What should I check before buying a mini golf business?

A mini golf business is a small seasonal attraction. It is not a golf course, and the checks are different. The course itself is simple, so the questions that matter most are about wear, the ground under it, the weather and the hours it takes to run. Visit on a busy day and a quiet day, and talk with the staff as well as the seller.

Holes, carpet and features

Walk every hole. Look at the carpet, the borders, the obstacles and any water features, lighting or signs. Ask when each was last repaired or replaced, and what the seller would fix first. Ask a contractor to look at anything that worries you, especially drainage or structural problems.

The land and the lease

Find out whether the seller owns the land or rents it. If it is rented, read the lease with your lawyer: how long it runs, how rent can change, whether you may renew and whether the landlord must consent to a new operator. The BDC article on lease terms is a good list of questions to take to that meeting.

Weather, season and add-on sales

Ask for records that show the opening and closing dates and the rainy stretches. Then look at what sits beside the golf: snacks, drinks, an arcade, party bookings. Ask how each is run, who supplies the stock and equipment, and whether any of it needs separate licences that your lawyer should check.

The owner’s hours

Ask the seller to write down a typical week, including opening, cashing out, maintenance and booking parties. Compare it to the staff schedule. If the owner covers the gaps, you will be covering them too, or paying someone to. Read the due diligence guide for a golf course for more on records to request.