Mastering the Greens: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Open a Mini Golf Business

So, you’ve decided to take a swing at opening a mini golf business? Congratulations! It’s a big decision, but you can turn your idea into a thriving business with the right help (e.g., this guide). It’s a great time to enter the world of mini golf business startups. The market size of the miniature golf course industry in the US was $450.9m in 2023, and it’s projected to rise at an annualized 1.9% to $484.0 million by 2029.

We’re here to help you make your efforts a hole-in-one with our comprehensive guide to mini golf business startups.  

Why start a mini golf business?

Mini golf has always been a crowd-pleaser, but it’s having a resurgence as operators rethink the experience. Indoor blacklight courses, Instagram-friendly themes, and bundled experiences with arcades or bars are drawing in a broader demographic than just families with kids. That flexibility is part of the appeal for entrepreneurs.

Compared with other attraction types, mini golf offers a relatively affordable entry point. Once your course is built, ongoing costs are low, staffing requirements are modest, equipment needs are minimal, and upkeep is relatively straightforward. That translates into healthy profit margins, particularly when paired with food, drinks, parties, and merchandise.

Takeaway: A mini golf business balances broad appeal with manageable overhead, making it one of the most accessible and profitable leisure businesses to start.

Market research and feasibility 

Every successful mini golf business begins with market validation. You’ll need to understand not only who your customers are, but also whether the local environment can sustain your business. Here’s what you should include in your research: 

• Market analysis: Research the demand for mini golf in the target area, analyze the demographic profile of potential customers, and assess the competition and any other attractions competing for the same audience. 
• Financial projections: Estimate the startup costs, including land acquisition, construction, equipment, permits, and initial operating expenses. You should also forecast revenue and operational costs – such as anticipated sales, staff costs, maintenance, and utilities. 
• Legal and regulatory compliance: Look into the permits, licenses, and approvals required to operate a mini golf venue in your target area. Review local ordinances, building codes, health and safety regulations, and their costs. 
• Risk assessment: Better safe than sorry, identify and evaluate any potential risks and challenges that may impact the success of your mini golf business startup, such as seasonality, weather-related risks, and economic factors.

Takeaway: Research helps you design a mini golf business that fills a gap in your local entertainment market, rather than competing head-to-head with established players.

Build a solid business plan

Once you’ve confirmed demand, the next step is putting it all on paper. A strong business plan isn’t just a document for banks and investors; it’s your playbook. It should outline your mission, financial model, operational plan, and growth strategy.

Be specific. Define your startup costs: land, construction, design, equipment, and marketing. Estimate your revenue mix: daily admissions, birthday parties, food and beverage, and corporate events. Don’t forget to plan for seasonality if you’re building an outdoor course.

Your business plan should also cover operations. How many staff will you need per shift? What technology will support online bookings and payments? How will you handle waivers, customer communication, and reporting? The more detail you provide, the easier it becomes to stay on course once you open.

Takeaway: A business plan forces you to answer tough questions early, reducing surprises later when money and time are on the line.

Brand building and conceptualization

Once you’ve determined that opening a mini golf business is viable and have your business plan sorted, it’s time to create a unique brand and concept. Think about the theme, layout, and any unique features that will set your mini golf course apart from the competition.

Will you be based indoors or outdoors? Will you encourage memberships and host competitions? How about the food, drinks, and merchandise that you’ll sell? It’s time to put pen to paper and jot down all these ideas. 

As for the brand you are building, an excellent place to start is your mission statement, where you’ll summarize the concept and vision for your mini golf business. Logos and naming are the next hurdles, and they can take time. Don’t rush this process; ask for help from friends in marketing or advertising to get the creative juices flowing. 

Takeaway: A clear brand and a unique concept set your mini golf business apart, making it memorable for guests.

Financing your mini golf dream

Funding is often one of the biggest challenges for aspiring entrepreneurs, so ensuring that the concept and business plan behind your mini golf business is watertight will help. 

Options for financing your mini golf venture include seeking investors who share your passion for mini golf, securing a loan from a financial institution, and crowdsourcing funds. 

To make your venue attractive for financiers, create a detailed budget outlining your expected construction, equipment, staffing, and operating expenses. And remember to factor in contingency funds for unexpected expenses that may arise – this is typically around six months of your operating costs. 

Takeaway: A watertight financial plan with contingency funding makes your business more attractive to lenders and investors.

Choosing the right location

The success of your mini golf venue will largely depend on its location, so choose wisely. Look for an area with high foot traffic, easy accessibility, and synergy with surrounding attractions. Consider factors such as:

• Parking availability.
• Visibility from major roads.
• Proximity to other entertainment venues or tourist destinations.
• Noise and views (if you’re planning an outdoor venue). 

Take the time to visit potential locations in person and envision how your mini golf course will fit into the space. Leasing is a valid option if purchasing a space is out of your budget. This is especially true if you envision an indoor space to fit out a warehouse to house your mini golf business startup. 

Takeaway: Location is everything: high visibility, accessibility, and nearby attractions can make or break your mini golf business’s success.

How much land do you need for a mini golf course? 

For outdoor courses, plan for 0.5 to 1 acre to accommodate 18 holes, landscaping, walkways, queuing, a small kiosk, and basic amenities. Add space for 30 to 50 parking bays, depending on your local code and peak load. Maintain clear walkways and consider stroller access and ADA turning circles at each hole.

For indoor courses, you can fit 18 holes in 5,000 to 10,000 square feet, depending on hole length and scenic elements. You will also need space for reception and POS, storage, restrooms, a party room, and, if applicable, a compact kitchen or servery.

Takeaway: Outdoors needs half to one acre. Indoors can work in 5,000 to 10,000 square feet if you plan for circulation, storage, and party space.

Indoor vs outdoor mini golf: which model fits your market?

Choosing to open an indoor or outdoor mini golf business changes your budget, seasonality, and guest mix. Indoor venues deliver year-round trading and weather protection, which lifts utilization on weekdays and during winter. You will spend more upfront on theming, lighting, HVAC, and a fit-out, but you gain predictable revenue and more control over the guest experience. Outdoor venues are cheaper to build and can feel more spacious, which is great for families and tourists in warmer months. You will need to plan for seasonality with targeted promotions and events during shoulder periods.

When comparing models, list your climate, local leisure calendar, population density, and nearby anchors like cinemas, shopping centers, and tourist precincts. If you are in a four-season climate, consider an indoor core with a small outdoor patio or secondary activity to extend dwell time without taking on a full second attraction.

Takeaway: Pick the model that matches climate and demand. Indoor boosts year-round revenue. Outdoor lowers upfront spend but requires stronger seasonal planning.

Designing the mini golf course

Designing your courses is arguably the most exciting aspect of opening a mini golf venue. Designing engaging and visually appealing courses is essential for attracting and retaining customers. 

Consider creating a theme for your venue, incorporating a mix of killer visuals and storytelling. You want your course to be Instagrammable and have word-of-mouth appeal. Think of themes that appeal to your target demographic and incorporate unique features that set your course apart.

To keep things exciting on the green, include a mix of challenging holes that cater to players of all skill levels, paying attention to landscaping and set pieces to create an immersive experience for your guests.

Takeaway: Themed, Instagram-worthy design creates buzz and keeps guests coming back for more.

Construction and equipment

Quality craftsmanship is vital when it’s time to bring your mini golf venue to life. Not only will investing in beautiful fixtures and fittings from the start make your mini golf venue look the part, but it will also help you reduce maintenance costs in the long run. Hire experienced contractors with some experience with attractions and monitor the progress closely to ensure your vision is realized.

Investing in high-quality equipment and supplies is also crucial for providing a top-notch mini golf experience for your guests. This includes putting surfaces, clubs, balls, scorecards, and other accessories. 

Research local suppliers to find the best deals on durable and reliable equipment that will withstand the wear and tear of regular use. And to create a more cohesive experience, find ways to incorporate your branding on equipment where possible. 

Takeaway: Investing in quality construction and durable equipment reduces maintenance costs and elevates guest experience.

Staffing and training

Your staff will play a vital role in the success of your mini golf venue, so take the time to hire and train knowledgeable and friendly employees. 

When interviewing staff, look for individuals passionate about mini golf and who gel with the brand and atmosphere you’re looking to create. Provide thorough training on course rules and procedures, customer interactions, and safety protocols to ensure your staff can handle any situation. 

To make onboarding extra smooth, consider partnering with a technology provider that specializes in your industry and provides a POS that’s easy to learn. 

Takeaway: Friendly, well-trained staff enhance guest satisfaction and build loyalty from day one.

Marketing and promotion

Once your mini golf venue is ready to open, it’s time to spread the word and attract visitors. Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that includes online and offline tactics to reach your target audience.

You can utilize social media platforms, email marketing, and digital advertising to generate buzz and drive traffic to your website. 

Another good way to spread the word about your mini golf venue is to partner with local businesses and community organizations to cross-promote your course and offer special promotions or discounts to incentivize attendance.

Takeaway: A strong marketing mix of digital, local, and community partnerships will keep your mini golf business top of mind.

Read this next: Unlocking the Power of Analytics: How to Leverage Data for Marketing

Parties, groups, and corporate events

Events are the fastest path to higher spend per visit. Define clear packages for birthdays, schools, sports teams, and corporate teams. Include a fixed play window, reserved space for food and cake, a host, and timed add-ons like arcade credits or photo moments. Set simple per-person pricing with a minimum headcount and capture a deposit at booking.

Corporate groups care about convenience and outcomes. Offer flexible time slots on weekdays, quick invoice options, and optional catering. Promote these packages on your website with obvious calls to action and an online booking flow that does not require a phone call.

Takeaway: Well-structured packages with deposits and online booking turn events into a reliable, high-margin revenue stream.

Grand opening 

When the big day arrives, create a sense of spectacle by planning a grand opening event for your mini golf venue to generate excitement in the community. 

To draw a crowd, consider offering special promotions, giveaways, and entertainment to create a festive atmosphere. You could even go all out and invite local media outlets and influencers to cover the event and spread the word to a wider audience. 

Your grand opening is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your mini golf course and encourage guests to return for future visits. Consider offering memberships to make the most of return visits and increase revenue.

Takeaway: A buzz-worthy launch builds excitement and encourages repeat visits in the critical early months.

Operations and management

Once your mini golf venue is up and running, focusing on day-to-day operations and management is important. Develop efficient scheduling procedures to ensure adequate staffing levels during peak times and minimize downtime. 

You should implement a regular maintenance schedule to keep your course in top condition and address any issues promptly. Guest experience can make or break a venue, so be sure to provide ongoing training and support for your staff to maintain high customer service and safety standards.

To further streamline your operations, you should enable online ticketing and self-service features such as digital waivers, online accounts, and mobile food and beverage ordering. 

Takeaway: Efficient processes and smart use of technology free you to focus on guest experience and business growth.

Read this next: Save Time with ROLLER’s Must-Have Self-Service Guest Experiences

Enhancing profitability

Try to step back from the day-to-day of your mini golf operations and look for big-picture strategies to grow your business. Ways to enhance the profits at your venue include: 

• Offering party packages to appeal to families.
• Reduce labor costs using tech like ROLLER to assist with bookings, admin, and conversions.
• Offer premium packages, memberships, and season passes.
• Look into merchandising and partnering with other businesses for cross-promotions (e.g., partner with a craft brewery to offer a mini golf-themed brew that you both stock).

Takeaway: Boost profits with upsells like parties, memberships, and smart partnerships that expand revenue streams.

Adapting to industry trends and innovations

Stay ahead of the curve by keeping abreast of industry trends and innovations in mini golf. Monitor competitor activity and consumer preferences to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation. Be open to feedback from your guests and be willing to adapt and evolve your venue to meet their changing needs and expectations. 

One of the best ways to do this is by embracing new technologies, like mini golf software, and trends, such as offering the convenience of self-service options, incorporating virtual or augmented reality, and having an omnichannel presence. By constantly innovating, you’ll keep your mini golf course relevant and appealing to a diverse audience.

Takeaway: Staying innovative and embracing new tech keeps your mini golf business relevant and appealing to guests.

Let’s swing big 

Opening a mini golf venue is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor that offers endless opportunities for creativity, innovation, and fun. But the good news is that you can turn your mini golf dream into a successful reality with careful planning, hard work, and dedication. 

So what are you waiting for? Tee off on your mini golf adventure today, and be sure to contact our team to find out how we help mini golf venues like yours thrive.