First, it is imperative to note that there are no government or industry guidelines indicating the number of acres you need for a driving range in the United States; however, a good number of driving ranges will offer up to 10 acres (4,000 sq. meters) of land to those looking to practice their skills and strength in golf.
Also note there are properly built private driving ranges with less than 1 acre of space, howbeit, those looking to build a good driving range are advised to use at least 2 Acres. Driving ranges are well-renowned within the golfing industry and they are a vital part of any golfer’s game.
Note that golfers or individuals who are interested in golfing, visit these locations to practice their swing and develop their skills.
These places tend to feature practice greens, putting greens, driver nets, as well as short game areas such as bunkers or even chipping mats.
Note that a viable driving range needs around 7 and 16 acres to encompass the field into which the balls will be hit. According to experts, this field needs to be at least 350 meters long, to guarantee that balls won’t fly outside the perimeter.
Although there are golfers who can hit the ball over 350 meters when playing on a golf course, note that the sort of ball used on driving ranges is not always as fast as those used on golf courses.
Your facility will also need to have adequate parking space for your clients since they will want their vehicles safe while swinging their arms in your range. They will also want to come prepared since most will come to your range with their own clubs, and as such it is necessary that your car park is close to the reception area and the shooting bay.
You will also need to purchase and store heavy equipment like ball collectors and mowers. Don’t forget that you will also need a place for ball cleaning.
Factors That Influence the Number of Acres for a Driving Range
The number of acres you will need for your driving range will most definitely vary depending on several critical elements. Below are some of the key elements that influence a golf driving range size;
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Complexity
Truth be told, it can be fun and satisfying to fire your shots and practice your techniques from a shooting bay or tee mat in a driving range. However, it is imperative to note that there is more to a driving range than just shooting bays and tee mats.
There are driving ranges that feature obstacles that implore players to create a strategy or even incur potential penalties. Have it in mind that the more obstacles you intend to create for your golfers, the more space you will need and the more resources you will have to invest.
Owing to that, ensure to consider the type and number of obstacles you intend to put in place when choosing the appropriate space for your driving range.
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Level of competition
A driving range can sometimes be used to host golf tournament fundraisers for charities and many brands. If you already own a driving range, then you understand the different levels of competition.
It is imperative you take into consideration your market and the potential services you will offer when deciding the appropriate size for your driving range. Have it in mind that as the level of play increases, other standards will also be expected to increase. As such, it is necessary you consider future modifications when choosing the number of acres you need for your range.
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Level of demand
You should also take into consideration the level of demand and the services you intend to offer. Take your time to estimate the number of balls that will be purchased on a typical day. Once you can ascertain this, further multiply this by 365 – or the number of days in a year you intend to open for business – to understand or estimate your annual sales. Other things to take into consideration include:
- The amount of bays you intend to have in your range
- The number of baskets of balls golfers will hit from each bay or tee mat while visiting your range in one day. For instance, if you intend to stay open for 8 hours every day and your visitors usually take around 30 minutes to work through a basket of balls, then each bay would need a maximum capacity of 20 baskets for each working day
- Also, take into consideration the overall occupancy of the range. For instance, it is possible that your range may be at maximum occupancy with golfers using each bay for a couple of hours in the evening but have just about a 10% occupancy rate during the morning hours. Take this into consideration when analyzing what would be the overall daily average of your range.
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Existing business vs. building from the scratch
It is possible to buy an existing driving range rather than build yours from the ground up. While you can make minor or major adjustments within the range, the land is already purchased and there is nothing significant you can do about that.
Nevertheless, note that purchasing an already existing business can be quite risky unless you have the requisite abilities and experience on your team, including legal and financial know-how.
Conclusion
When looking to build or purchase a driving range, it is imperative you understand from the very beginning that the right location is necessary to ensure that you can attain success and draw in the right crowd.
Note that viable driving ranges need around 7 and 16 acres, however, also don’t forget to take into consideration the maintenance of your facility. This maintenance will more or less involve mowing the range, maintaining grass, as well keeping tee areas clean.