Bobby Westfall Golf Driving Range

"Despite being very good at what I did, at some point they think you're too old to continue," Westfall said. "All I have ever done is be a golf pro, so I thought the heck with them, I'll start my own venture."

The venture he started is a golf range at 10826 FM 2920, Tomball. Westfall lives in Cypress and has land in Tomball and noticed there was a need for quality driving ranges in the area and also wanted a venue to teach golf lessons. He found property that was a previous location of a golf range and leased the land to start his own business. Westfall said the property was overgrown and took quite a bit of cleaning, but the end result was a quality range.

"It's really a first-class, beautiful and clean golf range," he said. "Our motto is that we like to keep it clean and green."

The driving range is open every day, year round, except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Customers at the range can find not only 32 hitting stations, but a sand trap and putting green. The range has mainly grass hitting stations, but there are eight rubber mat stations that can be used when it is too wet outside, Westfall said. Westfall also sells golf clubs, gloves, golf balls, drinks and snacks out of his shop on the range. He can also do small repairs on golf clubs, such as putting on new grips.

Revenues from the golf range make up about 80 percent of Westfall's business. The other 20 percent is derived from lessons he offers at the range, he said. Teaching people how to play golf and helping them improve their swing is Westfall's true passion. In his career, he has given more than 8,000 lessons and offers high-tech video lessons as part of his business, he said. Lessons are 30 minutes long and entail filming video of the swing, evaluating the swing and coaching to improve the swing.

"It's very fulfilling, rewarding and fun to help somebody and watch their game grow and improve," Westfall said. "It's exciting for me to get them to that point, and it's a good way of making money so it works out pretty well."

Westfall said weekends are typically his busiest days and repeat customers make up a majority of his business. However, in March, he had 136 new customers.

"I was just tickled to death to see that many new customers in a month," he said.

Westfall said he puts a big emphasis on retaining customers and attracting new ones because without the customers he would not have a successful business.

"If you treat them right and with respect, and you keep a nice and clean atmosphere, then the customers will keep coming and coming back," he said.

Customer Appreciation Day

Bobby Westfall Golf Range hosts its second annual Customer Appreciation Day on May 27 at 10826 FM 2920, Tomball. The public is invited to come out and enjoy half-price range balls and free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks.

Driving Range Fees

50-ball bucket: $5

110-ball bucket: $10

400-ball bucket: $30

Video Golf Lessons

30-minute adult lesson: $50

30-minute under 18 lesson: $30

60-minute adult lesson: $100

60-minute under 18 lesson: $60

Six 30-minute adult lessons: $250

Six 30-minute under 18 lessons: $150

Bobby Westfall Golf Range

10826 FM 2920, Tomball 832-567-2296 https://www.bobbywestfallgolfrange.com, www.bobbywestfallgolfrange.com, Hours: Sun.–Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m.