You may have noticed you do not see a lot of new golf courses popping up, but have you noticed the changes happening to the ones that were already there? In 2020 alone, over half of the golf facilities in the United States were undergoing or planning large projects and capital expenditures. From renovations to repairs, US golf facilities are investing more and more into their courses every year. With so few newly constructed golf facilities, the existing clubs and courses are in competition to have the most up-to-date, eye-pleasing, and enjoyable facility.
There are a couple of ways to keep your golf facility in the 21st century (or bring it there for the first time). The most striking changes come from enhancements, and there are a couple of different enhancements to choose from. Every enhancement is different and just because they are pretty does not mean they’re right for your facility. No matter who is designing and installing your enhancements, pay close attention to the constraints of your facility, poorly placed enhancements may be worse than not having any at all.
Water Features
Increasing ambiance and value are two positives of water features. With a range of sizes, these are the most accessible of enhancements.
Landscape Lighting
Your course may not be open at night, but it should still be visible and appealing to passersby. Lighting allows you to control what is seen on your course and how it’s displayed.
Hardscapes
A category of enhancements referring to any nonliving elements in a landscape. Walkways, pathways, bridges, and fences are all hardscape options for golf facilities.
Annual Flowers
Green does not have to be the only color on the course. Installing annual flowers is the most cost-efficient way to update your course and impress golfers.
Earlier we noted that fewer new golf facilities are opening each year, and this means that the ones who are still open are getting older and older. Major renovation projects at golf facilities have accounted for almost $4 billion over the past 12 years. Facilities that are still using their original irrigation systems, old equipment, or broken machinery cost themselves more in the long run by racking up repair costs and end up needing to lease new carts and equipment.
In 2020, 78 golf facilities re-opened after extensive renovations that included a minimum of nine holes being closed for at least three months.
Data shows that golf facilities that go out of business tend to suffer from a shared pain point, lack of capital investment. While many courses which close are simply not planning to make large enhancements or improvements, there is also an astounding lack of resources and access to capital expenditure. Golf facility and golf course maintenance and management are expensive endeavors and require a large amount of cash flow to receive a return on investment. Some business models, such as the outsourced model, allow for outside capital investments to fuel improvements, repairs, and the success of the facility, all without additional investment by the facility itself.
If you are interested in repairs, renovations, or golf facility services talk to DTE Golf® now and find out how we do golf better.
