What should I ask about a driving range’s lesson pros and who owns the students?

Begin with the contracts. Ask to see each pro’s agreement and read how lesson revenue is split, who sets prices and who handles bookings. A pro who rents space and keeps all lesson fees creates a very different business than one who is paid by the range.

Then ask about the students. Who holds their contact details, the range’s booking system or the pro’s own phone? If a pro leaves after the sale, do the students leave too? Ask the seller what happened in the past when a pro quit, and whether any agreement limits a departing pro from teaching nearby. Talk to the pros directly, with the seller’s permission. Find out whether they plan to stay, what they expect from a new owner and whether they would sign a fresh agreement. Look at junior clinics and group programs separately, since they often run under the range’s name. Finally, ask about insurance and certifications for each instructor, and about anything the range promised to a pro that is not written down. Your lawyer can tell you what a restrictive clause actually does. Ask how new students usually find a pro, whether through the range’s website, its signs or word of mouth, since that shows who really brings the students in.

Key takeaways

• Find out whether each pro is an employee, contractor or tenant.
• Ask who holds the student contact list and booking records.
• Speak with the pros before the deal closes.