Episode 092
Welcome to the Experience in Golf Clubhouse Design podcast, where we uncover the fascinating world of golf clubhouse design and its profound influence on member lifestyles.
Today, we will be discussing an article titled “5 ways to increase play” by Michelle Weyenberg from Golf Inc. Magazine, published in May/June 2025 issue. This article provides some ideas to consider to increase play at golf courses and keeping the tee sheets full.
Let’s dive in. Weyenberg writes…
A round of golf in 75 minutes. Not bad. And for today’s younger golfer or first-timer, that may be very appealing. How about a mobile pizza oven that drives around the golf course, offering handmade pizzas made to order? Sign me up. Or a fun game of night golf under the lights? Or how about hitting some balls at a Toptracer Range? Check and check. These are examples of how golf course operators are amping up their offerings to increase play. Golfers are getting younger and cooler, and that requires strategic thinking about how to attract them to your course.
First up Flexible and Shorter formats… 9-hole leagues and twilight rounds cater to beginners and busy professionals…Par-3 tournaments are fun, fast and less intimidating for newer players.
French Lick Resort in Indiana recently added Sand Creek, a short course with nine holes ranging from 40 to 90 yards. Golfers can expect to complete a round there in about 75 minutes. The course will be open year-round, weather permitting, with a food truck on site. Eventually, it will be lighted for night play. Music will be piped in, and there will be designated family hours. Dave Harner, director of golf at the resort, called it a straightforward design that will be fun for everyone. “Beginners, families, corporate groups, whether they all play golf or not, they’ll be able to play this course,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun, and I think when people get out there and play, they’ll get hooked on the game.” Course superintendent Russ Apple spearheaded the construction, while the resort’s entire golf team assisted in creating Sand Creek. Its layout borrows features from the resort’s two championship courses, the Peter Dye Course and the Donald Ross Course. Harner said Sand Creek has miniature versions of the Dye volcano bunkers and some of the Ross greens contours. “The rock formation that we use around the lakes at Dye we’re using around the water retention area here,” Harner said. “You’ll see a few things that are common to both golf courses.” Chuck Franz, the resort’s CEO, said the new course feeds a current demand while also reviving a piece of French Lick’s past. A short course existed at the resort in the early 1900s and now, decades later, what’s old is new again.
The second idea to consider is Tech-driven engagement which includes… Dynamic pricing uses software to adjust tee-time prices based on demand… Mobile apps for tee time reservations, GPS, scoring and food ordering… Loyalty programs that use apps or websites to award points and rewards for repeated play.
The third idea listed is Target new audiences… This includes… Ladies’ nights, clinics for kids, and family golf days help attract non-traditional or emerging player groups… Corporate leagues or team-building packages…Beginner-friendly events such as scrambles, glow golf and footgolf.
Fourth on the list is Off-course play. Which includes.. A Toptracer range or golf simulator lounge for year-round entertainment and Mini golf and putting courses attract families and non-golfers who might convert later.
Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe, Arizonia, officially opened its Toptracer Range last November. It has 25 covered bays with Toptracer technology and monitors, as well as 10 uncovered hitting bays. The lighted Toptracer Range is open from 8 a.m. to midnight. Hitting bays can be rented by the hour with unlimited golf balls, or buckets of practice balls are available for purchase for shorter sessions. A range host is on hand to help guests download the free Toptracer Range app, explain gaming options and answer questions. The laid-back vibe is suited to players of all abilities, said Jake Hoselton, co-founder of Grass Clippings. In March 2023, the Tempe City Council approved Grass Clippings’ plan to overhaul and operate Rolling Hills Golf Course. Grass Clippings executed a long-term lease with the city of Tempe and took over the property in 2023 with Troon immediately assuming management of daily operations. Scottsdale-based WestHawk Capital partnered with Grass Clippings to lead a $15 million round of equity capitalization to finance renovation of the facility, including the installation of lights and the full F&B and amenity package currently under development. The first fully lighted 18-hole course in Arizona, Grass Clippings opened for night play in December 2023. LED lights illuminate the golf course, which plays as a par-54 course at night and as an executive-length course with par-3s and par-4s during the day.
The last point the article suggests is Creative F&B which includes.. Pop-up bars or drink carts with themes make the course feel like a fun outing and Food truck nights or live music after twilight rounds turn golf into a social evening. Alpine Country Club in Highland, Utah, sought to create an amenity that would elevate the on-course experience for its members. It came up with the Pizza Cart, a mobile pizza oven that drives around the golf course, offering handmade pizzas made to order.
Our goal was to create an innovative amenity that adds value to the club, creating memorable moments and satisfying both culinary and social desires,” said Reagan Rice, director of membership and marketing. The design of the Pizza Cart was guided by simplicity, efficiency and functionality, Rice said. The foundation is a Cushman utility cart. A custom wooden panel securely mounts a Gozney pizza oven in the bed of the cart. On days when it is serving on the course, it surpasses the club’s traditional beverage cart in daily sales, Rice added. “In short, the Pizza Cart is more than just a financial success,” she said. “It’s a symbol of the creativity and member-focused innovation that drives our club forward.
Okay, so, uhm, that was the article, but I think it brings up some really interesting points for clubhouse design. We often focus on the aesthetics, uhm, the flow of the space, but how does the clubhouse support these initiatives to increase play? If you’re adding a Toptracer range, do you have adequate space for people to relax and grab a bite after their session? If you’re promoting family events, does the clubhouse offer kid-friendly options or activities? It’s all about designing the clubhouse to be a central hub that enhances the overall golf experience.
Thank you for tuning in to Experience in Golf Clubhouse Design, where we delved into the fascinating world of architecture, interior design, and impact on members lifestyle. We hope you’ve gained valuable insights into the key elements that contribute to a successful golf clubhouse and resort experience. Remember to subscribe and join us for our next episode!
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