Urban driving range and practice facility

I really like golf and I want to practice more but it?s a 30 minute round trip to the range even though I?m only 5.0 mi from the range. I've tried buying hitting nets for my yard but the ball quickly breaks through. So, I had the idea that I could rent some space and basically set up an indoor range. Not one of those domes or a simulator because those business are extremely costly. Just simply a matt and about 10 ft in front of the mat will be a net or impact screen. Upon the screen will be a projection of a fairway or a green to make it a little more fun. Because you cannot see the ball flight past the net/screen, I would charge a little over half of what a real driving range charges. I'm thinking about $3.00 for a 45 ball bucket versus $5 at a real range. 75 balls for $4.50. 110 for $6.50. I'd also have a 400 sqft or slightly larger putting green that would be free. There will also be a selection of swing aids available for free such as a chipping net, impact bag, etc. I think this would be useful for beginners since they cannot get the ball off the ground and therefore do not need to see where it goes. It would also be good for people like me that are good enough that they can feel when they hit it badly and want to work on ball striking and consistency. Obviously, at some point, you have to see what happens in the air but you don?t always need that.

I would open in retail area if the lease rate is low enough which will probably not happen. Most likely, I will find a warehouse or similar industrial building with tall ceilings.

Here is the coolest part; I think the business can operate without employees. Think coin op laundry places. Many of those do not have employees. They have security cameras. I would have to devise a way to regulate the usage of the facility and prevent theft of the swing aids which I think is definitely possible. If I do staff an employee, that will significantly increase my costs and I?ll have to raise my fees.

pros:

-You can improve your swing, ball striking and consistency
-It will be in urban areas where driving ranges don?t exist and will probably never exist because it takes too much land. I think the space requirement is only about 2,100 sqft.
-Many of these can be opened so there are more locations from which to choose. Also, more locations, more profits.
-Since the startup costs are much less than real driving range, the cost to play will be much less.
-Free swing aides and putting.
-Climate controlled environment.
-Could potentially be open 24 hours

cons:

-you don?t know if you slice or hook, fade or draw.
-you cannot determine distance.

Bsed upon my assumptions of lease rate and other costs, break even (60 ball) buckets sold per day is 27. At 20% utilization, I should sell 39 buckets per day.

What do you think? Will it work? Will golfers pay to hit balls into a net?