Disc Golf Driving Range (Investment)

[Smigles]

I want 300 polecats and a 1200 foot hole.

Deal.

And I want to see your arm after you threw all these 300 polecats. Will probably take you out for weeks ^^

On Topic : Sounds like a great idea ! ^^ I would definitly go there from time to time. It will be a pain in the ass though to get that many discs together, and in al these different molds and weights. It's not like in ball golf where a ball is a ball.

[Lithicon]

Yeah, weight, mold, and plastic are going to kill this as far as disc availability. I mean don't get me wrong many stores buy lots of useless disc that sit. But, to get this many disc for several people would be expensive. Not to mention someone will break some "some how." They will usually not take too much wear, but just landing in a field will be a slow beat in process. Once it's established I could see operating cost being fairly relevant, the new gear wouldn't be hard to aquire. Many would probably donate some disc.

But, then you really get into the "is this disc too beat to be on the shelves for testing." it's gonna be interesting. I know a pro will be there, but is this pro going to help everyone, or just walk around like a gym teacher? It's one thing to go there and practice, and go there expecting one on one advice. It all sounds nice, and could be if done properly. But, it looks like it might be harder to execute than it sounds.

[chainsmoker]

I want to be the jerk who throws at the cart when it's going out to pick up the discs. I can't wait to hear people yell fore! from cars as they drive past.

[Leopard]

in all seriousness, re: dg driving ranges

at the 36-holer where i worked for a few years, the driving range idea came up constantly. we definitely had the land, and it was right between the two courses in a huge field. but the "bucket-o-disc" problem came up too much.

you'd basically have to switch the business model for a ball golf driving range: balls are irrelevant and not analogous to anything in a dg range. what your driving range would have to stock would be clubs... every club, every size, etc etc. or risk being obviously incomplete in the goal.

the range in austin was mentioned... it's not a separate entity or main attraction. the range could never support itself without the store. and the store probably wouldn't be the same without the online store.

so what we've seen in 2 different facilities in one of the most dense DG populations nationally is that a DG driving range, done right, cannot be sustained in the current state of the game.

if someone nails it, that'd be awesome.

[veganray]

if someone nails it, that'd be awesome.

^^^ Leopard's tramp stamp.

[MDL1113]

First the range will not offer PLAYERS 300 of the same disc... Users can buy disc in a group of 300 so they would get 6 discs and 50 each.. ect... ( Also we know it is not realistic to think that be could offer every kind of disc in large numbers. ( The plan/model that we will be using is a donation & user to user rental system that will allow players to donate discs and also rent out discs to users on the range. Also we will have a stock on new(Range Discs by all major brands)

Second -- The main advantage that this range give to users is the ability to really practice in the Winter and Colder Months of the year. We have found that in the Leigh Valley around 80% of players to not practice or play nearly as much in the colder months. Players do not like to play when they have to ware to much clothing and when temps are two low. And as a result the "Heated" Driving range will have a influx of users during this time.

Join the Investors
http://fiverr.com/users/michaellesavoy/gigs/start-taking-investors-for-a-lehigh-valley-franchise-disc-golf-driving-range?ref=glst-g-ttl

[mliguori]

So this place is going to be indoors? Where exactly in the Lehigh Valley area is this going to be?

[Lithicon]

Another question, with all these disc going out and there will obviously be a return system. Ok, how is this system going to run? What's the turn around on disc going to be if you only have a few disc to throw? How will the renters disc get back to them specificly? Will there be "lanes" persay? I know the catch nets are going out there. But, with th varying speed of players an automated system will have many draw backs. Some will be waiting, unless it's multiple retrieval systems, one per lane. Like a bowling alley.

Then comes in the size of these lanes. How big is big enough to practice yur drives? Will others be confined to their own lane?

Lastly checking disc as rentals vs personal. Sure these disc can b marked with huge stamps showing rentals. But, unless there are individual retrieval systems for each person, and other people's disc can't come into your collector. I can see many issues coming up with people claiming they were ripped off, lost disc or the infamous stolen disc. "Someone stole super rare my 153 Dx Leopard!" Just some concerns I have that I think you should work out.

I just don't see people paying to go out and throw their disc in a field with 20-30 other people and risk losing their CE disc or something. Now I know better they shouldn't have those out there, but you know it will happen. Lots of people like to practice with their expensive plastic. If you throw it, practice with it. Lol.

Another thing, with a fast yet workable collection system, you'll have to ensure the disc aren't damaged.

[rwmurrow]

I like the idea, I also think it needs to be connected to a store or course or both like zam already said.

So what if a pile of 50 has diff. weights or plastics? Newbs wont care, experienced players can throw and compare the differences for themselves. Maybe customers should have the option to hand pick their bag of throwers.

I see this being more of a "try out a mold" type place and less of a "shot shaping practice" type of place. Which is why it needs a store (like in Austin). It could though, if you had a separate area for personal plastic throwing with the retrieval system. Just don't mess up my plastic retrieving it.

That being said, I'd be surprised if it takes off.
Good luck though!

[MDL1113]

Users will not be able to throw their own discs.. They will have the ability to rent discs they own to others who use the range. They will get a proceed for each time the disc is rented.

[MDL1113]

A separate area will be for personal plastic throwing with the delicate retrieval system. like said above

[MDL1113]

the range will have 25 - 10 foot T boxs

[rusch_bag]

What if you have 25 people wanting to throw 50 teebirds?

[Apothecary]

[zj1002]

Look, it is a novel idea but ZAM(leopard) pretty much said everything that needs to be said. I think everyone would love to see this type of business succeed. It only helps push the sport to the next level.

But a range needs to be attached to a store. As a guy that works in the store, I have a hard time imagining how this will be successful as just a driving range. The range would need to be in a disc golf mecca. It would need to offer more than just an open field. I find it hard to believe you would get repeat customers unless it was attached to a STRONG regional club(or mecca). I would imagine it being like a batting cage where guys take a date and wonder why it never goes past the first date. I know I would never use it and I spend hours in soccer fields.

you have a great mindset but dont expect anyone here to invest in your product. most of the daily forum posters here at DGR are heavily involved in running clubs/tourney, work in the industry, or are sponsored/open/ma1 players. Most of us are adept at calling out what we see as "crap"(not as in you, but that it would work). Take this to DGCR.com if you havent. it costs a lot to buy that many discs and you will NEVER fill up 25 teeboxes. DN offers a free 600+ft driving range that sees very little "field work" from local ams/pros. The range sells discs to newbies, pure and simple. I go out and throw discs while other people test because I know that when they see me throw far, they will ask what I threw and buy it.