40 replies to this topic

[topr]

We have a shop similar to what your talking about doing in my area, his niche is driving range next to the shop. It's what pays his bills.

[subrosa]

This might not work for you, but here are a few things I have noticed myself saying "boy I wish..."

If you could rent out space from the local driving range, I couldn't think of a better location. I am there with all my clubs and why not give something new a shot.
My local range had a pro shop at one point (sadly closed and replaced with a custom club fitter that is never open), I can't even tell you how much money I spent there, it was open after work and allowed me to test things out in the "real world" instead of indoors on a mat.

Another range I frequent has a nice big retail space for exactly your type of business, as it is right now they carry nothing but do offer as-you-wait grip changing which isn't bad at all.

The only weird service no shop around me offers is putter services i.e. bending/reshafting.

I would also check the rush hour and see if you can have workable hours for those commuting/working around the area. I love stopping into the little shops on my way home but they usually open the same hours I work i.e. 9-5.

[Golfrnut]

Fade, on 16 January 2013 - 07:36 PM, said:

Is taking over the other fellow's golf-store an option?

LOL...

By force or by asking nicely?

[Golfrnut]

topr, on 17 January 2013 - 12:42 AM, said:

We have a shop similar to what your talking about doing in my area, his niche is driving range next to the shop. It's what pays his bills.

The outdoor hitting area would be a gem, but as with most places, hard to find unless you want to buy the property and build your establishment off of that.  Then you are also dealing with zoning laws for a running a business etc etc.  There are driving ranges at the courses around here but nothing that really has a demo/fitting area attatched.  It would be a great market for something like that, but very hard to make happen.

[Golfrnut]

subrosa, on 17 January 2013 - 03:27 AM, said:

I am there with all my clubs and why not give something new a shot. My local range had a pro shop at one point (sadly closed and replaced with a custom club fitter that is never open), I can't even tell you how much money I spent there, it was open after work and allowed me to test things out in the "real world" instead of indoors on a mat.

As above, would be nice but very hard to make happen.  A good fitting system is almost the only option, unless you are able to be mobile and get the local courses interested in having your business for fitting/demo events at the course.  If you can get a descent number of OEM's on board, it's an excellent option as you can provide equipment/fittings to members that the course cannot offer.  Most of the places here have a small pro shop, but not much in the way of demo options and certainly no way to give ball flight/fitting data.

Quote

Another range I frequent has a nice big retail space for exactly your type of business, as it is right now they carry nothing but do offer as-you-wait grip changing which isn't bad at all. The only weird service no shop around me offers is putter services i.e. bending/reshafting. I would also check the rush hour and see if you can have workable hours for those commuting/working around the area. I love stopping into the little shops on my way home but they usually open the same hours I work i.e. 9-5.

Grip changing, putter bending/fitting...are all perfectly viable and doable options.

[Fade]

Golfrnut, on 17 January 2013 - 06:21 AM, said:

Fade, on 16 January 2013 - 07:36 PM, said:

Is taking over the other fellow's golf-store an option?

LOL...

By force or by asking nicely?

By some form of purchase. You mentioned the longevity of the business. Perhaps the owner wants to retire in the next 5 years, but doesn't have a succession plan in place. It might not be the worst idea, if there isn't enough room for 2 shops competing in that small-ish market.

[Golfrnut]

Fade, on 17 January 2013 - 06:42 AM, said:

Golfrnut, on 17 January 2013 - 06:21 AM, said:

Fade, on 16 January 2013 - 07:36 PM, said:

Is taking over the other fellow's golf-store an option?

LOL... By force or by asking nicely?

By some form of purchase. You mentioned the longevity of the business. Perhaps the owner wants to retire in the next 5 years, but doesn't have a succession plan in place. It might not be the worst idea, if there isn't enough room for 2 shops competing in that small-ish market.

Oh, this guy is not that old...or that rich.  Nor do I have the coin to do anything remotely close to that.  If it's something that is going to happen, it has to start small and build from there.  My pockets are not nearly deep enough to buy someone out of a business.

[Graymulligan]

Golfrnut, on 16 January 2013 - 04:26 PM, said:

And we are talking about a rough county population of 110K+.  Not huge by any means, but there are enough of the population to keep a number of courses in the general area up and running.


The county I live in has a population of about 350K, this does not include surrounding counties obviously as well.

Wait...so which is it..110k or 350k?  Because that's a big swing.  (Again, not trying to be negative, but that number matters a lot)

[Golfrnut]

Graymulligan, on 17 January 2013 - 09:02 AM, said:

Golfrnut, on 16 January 2013 - 04:26 PM, said:

And we are talking about a rough county population of 110K+. Not huge by any means, but there are enough of the population to keep a number of courses in the general area up and running. The county I live in has a population of about 350K, this does not include surrounding counties obviously as well.

Wait...so which is it..110k or 350k? Because that's a big swing. (Again, not trying to be negative, but that number matters a lot)

I think you mixed the numbers of two different posts.  Someone else gave the 350K number for their respective area.

[jwclubbie]

I have about 350k in my county, not including the surrounding population. If you bust your tail with a population like mine, you can make it work.

[Chief Illiniwek]

I've always wondered why nobody partners up with strip mall pubs to have a golf themed bar/simulator/golf shop. The bar gives a reason for guys to pop in and play some golf on the simulator, but then could also do fittings, test new clubs, etc. During winter you could be fixing lofts and lies, changing shafts, grips, etc. Overhead could be much lower by making a deal with the pub for space as you'll be bringing them food and drink sales. If things go well you could expand to offering irons, woods, shafts, whatever.