![How to plan and track the budget of your miniature golf course [template]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-budget-1_53b4e4ef-38f5-41f6-bf03-e3b5d5cc4f83.png?v=1715856504&width=1100)
If you don’t plan and track your miniature golf course budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for miniature golf course owners, we saw a lot of owners struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having substantial revenue.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your miniature golf course's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for golf courses
Most golf course owners don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for golf courses
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for a miniature golf course, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Lease for miniature golf course space | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for lighting and facilities | $600 | $7,200 |
| Water | Water usage for landscaping and restrooms | $300 | $3,600 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $100 | $1,200 |
| Waste Removal | Garbage and recycling services | $150 | $1,800 |
| Pest Control | Monthly pest control services | $75 | $900 |
| Insurance | Property and liability insurance | $400 | $4,800 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $42,000 |
| Assistant Manager | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | $30,000 |
| Course Attendants | 3 | $2,000 | $6,000 | $72,000 |
| Maintenance Staff | 2 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
3. Course Maintenance & Supplies
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Supplies | Golf balls, putters, scorecards, etc. | $500 | $6,000 |
| Landscaping | Plants, grass, and decorative elements | $300 | $3,600 |
| Cleaning Supplies | Detergents, sanitizers, etc. | $150 | $1,800 |
| Lighting Maintenance | Bulbs, fixtures, and electrical work | $200 | $2,400 |
| Course Repairs | Repairs to obstacles and course features | $300 | $3,600 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $300 | $3,600 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $400 | $4,800 |
| Print Advertising | Flyers, posters, newspaper ads | $200 | $2,400 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $100 | $1,200 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $150 | $1,800 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $250 | $3,000 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | Regular maintenance of course equipment | $300 | $3,600 |
| Uniforms | Staff uniforms and gear | $150 | $1,800 |
| Licenses & Permits | Business permits, health and safety licenses | $100 | $1,200 |
| POS System | Point of Sale software and hardware | $150 | $1,800 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $500 | $6,000 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, pens, printer ink, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $200 | $2,400 |
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We have studied the strategies of the best golf courses in the world. Replicate them now!
What are the biggest expenses for a miniature golf course?
Watch out for these pitfalls. Here are five major costs every miniature golf course owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to manage them effectively.
- Course Maintenance and UpkeepMaintaining the course can take a significant portion of your budget. Weather conditions, wear and tear, and seasonal changes can all impact the condition of your course. To keep these costs in check, schedule regular maintenance, use durable materials, and invest in weather-resistant features. Avoid overspending by prioritizing essential repairs and upgrades over cosmetic changes that don’t enhance the player experience.
- Staffing Your Miniature Golf CourseYour staff is crucial for providing a great experience, but wages, benefits, and training can be costly. This expense is always high because you need enough employees to manage the course, assist players, and maintain safety. Optimize labor costs by scheduling efficiently, cross-training staff, and monitoring productivity. However, be careful not to underpay or overwork your staff, as this can lead to high turnover and poor customer service.
- Rent and Utilities of Your FacilityPrime locations come with high rent, but they can attract more visitors. Utilities like electricity, water, and landscaping services are essential but can add up quickly. To optimize these costs, negotiate favorable lease terms and invest in energy-efficient lighting and irrigation systems. Overspending often happens when you choose a location that's too large or too elaborate for your needs.
- MarketingGetting the word out about your miniature golf course is essential, but advertising can be expensive, whether it's online ads, social media campaigns, or traditional media. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective methods like the ones we recommend in our guide. Overspending can occur if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Equipment and Course FeaturesThis includes everything from golf clubs and balls to themed obstacles and decorations. These are expensive because quality equipment and engaging features are crucial for a fun and memorable experience. Optimize by investing in durable, high-quality equipment and maintaining it regularly to avoid costly replacements. You can overspend by going for the latest high-tech gadgets or elaborate themes that don’t significantly enhance the player experience.
How to spend less with your miniature golf course?
Here are practical tips to help you, as a miniature golf course owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Course Maintenance | Partner with local landscapers for regular upkeep and seasonal plantings at competitive rates. |
| Labor Costs | Implement a scheduling software to optimize staff hours and reduce overtime. |
| Utilities | Install LED lighting and energy-efficient equipment for the course and clubhouse. |
| Marketing | Run social media contests for your miniature golf course and collaborate with local influencers for free exposure. |
| Cleaning Supplies | Train staff on efficient use of cleaning supplies to reduce waste. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Set up a maintenance log for regular checks and servicing of golf clubs, balls, and course features. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate lease terms during renewal or consider moving to a less expensive location. |
| Insurance | Regularly review insurance policies to ensure they meet current needs and compare rates annually. |
| Scorecards and Pencils | Use cost-effective, eco-friendly materials and offer digital scorekeeping options. |
| Course Props | Purchase high-quality, durable props that can withstand frequent use and weather conditions. |
| POS System | Choose a POS system that offers essential features with low transaction fees and integrates with other systems. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and use free online resources. |
| Waste Management | Implement a waste tracking system to minimize waste and recycle where possible. |
| Technology | Invest in multi-functional equipment and utilize management software for bookings and customer feedback. |
| Uniforms | Choose durable, easy-to-clean uniforms and offer staff a stipend for maintenance instead of using an external service. |
| Licensing and Permits | Stay up-to-date with local regulations to avoid fines and costly renewals. |
| Transportation | Plan delivery routes for supplies to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel costs. |
| Office Supplies | Purchase supplies in bulk and go paperless where possible with digital systems. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce spoilage. |
| Pest Control | Schedule monthly pest control services and maintain cleanliness standards to prevent infestations. |
| Music and Entertainment | Use a streaming service for background music and host local musicians during off-peak times. |
Copy the tactics of the best golf courses in the world!
There are golf courses that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Expenses that are just useless for a miniature golf course
Yes, some expenses for your miniature golf course are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to increasing revenue or enhancing the player experience.
| Miniature Golf Expense | Reason It's Useless |
|---|---|
| Overly Elaborate Course Themes | Extremely intricate themes can be costly to design and maintain without significantly attracting more players. |
| Premium Golf Clubs | Most players are satisfied with standard clubs, making high-end options an unnecessary expense. |
| Excessive Course Obstacles | Too many obstacles can clutter the course and increase maintenance costs without improving the game experience. |
| High-End Lighting | Top-of-the-line lighting systems are often not needed and can be very expensive to install and maintain. |
| Paper Advertising | Traditional paper ads often have a lower return on investment. Don’t include them in the marketing strategy of your miniature golf course. |
| Multiple Uniform Styles | Having various uniform styles increases costs without adding significant value to the player experience. |
| Excessive Staff | Overstaffing leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving service quality. |
| Premium Subscription Services | Expensive subscriptions for music or magazines often go unnoticed by players. |
| Exclusive Course Materials | Using rare materials can inflate costs and complicate maintenance. |
| Costly Furniture | High-end furniture in waiting areas is not always appreciated by players and can be a significant expense. |
| Custom Printed Scorecards | Personalized scorecards are a minor detail that most players overlook, and they can be expensive. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Premium Water Brands | Most players are content with filtered tap water, making expensive bottled water unnecessary. |
| Extra Maintenance Vehicles | Maintaining a larger fleet than needed increases operational costs. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Renovations | Constantly updating course features and layout can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Course Decorations | Elaborate decorations are often ignored by players and add to the cost. |
| High-End Course Equipment | Luxury course equipment is prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by players. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Scorecard Designs | Frequently redesigning scorecards is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense. Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Catering Equipment | Specialized catering equipment for events is often unnecessary and adds to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your miniature golf course!
Managing a budget for a miniature golf course when funds are tight can feel like a nightmare. It's like navigating a tricky course where any unexpected expense can throw you off par.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in improvements or new attractions, leaving you always chasing after expenses. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, scraping together pennies and barely making ends meet. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more breathing room and more money to invest in your course.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend money to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of miniature golf courses just like yours. Get them now!
Make your miniature golf course more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best golf courses in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
