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How Much Does It Cost to Build a Mini Golf Course?

How to Start a Mini Golf Course Business

If you have ever visited a mini golf course facility you will agree that it is a business that involves not just enormous start-up capital but loads of planning and work.

In essence, building a mini golf course is considered a big business because of the investment involved. Acquiring the land, carrying out construction work, and equipment needed for playing golf and other related activities will cost you a lot of money.

When it comes to building a mini golf course, the budget is not fixed and can differ from one entrepreneur to another. This is so because different entrepreneurs have different preferences, and these preferences are part of the factors that will influence the overall cost of building the golf course.

In this article, we will discuss some of the major factors that can influence the overall cost of building a mini golf course.

7 Factors That Influence the Cost of Building Mini Golf Course

  1. The Size of the Land and Infrastructure

One of the major factors that can greatly influence the cost of building a mini golf course is the size of the land and infrastructure required for building the mini golf course.

Come to think of it, the bigger the size of the land and infrastructure you settle for, the more you are expected to spend on lease or rent or acquiring the land and putting in place the required infrastructure.

Please note that the cost of acquiring the land and installing the needed amenities can vary depending on the location, size of the property, design complexity, materials used, local construction costs, proximity to urban areas, and local real estate market conditions amongst other factors.

  1. The Cost of Amenities and Utilities

Trust me, the amount you are expected to spend on basic utilities such as electricity, water supply, drainage systems, waste disposal, lighting, furnishing, electronics, gadgets, parking areas, and access roads can add up significantly to the overall cost of building a mini golf course.

Please note that you are going to spend money on installing or upgrading the infrastructure in your mini golf course and this amount will depend on the scope and requirements of your specific location.

  1. The Cost of Acquiring Equipment and Supplies

If you are building a mini golf course, you should expect to spend money to acquire the needed equipment and supplies.

You may need to acquire; miniature golf balls, scorecards, pencils, flags for holes, a scoreboard, obstacles (e.g., windmills, tunnels, water features), putting greens, artificial turf or carpeting, tee mats, flags or markers for tee boxes, holes or cups, rakes (for sand traps), brooms, trash receptacles, benches or seating, directional signs,

Hole number signs, safety fencing, lighting (if operating at night), ticket booth or point-of-sale system, maintenance equipment (e.g., lawnmowers, trimmers), groundskeeping tools, etc.

No doubt, the budget for acquiring mini golf course equipment and supplies will influence the overall cost of building a mini golf course.

  1. The Mini Golf Course Design and Layout

It is common to enhance the aesthetics of a mini golf course with landscaping, including plants, shrubs, and decorative elements that match your theme. As expected, there are different types of designs and layouts that a mini golf course can take.

Some mini golf courses utilize the natural terrain of their location, such as hills, rocks, and landscaping, while others ensure that the course is accessible to people with disabilities by incorporating ramps, accessible pathways, and other necessary features in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Basically, when you contract an architect to help you design a mini golf course, they will charge based on the complexity or simplicity of the design and layout you choose.

  1. The Types of Permits, Licenses, and Approvals Needed

If you are looking to build a mini golf course in any city in the United States of America, you will be expected to apply for all the needed permits, licenses, and approvals from all the appropriate authorities within your jurisdiction. Please make sure you budget for a business license, zoning permit, building permit, health department permit,

Fire department permit, entertainment or amusement license, music license, alcohol license (if applicable), food service license (if applicable), signage permit, special events permit (if applicable), insurance (liability and property),

Employee identification number (EIN), state and local permits and noise ordinance permits (if applicable). Trust me, the amount you are expected to spend in this regard is going to be a significant part of your budget.

  1. The Cost of Landscaping and Aesthetics

You should not only concentrate on designing and building the inside of the mini golf course but also on the outside. That is where landscaping and aesthetics come in.

Expenses for materials like artificial turf, putting greens, obstacles (e.g., windmills, tunnels, water features), and landscaping will come in here. This is the reason why you must have a robust budget for landscaping and aesthetics when drawing up your budget.

The amount you are expected to spend in this regard will be based on your preference and the class of customers you want to attract.

  1. Miscellaneous Expenses

Miscellaneous expenses vary and they could cover expenses such as land mortgages, construction loans, equipment financing, working capital, interest rates, insurance, taxes,

Professional consulting fees (such as architects, engineers, lawyers, and planning, design, legal compliance, and financial matters), utilities, training, and recruitment of employees, and unforeseen contingencies.

Also, costs associated with legal fees for consulting with an attorney and drafting necessary contracts and agreements should be considered miscellaneous expenses.