How to Finance The Back Nine Franchise: 24/7 Indoor Golf Clubs
By Anthony Cornella
The Back Nine franchise loan is a financing request for an indoor golf club built around simulator bays, member key access and very little staffing. Because the brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, buyers can compare SBA-backed loans with conventional, equipment and working capital financing when they plan a new club or buy an existing one.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by The Back Nine; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document and website can change, loan programs and terms vary by borrower, and every loan is subject to review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice. Read the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you commit.
The Back Nine Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: climate-controlled indoor golf on premium simulator hardware and software, with 24/7 member access.
- Operating model: the franchisor describes a lean footprint built on automation, access control and recurring member use, and says no employees are necessary.
- Revenue streams: monthly and annual memberships, hourly public tee times, lessons with golf pros and corporate packages.
- System size: the company’s franchise page reports more than 230 locations open and operating as of 2026, with more listed as coming soon.
- Founded: 2019, according to the company.
- Fees and investment: not published on the franchisor pages we could review; use Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S7791, with no special note attached.
What Is The Back Nine?
The Back Nine is an indoor golf brand that the company says was founded in 2019. Each club is a climate-controlled space with simulator bays where golfers play full rounds, practice and take lessons regardless of weather or daylight. The company says its clubs use premium simulator technology and proprietary software that handles demos, tee-time bookings and subscriptions.
The defining feature is access. Members get 24/7 entry, tee times of two hours or more and guest privileges, while non-members book public tee times by the hour. The franchisor markets the model to people who want either a full-time business or a second income stream, and it says growth comes from memberships, events and additional territories.
A fast-growing system. The company’s franchise page lists more than 230 open locations, and it also promotes a separate United Kingdom community. For a borrower, that scale means there are many operating clubs to learn from, but also that territories may already be taken in some markets.
Why lenders look closely at an unstaffed model. A club with few or no employees has lower payroll than a typical entertainment venue, which can help cash flow. Lenders will still want to understand security, access control, insurance, cleaning and maintenance, and who responds when a simulator or door lock fails at midnight.
The Back Nine Franchise Costs
The franchisor’s public pages do not list a franchise fee, royalty or investment range, so the FDD is the only reliable source for those numbers. Here is how the main cost categories typically shape a loan request for this type of club.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the fee and any discount or development fee for multiple territories. It is usually paid when you sign, before a loan closes, so treat it as part of your own cash.
Lease and build-out. The build-out is often the largest part of The Back Nine franchise loan. The company says it helps franchisees find a property through a real estate partner and supplies build-out plans and designs. Simulator bays need enough ceiling height for a full swing, impact screens, projectors, enclosures, sound control, lighting, HVAC and electrical work. Flex, retail and light-industrial spaces can all work if the landlord allows the use.
Simulators and technology. Launch monitors, hitting mats, screens, projectors, computers, access-control hardware and security cameras are central to the investment and to collateral.
Opening costs and reserves. Pre-opening marketing, membership presales, insurance, deposits, permits and a cash cushion for the ramp-up period belong in the budget.
Total investment. Item 7 of the FDD gives the low and high estimates for the full project. A typical request should line up with categories like these:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent before opening
- Architecture, permits and leasehold improvements
- Simulator bays, screens, enclosures and launch monitors
- Computers, software setup and booking technology
- Access-control, security and camera systems
- Furniture, lounge fixtures and signage
- Grand opening and presale marketing
- Training and travel
- Insurance, licenses and professional fees
- Additional funds for the early operating period
Our entertainment start-up financing page explains how we structure new venue projects.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists recurring fees, usually a royalty, a brand or marketing fund contribution and technology or software charges, plus transfer and renewal fees.
How lenders use these fees. For The Back Nine franchise loan, a lender subtracts royalty, marketing and technology charges, rent, utilities, software subscriptions, insurance and any contract labor from projected revenue, then measures what is left against the proposed loan payment. With a low-labor model, rent and fixed fees become a bigger share of costs, so modeling them accurately matters.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor’s public pages do not state minimum net worth or liquid capital requirements. Ask the franchise team for them in writing, and confirm them against the FDD.
The approval process. The company describes a sequence that includes an initial inquiry or discovery call, a qualification review, introductions to the team, a Discovery Day with leadership, receipt of the FDD and a final approval review. After approval, franchisees sign the franchise agreement, secure a location, complete training through an online portal and prepare for a grand opening that the corporate team attends.
Ways to Own The Back Nine
A new club. Many buyers open a new location in an available territory. Lenders underwrite these deals on projections, the site, the lease and the owner’s finances.
Buying an existing club. With a large number of clubs operating, resales may come up. A resale lets the lender review actual membership counts, churn and revenue. Our entertainment business acquisition page covers how these purchases are financed, subject to the franchisor’s transfer approval.
Additional territories. The company points to additional territories as a growth path. A multi-unit plan changes how you finance each opening, covered below.
Financing Options for The Back Nine Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. An SBA 7(a) loan can cover the franchise fee, build-out, simulators, technology and working capital in one package with a longer term than many conventional loans, which helps monthly payments during the membership ramp-up.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy a building for the club, an SBA 504 loan may fit the real estate and long-lived improvements. Most clubs lease space, so 504 is a niche option here.
Conventional term loans. Owners with strong credit, liquidity or other businesses may prefer a conventional business loan, especially for a second or third club once the first has a track record.
Equipment financing. Simulator packages, launch monitors, projectors, impact screens, enclosures and access-control systems can often be financed separately, keeping cash available for build-out. See our entertainment equipment financing options.
Working capital and lines of credit. Indoor golf demand typically peaks in cold or rainy months and can soften in good outdoor weather. A line of credit can cover rent and fixed fees during slower stretches and fund membership promotions. Learn about working capital and lines of credit for entertainment businesses.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may agree to carry part of the price on an existing club. Any seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit how it is structured.
SBA Loans for The Back Nine Franchisees
SBA lenders rely on the SBA Franchise Directory to confirm that a brand’s franchise agreement meets SBA eligibility standards. A brand on the directory can be financed without a separate review of the franchise relationship, though every borrower still goes through full credit underwriting.
The Back Nine’s listing. The brand appears on the directory under code S7791 with no special note. In plain terms, nothing in the listing flags an extra addendum or document for lenders to handle. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
SBA application tips. Bring a signed or near-final lease, the franchise agreement, the current FDD, a build-out bid, simulator and technology quotes, a membership-based projection and personal financial statements. Our SBA loans for family entertainment centers article explains how SBA lenders look at entertainment venues.
How Lenders Evaluate The Back Nine Deal
Personal credit and financial history. For The Back Nine franchise loan, expect a review of credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, plus a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want your cash injection to come from verifiable sources and want reserves left after closing. Owners who keep another job may show stronger personal income, which can support the request.
Experience. Golf industry, fitness club, membership or multi-site management experience helps. Since the model can run without staff, lenders focus on how you will handle marketing, member service and remote monitoring.
Business plan and projections. Build a plan around membership growth month by month, churn, public tee-time bookings, lessons, corporate packages and events, with a seasonal pattern that reflects your local climate. Avoid assuming the club fills up immediately.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal, transfer conditions, territory protections and any technology requirements. Check Item 19 to see whether the FDD includes financial performance representations, and Items 3 and 4 for any disclosures about the franchisor’s history.
Site and lease. Lenders want a lease term that covers the loan, landlord approval of 24/7 access, and permission for the build-out.
Resale financials. For an existing club, provide membership reports, software booking data and profit and loss statements that match tax returns.
Simulators, Access Control and Unstaffed Operations
The franchisor says its operations are built around automation, access control and recurring member usage. That design shifts spending from payroll to technology. Plan for door entry systems, member authentication, camera coverage, remote monitoring and a reliable internet connection, because the booking software and access hardware are the club’s front desk.
Insurance and risk. Unstaffed hours raise questions about liability, theft and damage. Lenders will usually require property coverage on the simulators and leasehold improvements and liability coverage for members and guests. Review the FDD’s insurance requirements and get quotes early.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Because the club can run with little staffing, some owners consider opening several locations. If the FDD offers a development agreement, it will set a schedule of openings and may require a development fee up front.
Financing the next club. Lenders usually want the first location to show stable membership before funding the second. Each new club typically has its own loan, though owners with several clubs may refinance or consolidate debt later. Read more about financing multiple franchise units.
Real-World Scenarios
An employed professional opening a first club. A buyer keeps a full-time job and opens a club in a flex space near a suburban neighborhood. An SBA 7(a) loan covers build-out, simulators and working capital, and the lender values the owner’s outside income as a backstop during membership ramp-up.
A buyer purchasing an existing club. A new owner buys a club with an established membership. The lender reviews membership history and booking data, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing a lease before confirming the landlord allows 24/7 access and simulator build-out
- Underestimating ceiling height, HVAC and electrical needs for simulator bays
- Projecting full membership in the first months
- Ignoring the slower outdoor-golf season in cash flow planning
- Skipping security, access-control and insurance costs for unstaffed hours
- Forgetting future simulator, screen and software upgrades
Learn about other pitfalls in common entertainment center loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Back Nine Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Get the current disclosure document and review Items 5, 6, 7, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney.
Step 2: Confirm owner requirements. Ask the franchise team for net worth, liquidity and territory details in writing.
Step 3: Estimate payments. Use our SBA loan calculator for planning estimates, which are not an offer or approval.
Step 4: Pick a site. Work with the franchisor’s real estate process to find a space that fits simulator bays and 24/7 access.
Step 5: Build projections. Model membership growth, churn, tee times, lessons and seasonality.
Step 6: Apply for financing. Submit the lease, FDD, quotes, projections and personal financials.
Step 7: Close and open. Coordinate build-out, equipment delivery, training and presale marketing.
The Back Nine Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open The Back Nine?
The franchisor’s public pages do not list a range. Item 7 of the current FDD gives the estimated initial investment, including build-out, simulators and working capital.
What is the franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD discloses the initial fee and any multi-territory fees. Request the current document from the franchise team.
Is The Back Nine on the SBA Franchise Directory?
Yes. It is listed under code S7791 with no special note, so SBA lenders can consider SBA 7(a) and 504 loans for qualified borrowers.
Can I keep my full-time job?
The franchisor pitches the model for a full-time business or a second income stream and says no employees are necessary. Lenders will still want a clear plan for marketing, member service and maintenance.
Can I finance the simulators separately?
Often, yes. Equipment financing can cover simulator packages, screens, projectors and access-control systems, depending on lender approval.
Can I buy an existing Back Nine club?
Yes, if a seller is available and the franchisor approves the transfer. Lenders can use the club’s actual membership and revenue history.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD to see whether the franchisor offers any direct or indirect financing.
How long is the franchise agreement?
Item 17 of the FDD shows the term, renewal and transfer conditions. Lenders generally want the remaining term to exceed the loan term.
Does the FDD include earnings information?
Review Item 19 to see whether the FDD includes financial performance representations.
What documents do I need for The Back Nine franchise loan?
Expect to provide tax returns, a personal financial statement, the FDD, the franchise agreement, a lease or letter of intent, build-out and equipment quotes, and projections.
Final Thoughts
The Back Nine franchise loan is about funding a technology-heavy, lightly staffed membership club. Owners who secure a suitable lease, budget for simulators and access control, and build realistic membership projections give lenders the clarity they need.
US Professional Funding helps franchise buyers and owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and family entertainment financing programs.
