Golf Memberships Are Broken: Here's Why and 5 Ideas to Fix Them

I wonder how much longer golf memberships will exist in their current form?

At the club closest to me, the most popular category of membership costs $3,380 per year. You also need to pay a joining fee of $2,000.

This provides access to the course 7 days a week, and the ability to play in weekly club competitions. You also get to book a tee time 1 week in advance, access to reciprocal clubs in other states, and a "new member gift".

Let's set aside the significant and controversial "joining fee."

Is membership worth it?

If it's about playing in competitions, yes. If it's about playing golf, no.

It costs $90 to play 18 holes as a non-member. This means you can play 38 times a year or once every 9-10 days to break even.

That's a lot of golf. Recreational golfers 65+ average 36 rounds a year, but everyone else isn't getting close. The maths doesn't add up.

Competition access is the main benefit of membership. But there's only a small number of people who want to play in competitions - especially on weekdays!

Golf membership has a unique downside - you're effectively locked into playing at the same club (to maximise your investment), but one of the benefits of golf is experiencing different courses.

It's hard to grow membership when the value proposition is this narrow.

Here are five ideas to get more people playing golf and bring in sustainable revenue to clubs:

1. Ditch annual membership. Sell golf credits instead.

Buy 20 rounds for $1,500 (vs $1,800 as a casual). You can use these credits to play in competitions, or even buy drinks at the bar. This provides members with more flexibility, and the club gets guaranteed revenue upfront. This isn't a new idea, but it's slow to get going.

2. Add a gym and make it part of membership.

If members don't need separate gym fees on top of golf membership, that's real value.

3. Offer family packages.

Two adults + two kids for $4,000 total. Include junior coaching and family social events. Make golf bring families together, not take Mum or Dad away for 5 hours on Sunday.

4. Sell bundled experiences

For example:

• "Sunday Social" package: 12 rounds + post-game meals + social events

• "Skills Builder" package: 20 rounds + monthly lessons + equipment fitting

• "Corporate Entertainer" package: 6 rounds + private dining + guest privileges

5. Turn clubhouses into co-working spaces.

Members who don't need to be in the office can have a common area to work and experience community with other members. Remote workers pay monthly fees, stay for lunch, often book afternoon rounds. Suddenly the club becomes a lifestyle hub, not just a golf course.

The current model works for the 1% who play 3 times a week and love club competitions. These changes work for everyone else.