What should I check before buying a golf driving range?

A standalone range is simpler than a golf course, but it still has parts that wear out and a site that matters a great deal. Start with a long walk of the property at an unhurried pace, ideally on a busy day and a quiet one. Take photographs, ask who maintains each item and ask when it was last replaced. Course pages cover greens and memberships; this page is about the range alone.

Netting, poles and the tee line

Netting and poles guard neighbours and passing traffic, so they are the first thing to inspect. Ask for repair records, and have a qualified person look at the poles and anchors. Then check the mats, tee line and target greens. Ask how often mats are replaced and who paid for the last set. Note where balls actually land, and whether any leave the property.

Balls, dispensers and the picker

Ask how the ball stock is counted and how it is replaced as it wears. Test the dispensers and the picker or collection machine, since they work hardest on site. A machine that is old and constantly mended can cost more in downtime than its replacement would. Ask for the service history and the supplier’s name.

Lighting, land and extra income

Lighting decides how many hours the range can trade, but local rules may limit it, so ask the municipality and your lawyer. Read the lease if the land is leased, including who can end it and how it is renewed. If the land is owned, ask a lawyer what comes with it. Then separate lesson, pro-shop and food income from bucket sales, and learn who the instructors are and whether they will stay.