Hello, I am interested in knowing the minimum recommeded size,
especially depth for a prospective driving range.

I know that you can use limited range balls so that distance do not
have to actual. Meaning a limited range ball might only travel 65% of
a regular ball. So you can use distance markers for 150 Yards that are
actually only set at 97.50 yards.

So what is the minimum depth for an acceptable driving range?

Greetings again!

I posted a comment earlier advising you that I had written an email to
the fine people at the American Society of Golf Course Architects, to
see if they would be willing to give you the specific information you
were needing.

I finally received a response, and as promised I am now passing along
the information.

Here is a copy of his email:

"To:  madsky101

From:  Jay Morrish - President of The American Society of Golf Course
Architects

Unfortunately, you will not find reliable driving range requirements
from
the internet, because there are no iron clad rules.  There are several
variables that affect the necessary lengths.  First, the ball flies
10%
further at a 1,000 foot elevation than at sea level.  Second, if the
range
plays severely up hill, the required distance is much less than our
playing
severely down hill.  Third, the new golf ball and equipment have
changed
the
nature of the game, because the ball flies about 10% further than
fifteen
years ago.

So, lets assume your driving range is at 1,000 feet elevation or less,
and
is level, I would build a range with a minimum of 350 yards from the
front
of the tee to the back of the range."

I hope that this email will help to answer the depth question, and it
was a pleasure assisting you with this information.



Helpful links

The American Society of Golf Course
Architects
http://www.golfdesign.org/

The National Golf Foundation offers two publications, "How to Plan,
Build and Operate a Successful Golf Driving Range" ($150) and
"Alternative Golf Facilities-Development and Operation of Ranges and
Non-regulation Golf Courses" ($70).  Their website can be found at
http://www.ngf.org/

The Golf Range and Recreation Association of America (212-481-7792,
$100 for membership) publishes a magazine called the Golf Range and
Recreation Report ($75 for six issues). Their "Golf Range and
Recreation Encyclopedia ($225) deals with design, development, and
other issues in starting and running a range.  They can be found at
http://www.golfrange.org/index.html

Hope this helps

By the way, the source for the above information was
www.cnnsi.com/golfonline/faq/general.html

Greetings

I am posting this as a comment, because I do not have the magic number
for your question about minimum depth of a driving range.

I have only been able to come up with general information, saying you
can build a range on property ranging from 1.5 acres to 18 acres.

I have sent an email to the American Society of Golf Course
Architects, in an effort to obtain further information concerning your
question.  I will post any information I receive once I feel it is
information enough to answer your question.

Range Automation Systems has a list a faqs pertaining to many
questions about driving ranges.  Check out the general questions
segment at http://www.rangesystems.com/faq.html#2

As an avid golfer, I would say 300-350 yards would be an acceptable
depth of a driving range.  If you have any golfers that hit it farther
than that they shouldn't be at a little driving range, they should be
in the Long Drive Competition (
http://www.remaxwldc.com/wldc-home?openform&page=WLDC2001Results ). 
The width would just be determined by the number of people you would
want to be able to hit at any given time, leaving them enough room so
they don't interfere with each other.

There is an article in the Golf Range Times which appears to be
exactly what you are seeking: See the March/April 2002 issue of Golf
Range Times, which is available at:
http://www.golfrangetimes.com/pages/back.html

There is a charge for this back publication. Perhaps a local library
or competing course will have the mag available?

Good luck.