The Back Nine
Back Nine Golf Group, LLC is the franchisor. It offers the right to operate a 24-hour indoor golf facility with three to five Full Swing simulators, club fitting, golf lessons, and party and event space. The FDD describes its market as golfers seeking indoor simulator experiences and related services.
What It Costs
Open The Full FDD2026 Item 7 estimate; three months of additional funds excludes owner compensation and debt service.
Where Your Startup Money Goes
| Cost | Disclosed Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $50,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Training Travel | $1,000 to $5,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 Travel and living expenses; wages and benefits also remain your responsibility. |
| Real Estate Improvements | $50,000 to $225,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 Construction and leasehold work vary by site. |
| Signage | $5,000 to $15,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Equipment | $156,050 to $251,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 Three simulators at the low end; five at the high end. |
| Miscellaneous Supplies | $3,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Initial Advertising Materials | $3,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Marketing Launch Ad Spend | $6,000 to $10,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 Last 60 days before opening and first 30 days of operation. |
| Premises Deposit | $2,000 to $9,500 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Rent — Three Months | $6,000 to $28,500 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Internet And Utilities — Three Months | $1,800 to $2,500 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Furniture | $5,000 to $25,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Licenses And Permits | $200 to $1,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Insurance | $1,000 to $2,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Professional Fees | $0 to $5,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Security And Automation | $7,500 to $25,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Utility Deposits | $1,500 to $3,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 |
| Additional Funds — Three Months | $8,000 to $25,000 | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 Excludes owner compensation and debt service. |
Line items are shown as disclosed. Some costs overlap or apply to different formats; do not add them together without reviewing the source.
Open The Full FDDKey Franchise Fees
- Initial Franchise Fee
- $50,000; due at signing and nonrefundable.
View Disclosed Terms
- Royalty
- 8% of monthly Gross Revenues as defined in the agreement.
View Disclosed Terms
8% of monthly Gross Revenues as defined in the agreement.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 8 · PDF Page 13 · PDF Page 14 · Item 6
Review Fee Sources - Marketing & Advertising
- Not currently assessed in the March 2026 FDD.
View Disclosed Terms
Fees And Payment Terms
| Fee | Disclosed Terms | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $50,000; due at signing and nonrefundable. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 7 |
| Royalty | 8% of monthly Gross Revenues as defined in the agreement. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 8 · PDF Page 13 · PDF Page 14 |
| Marketing System | $250 per month beginning 120 days after signing; annual increases up to 5%. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 8 |
| Internal Systems | $350 per month beginning 60 days after signing; 30 days’ notice for increases, limited to 5% annually. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 8 |
| Full Swing Software Maintenance | $2,000 per simulator per year. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 13 · PDF Page 14 |
| Brand Marketing Fund | Not currently assessed in the March 2026 FDD. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 8 |
| Local Advertising | $0 currently disclosed; may require up to 1% of monthly Gross Revenues. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 9 |
| Advertising Cooperative | None established at filing; required if formed. Contributions count toward local advertising and are additional to Brand Marketing Fund contributions. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 9 |
| Renewal | $5,000, when renewing under the stated conditions. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 10 |
| Transfer | $20,000, when a transfer occurs under the stated conditions. | 2026 FDD · PDF Page 10 |
Some fees apply only to a specific event or service. These are not all monthly expenses.
Open The Full FDDSee how the disclosed startup costs fit your cash, reserves, and financing plans.
Your Role As An Owner
Open The Full FDDThe franchisee or an owner must participate fully in day-to-day operations, but may designate a manager to handle them. A manager need not own equity but must complete initial training. The franchisor says owners are generally expected to manage directly with full-time best efforts, and each owner must agree to discharge the franchisee’s obligations.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 30 · PDF Page 31 · Item 15 · View Source
Read The Disclosed Requirements
The manager and all owners must agree in writing to confidentiality and noncompetition provisions. Franchisees are expected to participate actively in meetings and supplemental training. The FDD says a spouse who is not a party to the agreements does not have to personally guarantee performance.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 31 · Item 15 · View Source
Territory
Open The Full FDDThe agreement grants the right to operate one outlet in a defined territory, identified by zip codes or a radius and located in all or part of a town, city, or county. The territory is not exclusive: while the franchisee is not in default, the franchisor says it will not open or authorize another Back Nine outlet there. The FDD still identifies competition from other franchisees, franchisor-owned outlets, brands, and distribution channels.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 27 · Item 12 · View Source
Read The Disclosed Requirements
The franchisor reserves sales through channels such as the internet, media, wholesale, and mail order, and controls internet marketing and use of the marks online. Missing the agreement’s minimum performance benchmarks may allow it to reduce territorial protection, increase local marketing requirements, or terminate the agreement. Relocation requires good standing and written permission; the franchisor may alter the territory, and the new site must meet its criteria and be available under other franchise commitments.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 27 · PDF Page 28 · Item 12 · View Source
A disclosed territory policy does not confirm that your preferred area is available. Ask the franchisor about the specific area you are considering.
Training & Support
Open The Full FDDBefore opening, the franchisor provides orientation and training materials, a checklist, and the Operations Manual, and assists the franchisee and manager with the initial program. The program is described as about two to three days of remote training and at least one onsite day at headquarters in St. George, followed by checklist completion. Up to three people may participate; the franchisee and any manager must complete required training to the franchisor’s satisfaction unless it deems training unnecessary based on experience.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 20 · PDF Page 21 · PDF Page 22 · Item 11 · View Source
Read The Disclosed Requirements
After checklist completion, the franchisor provides periodic remote support by phone and email and says it will periodically call to discuss operating issues. The franchisee or designated manager must attend annual programs and seminars, usually with the convention, for up to 12–16 hours depending on availability; additional refresher training may also be required. Other pre-opening help is discretionary, and extra training requested by the franchisee depends on availability and agreement.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 21 · PDF Page 23 · Item 11 · View Source
Franchisor Financing
Open The Full FDDThe franchisor says it offers neither direct nor indirect financing and does not guarantee a franchisee’s note, lease, or other obligation. These statements address the franchisor’s financing and guarantees; they do not say whether outside lenders are available or willing to finance a franchisee.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 20 · Item 10 · View Source
Explore Listed Locations
U.S. franchisee directory · 118 listed addresses · 74 mapped
Explore the FDD’s listed stores below, or open the interactive map for street-level detail.
118 listed · 74 mapped
The Back Nine - Birmingham
2815 Greystone Commercial Blvd, Ste. 400, Birmingham AL 35242
View The FDD Listing · Page 137 Map Point SourceDrag to explore. Use + / − to zoom, or select a store in the list. Listings without verified map points remain in the directory.
The 2026 FDD - Exhibit E lists these addresses as of December 31, 2025. It does not establish current openings, closures or territory availability.
This directory contains 118 distinct addresses from the FDD list. One repeated address is shown once, one row labelled Corporate is excluded, and one franchisee row contains two Cedar City addresses. Address counts are not a count of franchisees or operating outlets. Agreements for unopened outlets and former franchisees are excluded. Address spelling and incomplete ZIP codes are retained as printed; uncertain map matches are withheld.
Sources & Map Details
Addresses come from the FDD’s current-franchisee list for that reporting date. Former-franchisee entries are excluded. Select a store to open its source page.
Map points use matching brand-published coordinates or Census street-address estimates. They are not rooftop surveys or territory boundaries. Unverified points are omitted. The offline view uses Census state outlines; the interactive basemap uses OpenFreeMap and OpenStreetMap.
Add your area to the questions you want a franchisor to confirm.
Inside The FDD
Open The Full FDDPlain-language summaries of the FDD. Follow the page links to read the original document and its conditions.
Source-linked summaries of this FDD. Unresolved terms are omitted.
Sources
01The Franchisor And The Business
Back Nine Golf Group, LLC is the franchisor. It offers the right to operate a 24-hour indoor golf facility with three to five Full Swing simulators, club fitting, golf lessons, and party and event space. The FDD describes its market as golfers seeking indoor simulator experiences and related services.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 6 · Item 1 · View Source
The franchisor is a Utah LLC formed in 2023 and says it began offering franchises in November 2023. Its predecessor, The Golf Studio, LLC, offered Back Nine franchises before selling the system’s assets—including trademarks, software, and franchise agreements—to the franchisor in November 2023. Back Nine International, LLC is an affiliate holding interests in franchising companies for other countries.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 6 · Item 1 · View Source
02Business Experience
Wil Bangerter is identified as founder and CEO since the company’s inception. He has also been owner/operator of Golf Studio, LLC in St. George, Utah, since December 2020, and worked as an attorney at Bangerter Frazier Group from June 2020 to December 2023. Brady Carlsen has been COO since inception and owner/operator of The Golf Studio, LLC since September 2021.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 7 · Item 2 · View Source
Carlsen was an account executive at Healthcare Compliance Pros from September to November 2023 and at Les Olson IT from October 2020 to September 2023. Darren Wilstead has been director of franchise sales since January 2024; before that, he was a regional sales manager for Zimmer Biomet from June 2020 to December 2023. These are the roles and dates reported in this FDD.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 7 · Item 2 · View Source
03Litigation
The FDD states that no litigation is required to be disclosed in Item 3. This is the document’s required-disclosure statement; it does not say that the franchisor has never been involved in litigation.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 7 · Item 3 · View Source
04Bankruptcy
The FDD states that no bankruptcies are required to be disclosed in Item 4. This is the document’s required-disclosure statement, not a claim that no bankruptcy history exists.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 7 · Item 4 · View Source
05Initial Fees
The initial franchise fee is $50,000 for one outlet. It is due when the Franchise Agreement is signed and is nonrefundable. Initial training for up to three people is included, but travel, lodging, meals and wages are extra.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 7 · PDF Page 16 · Item 5 · View Source
06Other Fees
The royalty is 8% of monthly Gross Revenues. The disclosed Brand Marketing Fund fee was not being assessed at the FDD date, and local advertising was $0 with a right to require up to 1% of monthly Gross Revenues. The marketing and internal-systems fees begin after specified periods following signing, before the business may be open.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 8 · PDF Page 9 · PDF Page 10 · PDF Page 13 · PDF Page 14 · Item 6 · View Source
Full Swing software maintenance is charged per simulator, not per location. A future regional advertising cooperative can add required spending, credited against local advertising. Training, transfer, renewal and default-related charges apply only in their stated circumstances; the fee list is not a complete monthly operating budget.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 8 · PDF Page 9 · PDF Page 10 · PDF Page 11 · PDF Page 12 · PDF Page 13 · PDF Page 14 · Item 6 · View Source
07Estimated Initial Investment
The 2026 estimate for one outlet is $307,050 to $688,500. It assumes leased premises of about 2,000–4,000 square feet and equipment for three simulators at the low end or five at the high end. Purchasing real estate changes the cost and is not included in this range.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 14 · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 · Item 7 · View Source
The $8,000 to $25,000 additional-funds estimate covers three months and excludes owner compensation and loan payments. The table separately includes three months of rent and utilities. Local rent, buildout, staffing and financing terms still need to be checked for your location.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 15 · PDF Page 16 · PDF Page 17 · Item 7 · View Source
08Required Purchases And Suppliers
Equipment, supplies and services must meet the franchisor’s specifications and come from designated or approved suppliers where required. Full Swing supplies the simulators; the disclosure also identifies requirements for access systems, architecture and CRM software. Alternative suppliers require written approval, requested information and any required samples. No response within 60 days means the request has not been approved.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 18 · PDF Page 19 · Item 8 · View Source
09Your Obligations
The obligations table points to duties involving site selection, development and opening; pre-opening and ongoing purchases; training; operating standards; approved products and services; maintenance; insurance; advertising; staffing; records; inspections; and renewal, transfer, post-termination, noncompetition, and dispute requirements. The table directs readers to the agreement and other FDD items for details.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 19 · PDF Page 20 · Item 9 · View Source
You must maintain insurance the franchisor specifies, including naming it as an additional insured; the insurer must be acceptable to the franchisor and have at least the stated rating. Coverage requirements may change during the agreement. Failure to use approved items or designated suppliers may be a default, and after a default the franchisor may direct suppliers to withhold products or services.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 19 · Item 9 · View Source
10Franchisor Financing
The franchisor says it offers neither direct nor indirect financing and does not guarantee a franchisee’s note, lease, or other obligation. These statements address the franchisor’s financing and guarantees; they do not say whether outside lenders are available or willing to finance a franchisee.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 20 · Item 10 · View Source
11Training And Support
Before opening, the franchisor provides orientation and training materials, a checklist, and the Operations Manual, and assists the franchisee and manager with the initial program. The program is described as about two to three days of remote training and at least one onsite day at headquarters in St. George, followed by checklist completion. Up to three people may participate; the franchisee and any manager must complete required training to the franchisor’s satisfaction unless it deems training unnecessary based on experience.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 20 · PDF Page 21 · PDF Page 22 · Item 11 · View Source
After checklist completion, the franchisor provides periodic remote support by phone and email and says it will periodically call to discuss operating issues. The franchisee or designated manager must attend annual programs and seminars, usually with the convention, for up to 12–16 hours depending on availability; additional refresher training may also be required. Other pre-opening help is discretionary, and extra training requested by the franchisee depends on availability and agreement.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 21 · PDF Page 23 · Item 11 · View Source
12Territory
The agreement grants the right to operate one outlet in a defined territory, identified by zip codes or a radius and located in all or part of a town, city, or county. The territory is not exclusive: while the franchisee is not in default, the franchisor says it will not open or authorize another Back Nine outlet there. The FDD still identifies competition from other franchisees, franchisor-owned outlets, brands, and distribution channels.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 27 · Item 12 · View Source
The franchisor reserves sales through channels such as the internet, media, wholesale, and mail order, and controls internet marketing and use of the marks online. Missing the agreement’s minimum performance benchmarks may allow it to reduce territorial protection, increase local marketing requirements, or terminate the agreement. Relocation requires good standing and written permission; the franchisor may alter the territory, and the new site must meet its criteria and be available under other franchise commitments.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 27 · PDF Page 28 · Item 12 · View Source
13Trademarks
The agreement licenses the marks for use in the franchise. The franchisor controls permitted use and has discretion over whether to act on infringement claims. It may change or modify the marks; the franchisee must adopt those changes and bear related reasonable costs. The FDD says goodwill associated with the marks accrues to the franchisor, subject to applicable law.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 29 · PDF Page 30 · Item 13 · View Source
14Patents, Copyrights And Proprietary Information
The franchisor describes its Operations Manual, reporting systems, booking and access software, and other business information as confidential or proprietary. The franchisee may use protected material only as allowed for operating the franchise and must not disclose it; the FDD also requires notice to the franchisor of unauthorized use. It states that the franchisor has no patents or pending patent applications material to the franchise.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 30 · Item 14 · View Source
15Your Role As An Owner
The franchisee or an owner must participate fully in day-to-day operations, but may designate a manager to handle them. A manager need not own equity but must complete initial training. The franchisor says owners are generally expected to manage directly with full-time best efforts, and each owner must agree to discharge the franchisee’s obligations.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 30 · PDF Page 31 · Item 15 · View Source
The manager and all owners must agree in writing to confidentiality and noncompetition provisions. Franchisees are expected to participate actively in meetings and supplemental training. The FDD says a spouse who is not a party to the agreements does not have to personally guarantee performance.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 31 · Item 15 · View Source
16Products And Services You May Sell
You may offer and sell only products, services, and programs the franchisor approves in writing, and must offer those it designates as required. Alternative distribution channels require prior written approval. The franchisor reserves the right to add, change, or remove authorized offerings.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 31 · Item 16 · View Source
17Renewal, Termination, Transfer And Disputes
The initial agreement term is 10 years. A franchisee in good standing may renew for up to three additional five-year terms by signing the then-current agreement, which may have materially different terms. Listed renewal conditions include advance notice, faithful performance, a release, signing the new agreement, and retraining. The table lists no franchisee termination provision and says the franchisor may terminate only for default.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 31 · PDF Page 32 · Item 17 · View Source
Some defaults have a 30-day cure period; the disclosure also lists defaults that may lead to automatic termination or termination on notice. A transfer requires franchisor approval and specified conditions, including a qualified transferee who assumes the obligations, completes training, and signs the then-current agreement. On termination or nonrenewal, listed duties include de-identification, returning manuals, paying amounts owed, and complying with confidentiality and noncompetition covenants.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 32 · PDF Page 33 · PDF Page 34 · Item 17 · View Source
The agreement describes a two-year post-term noncompetition covenant covering the territory, specified 25-mile areas, and the United States. Disputes are to be submitted first to good-faith mediation; the table places mediation and litigation in Washington County, Utah, and applies Utah law, subject to state addenda and applicable state-law qualifications.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 34 · PDF Page 35 · Item 17 · View Source
18Public Figures
Item 18 identifies professional golfer Kevin Kisner as a franchise investor who promotes The Back Nine. It says he receives no separate payment for that promotion beyond his compensation as an investor and has no management or control role in the franchisor or franchise.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 35 · Item 18 · View Source
19Financial Performance Representations
The FDD describes historical financial representations for operating franchise outlets, excluding outlets with fewer than three simulator bays and those open for less than six months. It says the included outlets are not expected to have material financial or operating characteristics different from the outlet a franchisee would operate, while cautioning that individual results may differ and are not assured.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 36 · Item 19 · View Source
The FDD defines “Total Revenue” as gross revenue from sources that may include memberships, hourly use, advertising, lessons, and events, and says written substantiation is available on reasonable request. It says it makes and authorizes no other performance representations, except that actual records may be provided if a franchisee is purchasing an existing outlet.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 37 · PDF Page 38 · Item 19 · View Source
20Outlets And Franchisee Information
Item 20 reports historical outlet openings, transfers and closures for 2023–2025 and includes projections for the next year. It also directs readers to franchisee and former-franchisee contact lists. These disclosures do not confirm current openings, territory availability or whether every listed operator is still active.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 38 · PDF Page 39 · PDF Page 40 · PDF Page 41 · PDF Page 42 · Item 20 · View Source
21Financial Statements
The FDD says Exhibit A contains the franchisor’s audited financial statements as of December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, and identifies December 31 as the fiscal year-end. This describes the franchisor’s statements; the passage does not make a claim about franchisee profitability or financial strength.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 42 · Item 21 · View Source
22Contracts
The attached contracts include the Franchise Agreement and a Franchisee Acknowledgment Statement. Review the agreements and applicable state addenda alongside the summary of rights and obligations in Item 17.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 42 · PDF Page 43 · Item 22 · View Source
23Receipts
The FDD says two copies of a receipt acknowledgment appear at the end of the document. The recipient is asked to sign and return one copy to the franchisor and keep the other for their records.
2026 FDD · PDF Page 43 · Item 23 · View Source
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