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Looking for feedback on a new golf + hospitality concept I'm developing

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Rancho
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5:16p, 7/19/26
AG
I am working on bringing a hospitality concept here to New Braunfels. Think Butler pitch n putt meets paws n pints.

Ferguson Commons is a casual 9-hole short golf course built around the idea that golf has become too expensive, slow, serious, and intimidating. The goal is to make it fun and approachable again.

Beyond golf, the property would have June's (casual food + drinks), a large patio, putting green, membership off leash covered dog park, event lawn, and year around programming and events.

The idea is simple: a social gathering place that happens to have golf.

I'm currently evaluating a potential site in a Texas master-planned community and working through the financial model, development costs, and a potential ground lease.

For the business owners and investors here: What would you want to know before investing in a concept like thisand what do you see as the biggest potential risk?

Also will eventually be looking for some investors and such once the site is selected and lease is executed if anyone is interested.

Feel free to DM me
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Thisguy1
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8:04p, 7/19/26
It feels like you're trying to have a golf course with the golf course not being the main event. That would concern me given the cost it takes to maintain one, even if it's just 9 holes.

I've thought about something similar but have never been able to make the money work.
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Ragoo
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11:10p, 7/19/26
AG
What part of town? There used to be a Par 3 course on common street - well executive course, but it closed down many many years ago.

I would look at the par 3 course at the pga in Frisco. Lights for night play with speakers playing country/Texas music. Bar in the middle to refill drinks.

There also used to be a go-kart, mini golf, batting cage place on the loop south near McCoys. Where the public storage is now. Looks like there is a golf academy back there now.

All that to say - these concepts have struggled in NB in the past.
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Enrico Pallazzo
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11:22p, 7/19/26
I would suggest copying a different concept at PGA Frisco or the Bandon Dunes Punchbowl - make a gigantic practice green with a restaurant and bar incorporated. Giant jumbotron near it. Need far less real estate, less maintenance, still fun vibe. The issue with a 9 hole short course is you can still only get a fairly limited number of people on it without play really bogging down. There's a novelty to these 9 hole short courses but I just don't think they get a lot of repeat business.
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Rancho
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In reply to Thisguy1 • 7:03a, 7/20/26
AG
Thisguy1 said:
It feels like you're trying to have a golf course with the golf course not being the main event. That would concern me given the cost it takes to maintain one, even if it's just 9 holes.

I've thought about something similar but have never been able to make the money work.


The idea is to have multiple revenue streams and not make golf the sole factor - even with all the rain we had last week, there are still opportunities to come regardless if they can play golf.

Agreed on maintenance and understand that turf is more upfront costs, but that would help save on fertilizer, mowing, irrigation, etc.

Tee boxes and greens are turf. Everything else is natural and preserve the native grasses
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Rancho
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In reply to Ragoo • 7:05a, 7/20/26
AG
Ragoo said:
What part of town? There used to be a Par 3 course on common street - well executive course, but it closed down many many years ago.

I would look at the par 3 course at the pga in Frisco. Lights for night play with speakers playing country/Texas music. Bar in the middle to refill drinks.

There also used to be a go-kart, mini golf, batting cage place on the loop south near McCoys. Where the public storage is now. Looks like there is a golf academy back there now.

All that to say - these concepts have struggled in NB in the past.


It would be on 35 behind the new Costco

I think there's a demand for something like this especially in a master community - people want entertainment they can walk/ride golf carts to without ever having to leave their neighborhood.
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Rancho
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In reply to Enrico Pallazzo • 7:06a, 7/20/26
AG
Enrico Pallazzo said:
I would suggest copying a different concept at PGA Frisco or the Bandon Dunes Punchbowl - make a gigantic practice green with a restaurant and bar incorporated. Giant jumbotron near it. Need far less real estate, less maintenance, still fun vibe. The issue with a 9 hole short course is you can still only get a fairly limited number of people on it without play really bogging down. There's a novelty to these 9 hole short courses but I just don't think they get a lot of repeat business.


Yeah I've been researching a lot of par 3 courses but the concept is a tad different. I don't have the capital to make tiger woods par 3 haha. This is definitely something more laid back / no country club atmosphere
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Rancho
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7:12a, 7/20/26
AG


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Ragoo
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7:16a, 7/20/26
AG
I think the concept would work better within proximity to where vacationers want to be. I think you want to gobble up as many out of town dollars as you can while school is out and then be a place locals can go when school is in session. Also, what happens Dec-Feb?
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trip98
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9:01a, 7/20/26
AG
as a golfer....a person who loves to get together with friends over food and drink....and with 3 dogs at home....I have 2 questions:

1) how are you going to keep all the dog poop and pee off the course areas? Yes, I see you call it a covered dog park....but once those folks are done having fido and feefee run around a bit, are they going to stick around? you're going to want them too. And I doubt all their friends will want to hang out in the dog park all evening. That likely means dogs around the property. Which inevitably means you'll get poop and pee everywhere. That's going to turn people off just around the food/drink areas. As a golfer I don't want to hit and putt my ball and have it end up in poop.

2) you better have a ton of misters or enough indoor seating.....or you can kiss revenue good bye June - August...at least
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ATM9000
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9:04a, 7/20/26
AG
I don't understand the dog park aspect of this. Am I leaving my dog unsupervised with it while I putt and play a par 3 and listen to live music?

This sounds fun but more all over the place than you think it. The staffing alone smells fairly difficult to pull off and maintain sustainably.

Post above mine lays out exactly why I find this concept confusing and all over the place. On top of all of that… I don't think a lot of people want to take their dog out to a par 3 outing. It's a hassle.
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Cowboy Curtis
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9:08a, 7/20/26
AG
Instead of dog park, covered playscape for kids.
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Rancho
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In reply to trip98 • 9:10a, 7/20/26
AG
trip98 said:
as a golfer....a person who loves to get together with friends over food and drink....and with 3 dogs at home....I have 2 questions:

1) how are you going to keep all the dog poop and pee off the course areas? Yes, I see you call it a covered dog park....but once those folks are done having fido and feefee run around a bit, are they going to stick around? you're going to want them too. And I doubt all their friends will want to hang out in the dog park all evening. That likely means dogs around the property. Which inevitably means you'll get poop and pee everywhere. That's going to turn people off just around the food/drink areas. As a golfer I don't want to hit and putt my ball and have it end up in poop.

2) you better have a ton of misters or enough indoor seating.....or you can kiss revenue good bye June - August...at least


1. Just like any normal bar, park, etc. you pick up after your dog.

2. Yes there will be plenty of shade spots, indoor seating, etc.
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Ragoo
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9:13a, 7/20/26
AG
You would probably do better copying Matt Swanson. Started as a driving range with clubhouse w/ bar and turned into bar and grill with some golf offerings - among other things.

https://swannysgrill.com/#
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Rancho
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In reply to ATM9000 • 9:13a, 7/20/26
AG
ATM9000 said:
I don't understand the dog park aspect of this. Am I leaving my dog unsupervised with it while I putt and play a par 3 and listen to live music?

This sounds fun but more all over the place than you think it. The staffing alone smells fairly difficult to pull off and maintain sustainably.


The dog park is connected to the clubhouse and will be completely covered with garage door access to a fenced in place. There is not a single off leash/fenced in park like this in the area for me to go and let my dog get energy out safely and effectively.

You'll be able to sit, have a beer, watch a game all while your dog plays with other dogs

The rest of the property is dog friendly, but is on leash.

No you wouldn't leave your dog unsupervised while you play golf
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ATM9000
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In reply to Rancho • 9:16a, 7/20/26
AG
Rancho said:
ATM9000 said:
I don't understand the dog park aspect of this. Am I leaving my dog unsupervised with it while I putt and play a par 3 and listen to live music?

This sounds fun but more all over the place than you think it. The staffing alone smells fairly difficult to pull off and maintain sustainably.


The dog park is connected to the clubhouse and will be completely covered with garage door access to a fenced in place. There is not a single off leash/fenced in park like this in the area for me to go and let my dog get energy out safely and effectively.

You'll be able to sit, have a beer, watch a game all while your dog plays with other dogs

The rest of the property is dog friendly, but is on leash.

No you wouldn't leave your dog unsupervised while you play golf


Then isn't your money making concept a bar with a dog park? If there's not a dog park in the area, that's your feature. And then the no doubt expensive golf concept is completely unnecessary.
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Ragoo
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9:16a, 7/20/26
AG
The dog part is not necessary. At all.
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Rancho
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In reply to Ragoo • 9:30a, 7/20/26
AG
Ragoo said:
The dog part is not necessary. At all.


The space is flexible so if we see that the dog park isn't in demand, it's a simple switch to just have covered seating and event space
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one safe place
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10:09a, 7/20/26
I wouldn't do the dog park. It seems as if you are wanting to do a lot of things at one place. I have no idea which ones would generate the most profit, but the more things you try to do, the more people you have to employ.

I would never have anything to do with serving food. I base that on having had many tax clients that tried it. Only two made it, both Mexican food places that had almost all their staff being immediate family and extended family. Also, I saw many other food places who were not clients fail. Additionally, food inventory will spoil, unlike most other inventory. And when cooks don't show, or quit, someone is going to have to step up. Generally food places don't pay a lot so don't have the most dependable people working for them.

Two things are going to be hurdles that every business has to overcome. One is employees and the other is insurance. I'd try to keep that in mind as I chose what areas to focus on.

Hopefully you have run a business in the past. That will help.

Good luck on your venture.





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Heineken-Ashi
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10:17a, 7/20/26
Your best bet is to focus on a fun, clean environment for families to come. Put in a badass covered playground in close proximity to a covered sitting area near the bar/food and you will win.

The golf course will be a money pit. You will quickly regret it. If you really want to do a golf thing, then just do a driving range with really fun an interesting targets. Make it covered. Top Golf lite.

If my kids can go play while the wives can get drinks and watch them and the dads can hit some balls while drinking, you have my attention.

I would never come just for 9 hole gimmick golf. I would never come just for a dog park.
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Diggity
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In reply to one safe place • 10:40a, 7/20/26
AG
rotating food trucks would solve this headache. not a perfect solution, but better than getting in the restaurant biz.
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Rancho
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In reply to Diggity • 10:44a, 7/20/26
AG
Diggity said:
rotating food trucks would solve this headache. not a perfect solution, but better than getting in the restaurant biz.


We were going to keep the food extremely simple - hand held foods such as hot dogs, corn dogs, frito pie, nachos

Things are easy to make. Quick. Still tasty

We were going to do food trucks as part of special nights/weekends
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Diggity
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In reply to Rancho • 10:56a, 7/20/26
AG
Would guess you would still need food handling permits for that setup, which is it's own headache. That would cut down on inventory for sure.

I'm just thinking about a similar concept (which I'm sure you've researched) in Houston called "East River 9". They already had to throw out the restaurant management group, presumably because they weren't cutting it. Just seems like a big headache, but this was a larger operation for sure.

Kirby Ice House has done very well by outsourcing the food aspect (and allowing customers to have whatever they like delivered in).
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Rancho
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In reply to Diggity • 10:58a, 7/20/26
AG
Diggity said:
Would guess you would still need food handling permits for that setup, which is it's own headache. That would cut down on inventory for sure.

I'm just thinking about a similar concept (which I'm sure you've researched) in Houston called "East River 9". They already had to throw out the restaurant management group, presumably because they weren't cutting it. Just seems like a big headache, but this was a larger operation for sure.

Kirby Ice House has done very well by outsourcing the food aspect (and allowing customers to have whatever they like delivered in).


Definitely - I've been looking at east River 9. Menu looks much larger and an egg and cheese breakfast taco at $15 haha

Now the ability to have food delivered in is interesting, i hadn't thought about that.
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chris1515
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10:59a, 7/20/26
AG
The dog park and golf combo doesn't seem like a natural pairing imo. Either one could work, but I don't know that I see the synergy between both. I like the idea someone mentioned of a big covered playground and family friendly vibe.

As an investor, I'd be concerned about the big up front spend for the golf course, and what happens to that if it does not work.

The overall idea sounds very fun, so I can see how it would make a very cool idea to pitch to people.
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Rancho
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11:02a, 7/20/26
AG
For those have said a playground - what kind would yall suggest? Like a jungle gym? Slides? Swings?
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halfastros81
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11:11a, 7/20/26
AG
How many houses in the master planned community and what are their other options inside the hood?

Golf courses and restaurants (even simple snack bar types) both seem to be pretty tough businesses to get to positive cash flow . The Dog park piece … don't see how that helps with cash flow… can you explain that part?
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ATM9000
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In reply to Rancho • 11:14a, 7/20/26
AG
Rancho said:
Ragoo said:
What part of town? There used to be a Par 3 course on common street - well executive course, but it closed down many many years ago.

I would look at the par 3 course at the pga in Frisco. Lights for night play with speakers playing country/Texas music. Bar in the middle to refill drinks.

There also used to be a go-kart, mini golf, batting cage place on the loop south near McCoys. Where the public storage is now. Looks like there is a golf academy back there now.

All that to say - these concepts have struggled in NB in the past.


It would be on 35 behind the new Costco

I think there's a demand for something like this especially in a master community - people want entertainment they can walk/ride golf carts to without ever having to leave their neighborhood.


Isn't there a Top Golf super close to there already?
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Rancho
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11:15a, 7/20/26
AG
Yes in creekside but comparing this to top golf would be comparing apples to oranges
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ATM9000
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In reply to Rancho • 11:33a, 7/20/26
AG
Rancho said:
Yes in creekside but comparing this to top golf would be comparing apples to oranges


I understand they are slightly different but you simply can't look at them as apples and oranges considering the same people would go to both. Top Golf would be really direct competition to your concept.

Top Golf already offers drinks and food and I'd argue is more family friendly than yours considering their games by default have to be slightly more accessible than a pitch and putt. And they can offer so much more access to their key feature at once than a pitch and putt can.

I'm not trying to be too negative on your concept but you asked for feedback
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Rancho
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In reply to ATM9000 • 11:38a, 7/20/26
AG
ATM9000 said:
Rancho said:
Yes in creekside but comparing this to top golf would be comparing apples to oranges


I understand they are slightly different but you simply can't look at them as apples and oranges considering the same people would go to both. Top Golf would be really direct competition to your concept.

Top Golf already offers drinks and food and I'd argue is more family friendly than yours considering their games by default have to be slightly more accessible than a pitch and putt. And they can offer so much more access to their key feature at once than a pitch and putt can.

I'm not trying to be too negative on your concept but you asked for feedback



No definitely - this is what i want (the honest feedback)

Took the family to top golf for Father's Day - 2 bays for 2 hours, 1 little platter of food, and a few drinks $500.

The family friendly atmosphere is something i need to work through, but providing something way more financially accessible for a family to go and enjoy and not having to spend a ton of money
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ATM9000
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In reply to Rancho • 11:55a, 7/20/26
AG
Rancho said:
ATM9000 said:
Rancho said:
Yes in creekside but comparing this to top golf would be comparing apples to oranges


I understand they are slightly different but you simply can't look at them as apples and oranges considering the same people would go to both. Top Golf would be really direct competition to your concept.

Top Golf already offers drinks and food and I'd argue is more family friendly than yours considering their games by default have to be slightly more accessible than a pitch and putt. And they can offer so much more access to their key feature at once than a pitch and putt can.

I'm not trying to be too negative on your concept but you asked for feedback



No definitely - this is what i want (the honest feedback)

Took the family to top golf for Father's Day - 2 bays for 2 hours, 1 little platter of food, and a few drinks $500.

The family friendly atmosphere is something i need to work through, but providing something way more financially accessible for a family to go and enjoy and not having to spend a ton of money


You should do a margin analysis of your idea. $500 sounds a lot but for 2 bays for 2 hours (implying you were entertaining 8 people)… doesn't seem crazy to me.

My wife and I went to East River 9 with her brother and spouse not long ago. 4 tee times, 4 dinners and maybe 6 drinks amongst the 4 of us… our side of the bill was a little over $200.

Just saying… you are probably going to charge more to make it work than you think you will.
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Heineken-Ashi
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In reply to Rancho • 12:49p, 7/20/26
Rancho said:
For those have said a playground - what kind would yall suggest? Like a jungle gym? Slides? Swings?

We have a restaurant next to our house with very mediocre food. You know what has them crawling with people every single night?

A great playground. The playsets are varied. They have a large one, a medium one (think your average suburb park), and a small one (looks like a backyard playset). They brought in fake turf/rubber/whatever the hell that stuff us so kids can play when it would usually be muddy. Have space for kids to kick a soccer ball, throw the football, run around and get energy out. That's what parents want. They want to bring their kids somewhere closed in where they can let the kids kid energy out while they have drinks and bites with friends and neighbors.

Make it BIG. Your goal should be to become the nightly go-to place for families. You want volume. A large playground with lots of seating for parents. Kids eat free on "pick a day". Parents will eat too and that day will be a money maker.

Have a great beer selection and a small menu of easy to make cocktails, frozen margs, whatever. You want drinks men will want and you absolutely want drinks women will want.

Have a good sized kids menu.

Overall for the food, burgers, sandwiches, simple stuff where you can focus on a controlled amount of easy to make things. Have a damned good burger and a couple wife approved salads. Have some wings, giant pretzel, chips and queso, etc.

One thing I would not do is live music. I don't know who wants that these days. It's loud, often not good, and more annoyance than entertaining.

A set-aside hosting space for people to have birthday parties, graduation parties, church get togethers, you name it would also be a nice thing to add.
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Rancho
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In reply to Heineken-Ashi • 12:51p, 7/20/26
AG
Thank you
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Heineken-Ashi
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In reply to Rancho • 12:53p, 7/20/26
Rancho said:
Thank you

And I wouldn't sleep on keeping a driving range. A place to bring my kids that's covered, where we can hit balls, they can play afterward, we can eat. I would be there weekly.
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