting on them), but they should be closely mowed, and differentiated very clearly from the rest of the range. Especially in short game practice, you don't just aim at the flag, you want to practice a number of shots. On a course, from 100 yards, depending upon where the pin placement is, I'm going to take a full SW with a lot of spin, try to fly the flag and back the ball up (if the pin, for instance, is on the front edge of the green with a trap protecting it). Or, I'm going to take PW, or even a 9i, minimize spin, land it on the front of the green, and have it release and roll to the flag (if the pin, for instance, is at the back of a long but relatively flat green). Even at 200 yards, however, I want to aim at a green, not just a flag.
3. At least a couple of the greens (especially the short distances) should be protected by "traps". Again - they don't have to be course quality traps continually filled with sand (no one will be hitting out of them) - in fact, they don't really need to be filled with sand - they only need to be carved like traps waiting to be filled. The point is, however, to give golfers the chance to practice a variety of shots. For your regular customers, you can actually change pin placements weekly (i.e., one week, put the pin just past a front trap, the next week, have it just in front of a back trap).
4. Permit golfers to accurately understand distance - but in the same way they need to on a course. For a 100 flag, for instance, in the center of the range, the people on the far left and right of the hitting area are going to be hitting slighty longer than 100, but on an actual course you'd need to make this adjustment too. The 100 yard marker on a course is generally measured from the center of the course to the center of the green. If you're 30 yards to the left or right of center (which, on a course, you need to estimate by eye), you know your shot is 105, not 100 (basic Pythagoras). So golfers only need to know they're hitting at a green who's center is 150 from the current hitting area on the range.
So ... make certain that the zero line is clearly marked in the hitting area. And simply do the same thing when you move the flags on the "greens" - replicate course conditions (if the 150 flag measures 150 from your zero line to the center of the green, make it a blue flag when you have it in the back, a red flag when its up front, and a white one when its in the middle). If you do these two simple things - you're giving golfers the same two variables they have on a course - their ball in relation to the 150 marker in the center of the fairway, and the pin in relation to the center of the green.
5. Have a couple of cuts in the hitting area ... i.e., most of it should be fairway length grass, but (depending upon the size of the range) have the two or three stations on the far left and right be longer grass - the first cut of rough (as, in fact, they would be on a fairway). They may not get much use - but the pros - and good amateurs - certainly make a point to allocate practice time hitting out of thicker grass.
6. Lighting. A number of the ranges I've been to that operate at night light very bady - or inefficiently. Trying to fully light up a range that is 200 yards long by 50 yards wide is cost-prohibitive (it'll become a huge expense). So ranges either dimly light everything, or light well, and add an extra $1.00 to every bucket of balls. What golfers actually need, however, is not a fully lit range ... they need to be able to dimly see ball flight, but see the ball land with great clarity. This provides the key to cost-effective night operations IMO. You merely need diffuse light on the open portions of the range, and much brighter spotlights on the greens themselves.
Fortunately, if you're designing a range from scratch, you can provide this easily - floods on tall poles every 75 yards or so on both side of the range, and then a couple of small bright lights at ground level (protected by cages) on each green (wired underground). Further, depending upon the width of the range, it is probably a good idea to have a couple of sets of greens/flags (maybe 50, 100, 150, and 200 on one side, 75, 125, 175, 225 on the other). During the day this gives every a wide variety of practice istances, but at night, it means that when it is slow, you can open (i.e., pay to light) only half the range (i.e., you'll only need to turn half the floods and green lights on).
7. For god's sake, please don't buy the most "cost-efficient" balls out there. There's a variety of range balls on the market, but the primary trade-off is between durability and quality. Obviously, no one is going to expect to be hitting ProV's at a range. Range balls are, by definition, going to be 2-piece balls with hard covers. But there's some that are so bad that it really is like hitting a rock (though they certainly will last almost forever) ... they do mess with the face of Drivers and forged irons, but more importantly, if the feel, flight, and distance of a ball is too significantly different from what you'd experience playing your own balls on a course, once again - as with mats vs. grass - the entire purpose of going to a range has been defeated. People don't go to ranges to get good at hitting on ranges, they go to practice the shots they'll hit on courses.
8. Sand traps ... in the short game practice area, if possible (depending upon the availability of suppliers in the area) have at least a couple of different kinds of sand in seperate traps (e.g., perhaps one trap filled with soft, powdery sand, and another filled with heavier, slightly grainy sand). And have at least a couple of kinds of trap architectures (e.g., one that is shallow, but 30 feet from a pin, and another that is extremely deep - almost a British Open bunker - with a pin 5 feet from the edge). Beginners generally simply diffrentiate between getting out of the sand or not. But - beginners rarely practice out of sand. Its likely to be the good golfers that want disciplined practice - so give them a wide variety of conditions. (And, for your regulars, change it up now and then ... change pin positions, or slightly wet the sand in one trap on a given day, etc., etc.).
9. The Putting Green. Break this into two distinctly different areas (or even two seperate greens). One that is simply perfectly flat, and aonther with everything from slight to significant breaks. The reason is that (I believe, anyway) both pros and good amateurs break putting practice into a couple of distinctly different parts. The first is hard-core stroke mechanics ... the ability to putt a ball a selected distance on a perfectly straight line. The second is green reading - looking at contours, practicing the speed/line trade-off on breaks & etc. Neither a completely flat green, nor a completely controured green provides a genuine putting practice session. Further, on the "mechanics" side of the green (the flat area), on one or two holes, put practice equipment/putting aids ... i.e., get a couple of Pelz tools, or, at minimum, one hole with guides to practice either curved or straight putting strokes, and another that simply has a 15 foot string 4 inches above the green (or even just a straight white lie painted on the green). And even further ... maintain the green as a course green would be maintained ... but as it goes through its weekly cycle (growth/cutting/rolling & etc.) ... do the same thing a good course does - put a sign next to the green with the day's Stimp reading on it.
10. Finally, carefully think through your amenities - your "19th hole" (I'll explain the reason why in a minute). In the beginning, at least have a nice place to sit, with some vending machines. But (depending upon laws in your State) think in terms of eventually possibly even having a bar, and hot food. (This can likely be outsourced - you don't need to run it yourself - just cut a deal with an interested retauranter). Have a small locker room where people can change - perhaps even shower.
___________________________________________
Ok - so that's the whole picture. Let me explain the reasoning. A range that is not connected to a golf course has a high bar it needs to hit. It needs a value proposition. Now, playing 18 on a course is, clearly, a particular "event" for clients. They are playing golf. With most practice ranges - it is not really an event - an activity - it is more like "I'm going to go hit a quick bucket of balls". Now, the economics of the thing suggest that customers utilizing ranges are likely to be relatively price-insensitive (as we economists say), but highly time-sensitive. In other words, if, for a given customer, a bucket of balls went up in price by a dollar at a range that was ten minutes away, and the next nearest range was a half hour away, they sure as hell wouldn't make that extra drive just to save a dollar on a bucket of balls.
Further, look carefully at the time factor. Going to a range to hit a bucket is a half hour proposition. This considerably limits the potential customer base. Think about it - virtually no one is going to drive an hour - i.e., make a two hour round trip - for an activity that last 1/2 hour. I, (and you, and probably most others here) would certainly drive an hour or more to get to a golf course to play 18 - because that is a 4 or 5 hour activity. But if the average driving range surveyed customers for a week, I'd bet they'd find that fully 90% (or more) lived or worked within a 30-40 mile radius of the range. And for those outside of the radius, the range is likely to be a secondary, rather than primary activity (i.e., work is a primary activity, picking the kids up from soccer is a primary activity - thing you specfically leave the house to do - a range that is more than 30 or 40 minutes away is likely to be secondary - i.e., something people are likely to do if they are passing close to it while they're doing something else ... but not something they'll often do for its own sake.)
However, envision the "perfect range" - as described above. It certainly will draw the same folks that an ordinary range would draw - but I believe it would also offer a completely different - and additional - value proposition, especially to anyone with better than a 10 - 15 handicap (i.e., people that don't just casually hit balls now and then, but actually want to practice golf). You'd be creating an environment where "going to the range" could become a primary event ... 2 or 3 hours long. The chance to do a full golf practice session. Driver and irons on fairway like conditions. Take a break, have a beer and a hot dog. Move on to short game and sand practice. Finish with a half hour of putting mechanics on an 8.5 green.
In addition, look carefully at one of the principle differences between ranges and courses: Foursomes. Because playing 18 takes 4 or 5 hours - it is common for groups of 2,3, or 4 to play ... a big part of golf is the social aspects. But planning foursomes always takes time. The norm on ranges is that individuals come to practice. A half hour or 45 minute (secondary) solitary activity generally is not worth the trouble of coordinating rides, or times or the usual things that go into foursomes on courses. An experience that can last 2 or 3 hours, however, and has the same social amenities (bar, food, locker rooms) that surround a course ... well that becomes a different story.
I suspect if you create something like this - you'll not only draw the usual customers - you'll draw people from every level of skill and ability, and from a much larger radius than would be the norm for most ranges. A lot of places have some of what is described, but I've actually never been to a practice facility that truly put the entire package together. Further, though, virtually everything described above actually takes very little (if any) extra capital or fixed costs to do. Maintaining the greens on the range is just a matter of making two cuts instead of one when mowing. Moving the flags, adding different sand, etc., etc. ... point is, the difference between a spectacular practice environment that even pros would find useful, and the ordinary, run of the mill practice range, is not largely a matter of a lot more money so much as it is spending the same money more thoughtfully and carefully - it is paying careful attention while planning the initial architecture, and managing it on a day to day basis with an extreme focus on little details.
Well anyway ... put this post down under the way too much detail category ...
... but I couldn't help myself. I've been thinking about it for years. It was a kick to try to actually put it on paper. Also, I hope it helps a bit.
#18
Posted 08 November 2006 - 03:16 PM
Good quality balls are important to me.
See if you can sell ice cream and snacks. Beer license would probably be expensive and add to your insurance costs...but you could do some cool promotions on a Friday night. Free bucket of balls for every draft beer you buy...crap like that. I'm sure the college kids would love it.
-Steve
See if you can sell ice cream and snacks. Beer license would probably be expensive and add to your insurance costs...but you could do some cool promotions on a Friday night. Free bucket of balls for every draft beer you buy...crap like that. I'm sure the college kids would love it.
-Steve
#19
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Posted 08 November 2006 - 07:32 PM
+1 on the good balls! We used to have a range up near Edison that was a Golf Digest learning center and they had the Z-Balatas. Great range. Closed down though! 
#20
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Posted 08 November 2006 - 08:34 PM
Like another member mentioned, a bar would create a lot of revenue. Especially with it being a college campus. Is the facility going to be on the college campus becasue if it is then obtaining a liquor license may be difficult.
I dont know how expensive it would be but the new astroturf with the rubber "dirt" i hear is excellent surface and that might elimate the need for an actual grass tee box area. Just a thought.
I dont know how expensive it would be but the new astroturf with the rubber "dirt" i hear is excellent surface and that might elimate the need for an actual grass tee box area. Just a thought.
#21
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Posted 09 November 2006 - 01:58 AM
jallstar23, on Nov 8 2006, 06:34 PM, said:
Like another member mentioned, a bar would create a lot of revenue. Especially with it being a college campus. Is the facility going to be on the college campus becasue if it is then obtaining a liquor license may be difficult.
I dont know how expensive it would be but the new astroturf with the rubber "dirt" i hear is excellent surface and that might elimate the need for an actual grass tee box area. Just a thought.
I dont know how expensive it would be but the new astroturf with the rubber "dirt" i hear is excellent surface and that might elimate the need for an actual grass tee box area. Just a thought.
Unfortunately Utah's "unique" liquor laws would make alcohol sales impossible. Believe me, I'm pretty sure our current revenue would go up considerably if we were allowed to serve beer. As it stands we're on a "dry" campus and state law even makes consumption technically illegal at our facility. Really puts us behind the 8-ball.
#22
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Posted 09 November 2006 - 01:28 PM
wow thanks for the feedback everyone. midasmulligan... I guess all I need to do is cut and paste and my proposal is done, haha. But really, thanks and keep it coming please!
#23
Posted 10 November 2006 - 08:05 PM
I've been to two ranges/pratice facilties that in my mind were pretty close to perfect. First is the onw at Berkeley Hall in South Carolina and the second is the PGA learning center in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Just combine those two and it is perfect.
#24
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Posted 11 November 2006 - 12:37 AM
I agree with Drew that the PGA Learning Center in Port st. Lucie is incredible. It brings together a number of the aspects Midas discussed, and charges you by the day and not by the bucket (at least it did when I was there a number of years ago), which I thought was the coolest thing for a range rat like myself.
I think the biggest area that ranges skimp on is range balls, having nicer range balls (not necessarily ProV1s, but the Srixon range balls seem to be pretty nice) is a major attraction.
Best of luck,
Thomas
I think the biggest area that ranges skimp on is range balls, having nicer range balls (not necessarily ProV1s, but the Srixon range balls seem to be pretty nice) is a major attraction.
Best of luck,
Thomas
#25
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Posted 11 November 2006 - 02:05 AM
How's about a driving range longer than 300yds? I hate short driving ranges, would love to see one resembling the grid with yardages on each side starting at 250 and ending at 400.
If you build it I will come.
If you build it I will come.
#26
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Posted 11 November 2006 - 02:16 AM
You should also think about offering lesson packages and special programs, such as junior clinics.
#27
Posted 12 November 2006 - 03:27 PM
Always have quality range balls that are in good condition at all times. After all, people are paying to hit balls..........so the balls should have a true flight and carry distance.
#28
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Posted 12 November 2006 - 03:31 PM
Longer Yardages
Better Balls
More Targets
Swing Analysis
Tee Of Grass Instead Of Crappy Mats
Wider Bays.
Better Balls
More Targets
Swing Analysis
Tee Of Grass Instead Of Crappy Mats
Wider Bays.
#29
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Posted 14 November 2006 - 01:19 PM
If you are going with a better practice ball, be sure to go with a better ball picker. Every time I hit balls at my home course I have at least three or four out of two dozen that are cut.
I'd do synthetic greens in your short game area just because the of the maintenance aspect. If you go that route, you wouldn't have to buy other equipment to maintain the greens and you could save yourself some money on irrigation.
As others have said, grass hitting surfaces for the season. Artificial mats for the dormant season.
Lights - check.
I would think you would be setting yourself up for a big headache if you could sell liquor/beer. Insurance could possibly run you into the ground if something were to happen. Get a good attorney to be safe.
Targets - check.
Target greens that are receptive - check.
Distance markers that are not stationary. Accurate distance markers are a must.
Your look and layout will bring the people in. I've seen countless ranges that just look awful. Torn nets hanging from utility poles, worn out mats, etc. Get them to your place with the sizzle, once they are there you sell them the steak. Keep it clean and up to par on maintenance.
Good luck and have fun with this project. Post some pictures when it gets off the ground.
I'd do synthetic greens in your short game area just because the of the maintenance aspect. If you go that route, you wouldn't have to buy other equipment to maintain the greens and you could save yourself some money on irrigation.
As others have said, grass hitting surfaces for the season. Artificial mats for the dormant season.
Lights - check.
I would think you would be setting yourself up for a big headache if you could sell liquor/beer. Insurance could possibly run you into the ground if something were to happen. Get a good attorney to be safe.
Targets - check.
Target greens that are receptive - check.
Distance markers that are not stationary. Accurate distance markers are a must.
Your look and layout will bring the people in. I've seen countless ranges that just look awful. Torn nets hanging from utility poles, worn out mats, etc. Get them to your place with the sizzle, once they are there you sell them the steak. Keep it clean and up to par on maintenance.
Good luck and have fun with this project. Post some pictures when it gets off the ground.
#30
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Posted 14 November 2006 - 01:50 PM
BUNKERS!!! sand to green shots!!
I never get to practice bunker shots, and the few ranges that do have practive bunkers dont have greens to hit on.
movable targets besides the ball picker. Make a game out of practice
I never get to practice bunker shots, and the few ranges that do have practive bunkers dont have greens to hit on.
movable targets besides the ball picker. Make a game out of practice
#31
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Posted 14 November 2006 - 02:14 PM
Yes bunker area is key with greens. tought o find a public facility with that
#32
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Posted 14 November 2006 - 02:22 PM
I would like real practice greens to hit at. Sand traps around the greens. A short shot practice area..Bent grass hitting area. Build a great practice facility and they will come...
#33
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Posted 14 November 2006 - 09:37 PM
this is not an original idea, KEVIN BASS, PGA PRO, i have to credit.he had a vision to place live closed circuit tv above the 3 closest target greens. those 3 on his range were 100yds,125yds and 150yds thus giving a sense of awareness of the actual distance from the pin. he knew it could be done but the factors of the money and know how were not available. if anyone has ever done this i would love to know and see one day. plus it would be and easy way to promote the range and offer opprotunities of hole in one contest. oh well maybe one day
#34
Posted 16 November 2006 - 11:41 PM
I travel to Jacksonville, Fl once a month for work. I am there for about a week at a time. The University of North Florida built a golf practice facility in I believe 2003 or 2004. It is top notch. It was cut out of a nature preserve and is absolutely gorgeous. They have a full practice tee area with grass and mats ( they alternate with most of the days being grass). The range is more than 300 yds which is nice to watch drivers land and not hit a net. They also feature a full short game area with a enormous putting green and an equally large chipping green with two sand traps.
The true beauty lies in the several practice holes that they feature. There are three holes with the last featuring two greens so you can play it as a par 5, par 4 or par 3. The facility is in top notch shape.
The pay structure is also one that I had never seen. You pay by the hour. So if you want to hit balls you pay $8 for a large bucket of balls and they give you an hour to hit them. If you want to then go play you simply pay for how long you are out there. Most of the time I would just go and putt, chip and play the three holes.
It is a true "practice" facility.
PM me if you want any additional info.
-Craig
The true beauty lies in the several practice holes that they feature. There are three holes with the last featuring two greens so you can play it as a par 5, par 4 or par 3. The facility is in top notch shape.
The pay structure is also one that I had never seen. You pay by the hour. So if you want to hit balls you pay $8 for a large bucket of balls and they give you an hour to hit them. If you want to then go play you simply pay for how long you are out there. Most of the time I would just go and putt, chip and play the three holes.
It is a true "practice" facility.
PM me if you want any additional info.
-Craig
#35
Posted 17 November 2006 - 10:09 AM
Good Grass, Good Balls, and make sure the orientation of the tee lines is aimed into the prevailing wind...right to left preferable... sorry lefty's....
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