How do I judge the condition of a driving range’s turf and hitting mats?

Start on the tee line. Stand on each mat and feel for flattened fibre, loose edges, cracks and slippery spots. Ask how old the mats are and whether any are patched. Check the grass tee area too: is divot recovery keeping up, or is the ground thin and hard?

Next, look at the field. Walk it, not just view it from the tee. Look for ruts from the picker, standing water, soft spots and sections that die back every summer. Ask how irrigation, fertilizing and aeration are handled, and who does that work. A tidy-looking field can hide a drainage problem that only shows after heavy rain. Ask for maintenance records and receipts for the last few seasons, plus any quotes the seller has received for new mats or reseeding. Compare that spending with the books. Talk to regular customers about the surface. Complaints about bays that are closed, mats that slip or a field that floods are useful clues. A turf specialist can give you a replacement plan that you can set against the price discussion. If the range closes for part of the year, ask what repairs are done in that downtime and whether any are overdue, because a long list of deferred work is a cost you take on.

Key takeaways

• Stand on every mat and walk the whole field, not only the tee line.
• Ask for maintenance receipts and any outstanding replacement quotes.
• Listen to regular customers on surface complaints.