Have a waterfront resort? You need waterfront golf
There’s nothing worse than hitting your golf ball in the water. Unless you did it on purpose. Then, there’s nothing better.
We’re Splash City Golf, and our mission is to spread the joy of waterfront golf.
Imagine this: you’re standing at water's edge, the sun slowly setting over the most beautiful landscape you’ve ever seen. The drink in your hand is cold but the sand between your toes is warm. You’re relaxed, yet you’ve got an uncontrollable urge to grip that golf club lying at your feet, tee up the golf ball next to it, and send it.
This is a moment world-class waterfront resorts are delivering to their guests every single day.
Splash City brings the driving range concept to your waterfront resort
What is waterfront golf? Simply put, it’s hitting golf balls into the water – on purpose. To bring this vision to life, Splash City Golf equipment helps waterfront resorts transform their shoreline into a pop-up driving range, complete with platforms, hitting mats, a mobile target, and biodegradable golf balls.
We exclusively use the Zero® Biodegradable Golf Ball – a 100% biodegradable, non-toxic single use golf ball designed specifically to hit into the water. It disintegrates within two weeks, leaving no trace and no guilt. The ideal setup includes a sophisticated battery-powered GolfShotBot, a floating target for players to aim at.
Our purpose is to show people how much fun it is to hit biodegradable golf balls in the water. But it’s not just fun – it’s addictive. We’ve seen it over and over: one swing leads to many more, and the smiles on the guests’ faces provide instant feedback.
The fun factor makes waterfront golf a tempting addition to your resort. Still, you’re wondering: Does this make business sense? Keep reading – we think we can talk you into it.
Build it and they will come: Why waterfront golf makes sense for resorts like yours
Once activated, there are many ways to monetize your waterfront driving range. We’ve done more than 350 events across the country, proving each time the concept’s viability, measured in revenue and smiles. Here are a few ways waterfront golf can be a hit at your resort.
The event
With waterfront golf as a key feature, your resort is a more attractive destination for corporate events or weddings. Picture coworkers bonding over friendly competition. Imagine a bride and groom trading shots over the horizon at cocktail hour. Magical moments like these can define an event by providing memories that stick.
The proof: Mackey House, a premier lakeside estate in Savannah, GA, held a corporate celebration for a major client: The Hyundai Motor Group. The event featured a pondside pop-up hitting bay for guests to visit for a few swings. Guests were thrilled and Mackey House continues to feature the range at events.
The sponsorship.
Brands are always looking for ways to connect with potential customers. Your waterfront driving range is a perfectly strategic place to display brand names so they can meet their target demographic at their happiest.
The proof: Corona Premier put their name front and center over four activations at District Wharf in Washington, D.C. Passersby could step onto the branded driving range and take aim at our floating target for a shot to win prizes courtesy of Corona. After a few laughs and swings, guests left with a strong emotional connection to Corona Premier.
The everyday setup.
The stronger your on-site amenities, the longer your guests stick around and the more they spend at the bar, nearby restaurants, and your shops. For everyday guests, the waterfront golf attraction has the chance to be their low-key favorite part of their stay – we’ve seen it.
The proof: Three Waters Resort & Marina in Islamorada, FL has set up a permanent oceanfront driving range guests can book right alongside kayak rentals and sandbar tours. When guests visit this tranquil island escape, waterfront golf is part of the fun.
Bonus: Word of mouth.
Since waterfront golf creates such shareable moments, it can help promote your resort organically. A guest flushes their first shot into the bay. Their buddy caught it on video. They instantly hit publish. Their network needs to know who, what, where, when, and why – and pronto. When the answer comes back bearing the name of your resort, that’s a free impression. It’s a clue about where to have some serious fun. It’s an invitation.
Your bottom line: Can waterfront golf drive revenue?
Splash City waterfront golf is a proven revenue driver. Luxury resorts like Cliff House, Necker Island Resort, and Chesapeake Bay Beach Club have added waterfront golf to their mix. Luxury waterfront resorts keep signing on with Splash City Golf – not just because it looks damn fun, but because the math makes sense.
Based on a decade of operating full-service waterfront golf activations, we project the following for our resorts:
-$17,000 initial investment
-10 events to break even
-$7 per ball in revenue
-60% profit margin
-$34,000 net cash flow after 30 events
While there is a monetary investment, one of the beauties of our offering is that there is no infrastructure investment required. Our activation requires no permanent construction – instead it acts more like a pop-up that can be flipped on like a lightswitch and mobilized to earn revenue on command.
How did Splash City get here?
In the beginning there were a lot of bungee cords, zip ties, and improvisation. We were making it up as we went. But the looks on people’s faces told us that we had something special.
Swings between sips of martinis. Sandy feet and wide smiles. Dudes in suits. Ladies in heels. Good swings and bad swings. Time and time again, folks showed us that waterfront golf isn’t just fun. It’s addictive.
We’ve worked with newlyweds and massive corporate partners. We celebrated with Jordan Spieth and partnered with Eddie Lucas. We hosted the Ryder Cup captains on a private yacht.
We know waterfront golf is a hit.
What now?
We’re spreading the joy of waterfront golf by bringing the experience to the best waterfront resorts throughout the country. We’re partnering with high-end resorts with waterfront access to help them convert that precious space into the best driving range their guests will ever try.
Along the way, we’re collecting a boatload of stories, memories, and insights. And we’re about to get a little more active in sharing them with you.
If you want to keep up with all the stunning places we’re hitting golf balls into the water or find out which pro golfer will be next to hit our Zero® Ball, sign up to our newsletter. We’re upping our game, and we want you along for the ride.
