Golf Driving Range Ideas - what would you want?

[skilly1]

I have the opportunity to build a new driving range building and outfield - the land is 300m long by 50m wide and there is an existing driving range building on site but it is knackered.

What would you like to see which would attract you to a our range and not the other 2 local to us?

[Charlie1986]

Maybe some kind of sensor or screen that will tell you the swing seen and maybe the the drift or fade of the shot from the start.

[Dan_1981]

Decent balls - I'm still talking range balls but not ones with massive chips out of them in horrendous condition.

Decent mats that allow me to use either an auto tee machine, or use my own tees.

Some sort of scope for practice off of the ground rather than mats.

Heated & well lit for the winter.

Swing monitors etc are nice and I might use them every so often but not if they make the price for coming and hitting a bucket of balls prohibitive.

[kentlad]

For me, it would be the other facilities. Such as a decent short game area, bunker practice areas, putting greens etc. Also, having a nice cafe would make a difference. Somewhere to grab a coffee/beer before or after practising. That would make me visit one range over another...Otherwise I'd be just going to the closest one/cheapest. And as mentioned above, decent range balls and a good heating system for the winter. Have you considered a two tier range? Are the others in your area two tiered? If not, it could be worth considering as a USP?

[Rosscow]

Late night opening in the winter, say until 9pm.

Good mats make a real difference, and being able to use your normal tees instead of those stupid rubber things that are either too tall or too short!

[skilly1]

Thinking of a different business model, members only.

Would you pay £20 per month for:

Unlimited balls
Unlimted use
Proper distance balls
Range open till 11pm
Very well lit outfield
Very good Matts
Heaters

Idealy I don't want to fit pop up's as they cost £1k each per year and I would like to spend the money elsewhere. Is that a deal breaker?

[Gargamel]

I want moving targets ! Ideally lingerie clad supermodels wearing high heels at the 100 yard and 200 yard markers.

Fixed price membership is a good idea, but I think you may find £20 to low for some users.

Maybe a tiered system of bronze, silver, gold with a 500 balls, 1000 balls and then unlimited.

Auto tee not a deal breaker, but probably good to have in some bays

[Dan_1981]

Auto tee not a deal breaker not if I can use my own tee's rather than those rubber things.

£20 for unlimited might be doable - some months I hardly go at all others I'll go twice a week.

At £20 it doesn't matter if I don't fully get my moneys worth every month.


In the winter i'd use it more - please make me stay dry - extend the canopy out enough that I can stay dry if it's raining towards me, but I can also practice my wedges.