Pro Golf vs Soccer Post
Pro Golf vs Soccer Post: Pro Golf costs $84K to $400K to open; Soccer Post costs $201K to $397K. Pro Golf has 25 units, Soccer Post has 13. SBA loan history: Pro Golf = 49 loans (49.0% default); Soccer Post = 15 loans (6.7% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Pro Golf vs Soccer Post: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Pro Golf requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($84K vs $201K for Soccer Post), a 58% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $25K for Pro Golf versus $30K for Soccer Post, Pro Golf has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Pro Golf operates 25 units to Soccer Post's 13. Pro Golf has been operating 64 years (founded 1962) versus 53 for Soccer Post (founded 1973), a 11-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Pro Golf has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 49 7(a) approvals compared with 15 for Soccer Post. Pro Golf's peak SBA year was 2004 (12 loans); Soccer Post's peak was 1997 (3 loans). Pro Golf's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Pro Golf has the most SBA funded units in FL, with 8. Soccer Post leads in TX, with 3. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Pro Golf deals is $269K vs $120K for Soccer Post, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 49.0% for Pro Golf and 6.7% for Soccer Post, Soccer Post has the cleaner SBA loss record by 42.3 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 23 (Fair) for Pro Golf and 49 (Fair) for Soccer Post, giving Soccer Post the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 23/100 | 49/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | N/A |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 49 | 15 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 49.0% | 6.7% |
Peer Tier | established | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $84K to $400K | $201K to $397K |
Franchise Fee | $25K | $30K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 3% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 25 | 13 |
Franchised Units | 25 | 13 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1962 | 1973 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | TAMPA, FL | Eatontown, NJ |
Category | Sporting Goods Stores | Sporting Goods Stores |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Pro Golf or Soccer Post?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Pro Golf: $84K starting · Soccer Post: $201K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Pro Golf
Pro Golf: 49 SBA loans · Soccer Post: 15 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Soccer Post
Pro Golf: 49.0% · Soccer Post: 6.7%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Pro Golf: 25 units · Soccer Post: 13 units
More lender financing options
Pro Golf
Pro Golf: 30 unique lenders · Soccer Post: 11 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Pro Golf vs Soccer Post: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Pro Golf and Soccer Post is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $84K to $400K.
Pro Golf has 49 SBA loans on record and Soccer Post has 15. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Pro Golf vs Soccer Post, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Pro Golf or Soccer Post?
How much does a Pro Golf franchise cost compared to Soccer Post?
Can I finance Pro Golf or Soccer Post with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Pro Golf or Soccer Post?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman