The concept of a "magic carpet golf cost" is a term used in the golfing industry to describe the hypothetical cost of playing a round of golf on a course that resembles a magical carpet ride. The phrase "magic carpet" refers to the mythical flying carpet from folklore and fairy tales, which is said to have the ability to transport people through the air. In golf, the term is used metaphorically to evoke a sense of an extraordinary or surreal golfing experience. When discussing the "magic carpet golf cost," it is important to note that it is a figurative term and does not represent an actual expense. Rather, it symbolizes the high level of enjoyment and awe that can be derived from playing a round of golf on a truly exceptional course. The cost associated with playing a round of golf on a "magic carpet" course will naturally vary depending on factors such as the course's location, prestige, and exclusivity.
Another plus is that adventure golf appeals to people of all ages. That alone should keep people paying to putt yellow, purple and green golf balls, course owners say.
Why We Go For a low-cost option on a day that isn t conducive to skiing or boating, Magic Carpet Miniature Golf Tahoe provides fun for the whole family. It s a fun business because, in general, people go there and have a good time, said Jerry Kocis, part owner of Global Golf, the company that started Ruins de El Dorado.
The cost associated with playing a round of golf on a "magic carpet" course will naturally vary depending on factors such as the course's location, prestige, and exclusivity. Such courses are typically designed by renowned golf course architects and offer a unique blend of beautiful surroundings, challenging layouts, and impeccable maintenance. In terms of monetary value, playing on a "magic carpet" golf course may be more expensive than playing on an average course.
GOLF'S MAGIC CARPET RIDE
"Adventure" golf, the new breed of miniature golf courses, has replaced the windmills and ceramic animals with 20-foot shipwrecks and waterfalls. These courses have sloped putting greens, water hazards and rocks on a landscape that looks like something out of Epcot Center.
All this comes at a price. At the seven courses with an adventure golf theme in the Tampa Bay area, players pay up to $6 for one round.
A course costs more than $1-million to build, but the rewards are hefty, too. With some locations bringing in $500,000 a year and keeping half of that as profit, there's nothing miniature about adventure golf.
"The old, flat, obstacle-laden, rinky-dink courses are passe," said Skip Laun, executive director of Tallahassee-based Miniature Golf Association of America. Many say the newer courses add a sporting element to miniature golf, which has long been perceived as more of a children's game.
"I think those windmills (on old putt-putt courses) are luck and chance. This is the '90s and people want real golf," said David Sheppard, manager and part owner of Fiesta Falls Adventure Golf in Indian Rocks Beach. Sheppard, a professional golfer for five years, helped design the Fiesta Falls course, complete with water hazards on the greens.
The adventure golf courses have pars around 40, but scores average in the high 40s and low 50s. Some courses, like Congo River Golf & Exploration Co. in Clearwater and Tampa, change the layout and difficulty of the holes so returning players don't play the same course each time.
This brand of golf is catching on. There are more than 1,000 courses with adventure golf or similar themes nationwide, Laun said, compared to 7,000 more traditional courses.
The first adventure golf courses were built in the Myrtle Beach, S.C., area in the early 1980s. After the builders saw the success of the first courses, they began to look for warm locales where players could play year-round. Florida was an obvious choice.
At most area adventure courses, majority ownership is held by one of a number of out-of-state private companies, most of which are based in Traverse City, Mich. The city is the mecca of adventure golf courses. Designers built two courses there in the mid-'80s, and course designers then took their success to other states.
Adventure Golf Design and Development, a Traverse City company, is the biggest adventure course operator in Florida, with six Congo River courses. The adventure courses started appearing in the Tampa Bay area about seven years ago.
Fiesta Falls, the Indian Rocks Beach course, has been open for five years and draws as many as 1,000 players a day during its peak season, January to April. With an average price of $4.87 per person ($5.45 for adults, less for children and seniors), that's as much as $4,870 in revenue lining up at the ticket booth in a day.
Creating these courses isn't cheap. Building Fiesta Falls' elaborate rock formations, waterfalls and putting greens took several months and cost almost $500,000, said Wayne Lobdell. His firm, Lobdell Management of Traverse City, is a general partner in the course.
Then there are "soft" costs, including design and legal fees, that can be hundreds of thousands of dollars. The initial investment on an adventure golf course is well over $1-million, Lobdell said.
The high initial cost of adventure golf courses forces owners to charge higher fees to play. In contrast to nearby adventure golf courses, players pay only $2.50 at St. Pete Beach's Polynesian Putter, a traditional miniature golf course.
But once the course is built, operating costs are comparatively tiny. The payroll for the courses is small, utility bills are low and most of the maintenance is done by the employees. Sheppard said Fiesta Falls has had as much as $800,000 in revenue in a year and can make about $400,000 in profit.
The courses pay for themselves in two years, Laun said, and only two adventure golf courses have gone out of business nationwide since the concept began.
The players at these courses, mostly tourists, don't seem to mind paying more money to play. Bill and Linda Faletti, on vacation from Ashford, Conn., stopped at Pirates Cove Adventure Golf in Madeira Beach recently because it was the first course they saw.
"We find it relaxing," Bill said after his ball lipped the 17th hole, eliciting a groan from his wife. "We hit every (course) we see."
The course owners say two basic elements in business success, location and good service, get people to come and play. The courses are located on heavily traveled streets like Gulf Boulevard on the Pinellas County beaches and U.S. 19 in Clearwater and Port Richey, where many people drive by, see the shipwrecks and waterfalls, and stop to play.
But the key to survival in this business isn't getting players to come on the course _ it's getting them to come back.
There are four courses within 12 miles of each other on Gulf Boulevard, and the courses have plenty of tricks to get visitors to play their course more often than the competition's.
Brenda Bromley, manager and part owner of the Ruins de El Dorado course in St. Pete Beach, uses coupons, special rates for residents, discounts on second rounds, and a variety of other incentives to get people to come back.
While the adventure golf courses are businesses out to make money, the owners and managers tend to think of them as labors of love.
"It's a fun business because, in general, people go there and have a good time," said Jerry Kocis, part owner of Global Golf, the company that started Ruins de El Dorado. "You don't have to deal with irate people or other people of that nature."
Another plus is that adventure golf appeals to people of all ages. That alone should keep people paying to putt yellow, purple and green golf balls, course owners say.
"It's an escape," said Fiesta Falls' Lobdell. "I think the most important thing is that the whole family can go out and play. The whole family can't go out to play tennis, the whole family can go out to play miniature golf and each can be reasonably competitive."
"It's an escape," said Fiesta Falls' Lobdell. "I think the most important thing is that the whole family can go out and play. The whole family can't go out to play tennis, the whole family can go out to play miniature golf and each can be reasonably competitive."
However, the exact cost cannot be quantified as it is subjective and dependent on individual preferences and financial situations. Ultimately, the "magic carpet golf cost" serves as a metaphorical reminder of the immense pleasure and enchantment that can be derived from playing golf on a truly remarkable course. It highlights the value of seeking out exceptional golfing experiences and investing in one's enjoyment and passion for the sport..
Reviews for "Is Magic Carpet Golf a Luxury or a Budget-Friendly Activity?"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to try out Magic Carpet Golf Cost, but I left feeling really disappointed. Firstly, the course was very poorly maintained, with broken tiles and uneven surfaces. It made it difficult to enjoy the game when I was constantly worried about tripping or stumbling. Secondly, the staff were rude and unhelpful. When we approached them with concerns about the course, they simply brushed us off and showed no interest in resolving the issues. Overall, I would not recommend Magic Carpet Golf Cost to anyone looking for a fun and enjoyable mini golf experience.
2. Sarah - 1 star - My experience at Magic Carpet Golf Cost was absolutely terrible. The course was overcrowded and it became impossible to play at a comfortable pace. Groups were not spaced out properly, leading to long waits at each hole. On top of that, the prices were ridiculously high for the subpar experience we received. The staff seemed disinterested and unwilling to address any of our concerns. It's safe to say I will not be returning to Magic Carpet Golf Cost in the future.
3. Mike - 2 stars - Magic Carpet Golf Cost failed to live up to my expectations. The course design was uninspiring and lacked creativity. It felt like I was playing the same hole over and over again, with no exciting surprises or challenges. Additionally, the equipment provided was in poor condition, with worn-out putters and dull balls. It was clear that no effort was put into maintaining the quality of the game. Overall, I was left unimpressed by Magic Carpet Golf Cost and would not recommend it to others seeking a thrilling mini golf experience.