Pay to Play Courses seem to be the wave of the future... properties dedicated to disc golf with incentives for the course owners to make a positive experience for the paying customers. I'd like to get input on successful pay to play courses, and what attributes make those courses work financially.
I'll start with two great courses up here in New England that seem to be doing well: Maple Hill in Leicester, Massachusetts, and the Sabattus complex in Sabattus, Maine.
Both share some characteristics:
-Multiple courses to handle all levels of play. I'm pretty convinced that a course option easy enough for casual players is a MUST for pay to play to gain viable 'drop in' paying customers, and a challenging option is required to keep the course interesting enough for regulars to buy annual memberships.
-On site staff to "watch out" for the course, insure a positive and safe customer experience. Baskets and tee boxes are always maintained, fairs mowed and rough trimmed. Both have well stocked pro shops with knowledgeable and friendly staff. I've seen a criticism of Maple Hill on this forum, but that's definitely not ever been my experience and I've played the course over 20 times.
-Buzz. The parking lots are always busy, packed on nice weekends and not empty even on rainy weekdays. Lots of tournaments, leagues, and events to pull in people. Signature events are nice too but I don't think they are a key to success attracting "paying" crowds for the rest of the year. Success seems to be a self-perpetuating cycle.
I'd like to hear about other courses around the country (world!) that are economically viable as pay to play, and what characteristics you think contribute to their success.
I'll start with two great courses up here in New England that seem to be doing well: Maple Hill in Leicester, Massachusetts, and the Sabattus complex in Sabattus, Maine.
Both share some characteristics:
-Multiple courses to handle all levels of play. I'm pretty convinced that a course option easy enough for casual players is a MUST for pay to play to gain viable 'drop in' paying customers, and a challenging option is required to keep the course interesting enough for regulars to buy annual memberships.
-On site staff to "watch out" for the course, insure a positive and safe customer experience. Baskets and tee boxes are always maintained, fairs mowed and rough trimmed. Both have well stocked pro shops with knowledgeable and friendly staff. I've seen a criticism of Maple Hill on this forum, but that's definitely not ever been my experience and I've played the course over 20 times.
-Buzz. The parking lots are always busy, packed on nice weekends and not empty even on rainy weekdays. Lots of tournaments, leagues, and events to pull in people. Signature events are nice too but I don't think they are a key to success attracting "paying" crowds for the rest of the year. Success seems to be a self-perpetuating cycle.
I'd like to hear about other courses around the country (world!) that are economically viable as pay to play, and what characteristics you think contribute to their success.
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