After coming up with the idea, the next step in starting your golf course should be to write a business plan.  The business plan will make you focus on some important aspects of the business, such as who your customers are, how you plan to reach them, projecting sales and expenses, your value proposition to use for marketing, and more. You’ll also need to do some research to calculate exactly what your start-up expenses will be and what your ongoing expenses will be.

Not only will a bank require you to have a business plan if you need financing, but multiple studies have shown that having a good business plan increases the odds of starting a successful business. Writing the plan helps you to think through all the aspects of the business and then serves as a guide as you begin.

Related: How to write a business plan

Finding the perfect golf course name can be challenging. Not only does the name have to reflect what you do and be appealing to customers, but it also has to be available to use. You can check your state’s website to see if the name is available and register your name.  Your name should make you stand out, reflect your brand, and tell potential customers exactly what you do.

A business entity refers to how a business is legally organized to operate. There are four primary business entities to choose from, which include the sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and Limited Liability Company (LLC). Each type of entity has its own pros and cons, such as liability exposure, costs, and administrative requirements.

When deciding on which business entity is best for a golf course, it normally comes down to the sole proprietorship and Limited Liability Company.

A partnership opens the owners up to unnecessary personal liability because if a partner does something to get the business sued, or runs off with cash from the business, the other partners are personally liable to repay. The corporation can be a good choice because it separates the business assets from the owner’s assets. If the corporation is sued or certain business debts can’t be paid back, the owners aren’t personally responsible to repay them. The downside to the corporation is that it is more complicated than all the other entities and requires more administration than the LLC. If you plan on raising a lot of investment though, the corporation is usually the better choice.

That leaves the sole proprietorship and LLC.

The sole proprietorship is the least expensive and easiest entity to start which is appealing. The downside is the owner is personally liable should anything happen to the business, which is an important consideration. The LLC offers the ability to operate as a sole proprietorship with the liability protection of a corporation. Depending on the state, the cost to form an LLC runs from $40 – $500, which is pretty inexpensive for protecting the owners from business-related lawsuits and certain debts.

Related: 3 steps to forming your LLC
 

You will need to find land for a golf facility that is not far from where people live and work, preferably with high road traffic for visibility and affordable land costs.

Investing in a golf course architect is strongly encouraged as they can help reduce construction costs, design proper drainage, and select lower maintenance landscaping.

Related: Choosing a business location

You may need to obtain certain business licenses and permits. These permits and licenses can vary based on the state and town where the business is located.

Some areas heavily regulate certain chemicals that would be used on the greens to reduce their environmental impact. Be sure to check on any restrictions before applying chemicals on the property.

Check with your state for specific license and permit requirements for your golf course. Some common licenses and permits may include; a business license, sales tax permit, and an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Related: Common business licenses, permits, and registrations by state

Coming up with a good business idea and having the skills to run it are one thing but getting the funding to start a golf course is another.  In order to get a loan, the borrower(s) will need to have good credit and be able to invest 15-25% of their money towards the total start-up costs.

Related: Finding the money to start a business

Keeping your business and personal finances in separate business bank and credit card accounts makes it easier to track the income and expenses of the business.

Marketing and acquiring customers will be your biggest challenge and an ongoing expense.  Your location is critical to getting customers, so choose wisely. It’s important to continually reach new players and keep existing customers coming back weekend after weekend.

Common marketing techniques for a golf course include advertisements on social media platforms, online advertising, and marketing through tourism publications. Developing a website can be a significant expense, but it can also give your golf course greater visibility online.

Related: Low-cost ideas to market a new business

A golf course needs several types of insurance to fully protect the business. A few of the more common types of insurance include:

– General liability insurance can help protect you from third-party claims of bodily injury and property damage.
– Professional liability insurance protects you from claims of professional errors or negligence that result in a financial loss.
– Worker’s compensation insurance covers expenses like medical bills and legal fees that a business might face if an employee were ever hurt while working.

Insurance policies will vary. To get the most accurate idea of what to budget for insurance, request quotes from multiple providers. When comparing the quotes, consider not only the premiums but also how the plan exclusions, coverage limitations, and deductibles compare.

Related: Common types of insurance a business may need

Golf courses are labor-intensive businesses and several employees will be needed to help run and maintain the golf course.  Make sure that you select people with appropriate experience and training.

In addition to salary costs, your budget will also need to include other employee-related expenses. Workman’s comp insurance, unemployment insurance, and paid time off are common expenses that a business will need to cover when hiring staff.

Payroll costs are often the largest operational cost for a golf course and average 25%-30% of total sales.

Related: Hiring your first employee

Setting up an accounting system for your golf course is critical to the long-term success of your business.

Staying on top of taxes not only keeps the business out of trouble with the government but the numbers can be used to track and monitor trends and cash flow in the business and maximize profits.

Related: Setting up the accounting for your business