How to Start an X-Golf Franchise in 7 Steps: Checklist

The 2026 FDD does not publish a minimum net worth, liquid-capital threshold, credit score, education requirement, golf-industry background, or mandatory prior business ownership. It also does not describe a universal application fee or promise approval when a prospect meets any financial threshold. Ask X GOLF Franchise Corporation for its current written candidate-screening criteria and identify whether each criterion applies to the applicant, ownership group, legal entity, or proposed unit.

The disclosed ownership and management gates begin with the Franchise Agreement. A sole owner becomes the Principal Executive; a multi-owner entity must designate one owner for that role. The Principal Executive must ordinarily own at least 15% of the franchisee entity, devote at least 20 hours per week to the business, possess decision-making authority, and complete initial training. X GOLF may waive the 15% ownership requirement, but the FDD does not make that waiver automatic.

Source: 2026 FDD, Items 10 and 15, pp. 23 and 36–37; Franchise Agreement §§2.3–2.6, pp. 7–8; Attachment 3 Guaranty.

The sequence below separates applicant actions, franchisor approvals, and third-party dependencies. A site discussion is not an award, a Site Selection Area is not a protected territory, training completion is not written opening approval, and a finished buildout is not permission to open.

Source: 2026 FDD, Items 5, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 15; Franchise Agreement §§2.1–2.5, 5.2 and 6.1–6.6; Summary Page; Location Acceptance Letter.

The four-to-twelve-month total is the franchisor’s stated typical period, not a promise that permitting, financing, construction, liquor licensing, equipment delivery, or hiring will fit a particular schedule. The chart compares disclosed day-based periods; each bar retains its own trigger and should not be added into a single total.

The franchisee—not X-Golf—must locate the premises. The FDD says the average unit is expected to occupy approximately 5,500 to 10,000 square feet in a retail environment with high vehicle or foot traffic, while site review may consider neighborhood, competition, demographics, traffic patterns, parking, building characteristics, size, and lease terms. These are review factors, not a guarantee that a location will be accepted or commercially successful.

Before construction or remodeling begins, the franchisee must obtain X-Golf’s plan approval and all permits or licenses required to start the work. X-Golf may require a locally licensed architect, and the franchisee must retain a qualified licensed general contractor. X-Golf may inspect progress, but its inspection or written approval does not certify compliance with architectural, engineering, accessibility, zoning, or other legal standards.

Source: 2026 FDD, Items 7, 8 and 11, pp. 17–25; Franchise Agreement §§6.1–6.3. Local licensing varies; use the SBA licenses and permits overview and the responsible state and local authorities to identify the actual approvals for the chosen site.

The Principal Executive and designated manager must complete the initial training program to X-Golf’s reasonable satisfaction at least four weeks before opening. Up to three people may attend without a training fee, while the franchisee pays travel and living expenses. The disclosed curriculum totals approximately 12 to 14 hours—four to five classroom hours and eight to nine on-the-job hours—and is generally scheduled about two months before opening, with classes anticipated three or four times per year.

The business must employ a full-time general manager who has completed the management program. X-Golf may also require designated personnel to attend third-party sales training at the franchisee’s expense. The franchisee remains solely responsible for recruiting, hiring, scheduling, supervision, compensation, and termination.

Source: 2026 FDD, Item 11, pp. 24–30; Franchise Agreement §§5.2, 6.4–6.5, 7.5 and 7.15. Food-service regulatory responsibilities should be verified with the applicable health authority; the FDA retail food protection resources provide federal background but do not replace local requirements.

Use the current FDD and final agreement set, not a sales summary, to verify the exact Site Selection Area, Summary Page opening date, Territory map, owner percentages, Principal Executive, lease deadline, extension language, simulator order schedule, and conditions to opening. State addenda may alter selected provisions, so confirm which addenda apply to the proposed state.

The FTC’s federal disclosure period is a pre-signing and pre-payment rule, not a complete opening timeline. Under 16 CFR Part 436, the prospect generally must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before signing a binding agreement or paying the franchisor or an affiliate in connection with the proposed sale. Confirm the actual trigger and any state-specific requirements with qualified counsel rather than calculating a signing date from this article.

Source: 16 CFR §436.2 and 2026 FDD cover page; 2026 FDD Item 20 and Exhibit H. See the FTC’s Franchise Rule Compliance Guide for official federal guidance.