How many lux does a driving range need?
DIN EN 12193 specifies values for the tee area of a driving range. They correspond to lighting class III – training and recreational sport:
| Area | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Tee, horizontal | at least 100 lx | ball, mat and club clearly visible |
| Tee, uniformity | 0.8 | equally good light at every tee position |
| Tee, vertical | at least 50 lx | ball and body clearly visible during the swing |
| Outfield, vertical | for example 10 lx at 1 m height up to 150 m | follow the ball flight and landing point |
Lighting the tee alone is not enough: otherwise the ball disappears into the dark after a few metres. Meaningful practice needs light along the ball flight – so floodlights shine from behind or from the side far into the outfield. How far depends on the length of the range and the facility's ambitions.
How a driving range is lit
- Driving bays and tee positions: even light with little glare so that players see the ball on the ground and during the swing.
- Outfield: floodlights behind or beside the tee positions that direct the light low and far into the field – without shining into players' faces.
- Target flags and greens in the field: lit specifically so that players can judge distances.
- Paths, ball dispenser and car park: separate, dimmed lighting so that nobody has to walk in the dark.
For the outfield, a good choice is our LED floodlight Series 12 with 20° or 40° optics, steplessly adjustable tilt, IP66 and IK10. It is dimmable via 0–10 V – so the light can be adapted to use.
ConsultationLet's talk about your project.Lighting calculation and quotation from the manufacturer.Putting green and chipping green
The standard gives no separate values for practice greens. When putting, though, you need to see subtle slopes, the line and the hole – so we design practice greens with even, glare-free, low-angle light that reveals the texture of the green. For chipping areas the same applies as for the outfield: the ball must stay visible in flight and on landing.
Consideration for neighbours and nature
Golf facilities are often in the countryside, sometimes at the edge of woodland or near homes. Whether and how brightly a driving range can be lit therefore also depends on the surroundings:
- Precise optics direct the light onto the range and avoid light upwards and to the side.
- Warm white light around 3,000 K attracts fewer insects than cool white, according to current knowledge.
- Timer control and dimming: Light only during opening hours and only as bright as needed.
- Lighting calculation including surroundings: We calculate not only the range but also how much light reaches neighbouring properties and woodland edges.
Protecting insects and other animals from artificial light is also gaining legal weight – Germany's Federal Nature Conservation Act already contains a provision on this in § 41a, with details to be set by an ordinance. If the facility is in or next to a protected area, clarify the lighting early with the nature conservation authority and the municipality. How floodlighting works in a sensitive setting is shown by our hockey projects at KTHC Rot-Weiss in Cologne in a landscape protection area and at CHTC in Krefeld.
What lighting the facility delivers
- More practice time: The range stays usable after sunset – especially in autumn and winter.
- New offers: Evening lessons, taster sessions or corporate events can be moved into the evening.
- Safety: lit paths, car park and clubhouse access.
- Little maintenance: LED floodlights instead of site floodlights that need regular replacement.
Everything on lighting golf facilities – from the range to the car park – is on our page Golf facility lighting. Values for other sports are shown in the overview Sports lighting lux levels.
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How many lux does a driving range need?
To DIN EN 12193, at least 100 lx horizontal and 50 lx vertical at the tee, with a uniformity of 0.8. So that players can see the ball flight, the outfield is also lit – for example with 10 lx vertical at 1 m height up to 150 m away.
How do you light a putting green?
Evenly and glare-free, with low-angle light that reveals slopes and the texture of the green. There is no separate standard for this; it is designed with a lighting calculation.
Can a driving range be lit at night?
That depends on location, the development plan and the surroundings. Near homes, woodland or protected areas, the lighting should be agreed early with the municipality and the nature conservation authority. Precise optics, warm white light and timer control keep the impact low.
Which floodlights are suitable for a driving range?
LED floodlights with precise optics that direct the light low and far into the outfield, for example our Series 12 floodlight with 20° or 40° optics, IP66 and IK10, dimmable via 0–10 V.
Can the driving range be lit only at certain times?
Yes. With timer control and dimming, the lights are only on during opening hours and only as bright as needed – for example full light at occupied tee positions and reduced light on paths.
