Fremantle's 24/7 Golf Gym Revolutionises Sport Accessibility for Busy Enthusiasts
A groundbreaking 24/7 golf gym has opened its doors in Fremantle, providing a novel approach to the traditional game by significantly reducing both the time commitment and financial burden often associated with golf. This innovative venue, known as Always Golf, is the creation of 23-year-old entrepreneur Max McCole from Canning Vale, who has been passionate about golf since childhood but grew increasingly frustrated with the sport's challenges in fitting into modern lifestyles.
Young Entrepreneur Takes a Bold Leap
Max McCole, the sole owner and operator of Always Golf, decided to take a risk and launch the business in O’Connor just a few months ago, and he has not looked back since. "I had the idea in the middle of last year, and I just decided to go for it. I’m only 23, but I had really good family support," McCole explained. He emphasised that the venture has exceeded his expectations, though he acknowledged the inherent doubts that come with entrepreneurship. "It’s better than I expected. You have to have that self-confidence as a business owner, but there’s always that element of doubt. It’s so surreal that it’s all working out well."
Family support played a crucial role in bringing Always Golf to life. McCole, along with his brother and father, handled the entire fit-out themselves, including tasks like painting, laying carpet, building a putting area, and working with artificial turf. "I made loads of mistakes, but you’ve got to do that. I’m just glad I decided to go for it," he reflected, highlighting the hands-on learning experience that shaped the gym's development.
State-of-the-Art Facilities and Flexible Access
Always Golf operates around the clock for members, featuring advanced Trackman virtual golf simulators, an indoor putting green, and a range of classic gym equipment such as a bench press, squat rack, cable machines, and resistance bands. Members can book one-hour virtual golf timeslots online in advance, while enjoying unrestricted access to the fitness facilities at any time. For newcomers, a free trial is available during staffed hours: weekdays from 9am to 4pm and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.
"It’s a golf-specific gym. I’m trying to help your average, everyday golfers get better at golf," McCole stated. "I’ve got members that come at midnight, 1pm, 10pm - it’s golf on your schedule." This flexibility addresses common barriers like high costs and time constraints, making the sport more accessible and enjoyable for players of all skill levels.
Making Golf Affordable and Fun
McCole pointed out that golf can often be an expensive and time-consuming hobby, and his goal is to transform it into a cost-effective and convenient activity. "People don’t have time for golf, it’s an expensive hobby. If I can make it a bit more cost effective and make it work for people’s day to day, then I’ve done my job," he said. His youthful perspective drove the decision to launch the business without hesitation. "I just thought, ‘why not?’ I’m so young, I’ve got nothing to stress about. I could fail for the next 10 years and only be 33 – there’s no real risk when you look at it from that point of view."
He added that overthinking could have stalled progress. "There was no point dilly-dallying and stressing too much about it, because nothing would have happened. I would’ve been waiting for the best time to do it, which never would’ve come."
Managing Growth and Future Plans
Always Golf has already attracted 140 members, a milestone McCole finds exciting. However, he plans to implement a cap to maintain quality and prevent overcrowding. "There will be a cap, because I don’t want to let it turn into a shoulder-to-shoulder golf facility. I’ll play that by ear," he noted. While expansion to multiple locations might require additional staff in the future, McCole currently enjoys being hands-on at the Fremantle site. "If I expand to multiple locations, I’ll have to get more staff, but at the moment I love being here."
This innovative golf gym not only offers a fresh take on the sport but also exemplifies how young entrepreneurs can drive change in traditional industries, making activities like golf more inclusive and adaptable to contemporary lifestyles.
