The Future of Golf Business
Golf is experiencing a massive transformation, and investors are taking notice.
Matthew Early, from Old Tom Capital, recently shared his insights on the biggest trends shaping the industry—and what golf clubs, entrepreneurs, and investors should be watching.
From the rise of off-course golf entertainment to game-changing technology, here are the key takeaways from his conversation.
1. The Rise of the “Golf-Curious” Consumer
The traditional 18-hole golfer isn’t the only golfer anymore.
Thanks to Topgolf, PopStroke, Puttshack, and golf simulators, the game has doubled its audience in just a decade.
📌 What’s changed?
- New formats make golf more accessible. You don’t need clubs, experience, or even a traditional course to enjoy the game.
- Casual golf is exploding. Some players will transition to traditional golf, but even if they don’t—it’s still a win for the industry.
- More ways to play = more golfers. Like how Pickleball didn’t replace Tennis, off-course golf is simply expanding the audience.
💡 Why it matters for golf clubs:
Golf clubs need to embrace this shift. Offering short courses, fun events, and tech-driven experiences will attract a new wave of golfers who might not commit to 18 holes but still want to play.
2. Technology & Golf Course Innovation Are Accelerating
Golf tech is rapidly advancing, and clubs that don’t adapt will be left behind.
Some of the biggest tech advancements shaping golf today include:
✅ Better golf course management software (like Golfmanager)
✅ AI-powered agronomy & water management tools
✅ Frictionless tee-time booking & club operations
📌 One example: TerraRad
This startup is using moisture-monitoring tools to help golf courses optimize turf management, leading to better playing conditions and lower costs.
💡 Why it matters for golf clubs:
If your club is still running operations with outdated software, manual processes, and slow booking experiences, it’s time to modernize.
Tech isn’t just about efficiency—it directly impacts profitability.
3. Golf Travel & The Municipal Course Shortage
Golf travel is booming, but there’s a supply problem—especially in municipal golf.
📌 The issue?
- Golf travel is growing as more people look for accessible golf trips—not just luxury resorts.
- New golfers want short, fun, and affordable courses.
- But most new developments are private, not municipal.
💡 Why it matters for golf clubs:
Public and municipal courses that adapt to new golfer demand (shorter rounds, flexible pricing, better facilities) will see major growth.
4. Advice for Golf Startups: Validate Before You Scale
Matthew Early emphasized that golf is an incredible industry for startups—but founders must validate their ideas first.
📌 Key advice for new golf companies:
- Start small, test the market. Before raising money, prove demand.
- Get feedback early. If it’s a consumer product, test it with golfers. If it’s B2B, talk to course operators.
- Not every golf startup needs funding. About 70-80% of golf companies don’t need outside investment yet—they need revenue and proof of concept.
💡 Why it matters for golf clubs:
Course operators should be paying attention to new innovations—from smarter booking platforms to golf tech that reduces costs. The clubs that embrace change will thrive.
5. The Future of Golf Investment
Old Tom Capital exclusively invests in golf because they see huge growth potential.
📌 What’s driving their investment strategy?
- Companies that start in golf but can expand beyond golf.
- Technology that makes courses more efficient and profitable.
- Platforms that modernize how golf is played, booked, and experienced.
They also run a private syndicate, the Old Tom Venture Club, where investors and golf industry experts help validate new golf startups.
The Takeaway: Golf Is Evolving—Are You Keeping Up?
🚀 Golf clubs that adapt will win. Those that stick to old models will struggle.
🚀 Tech-driven solutions are changing the game. Whether it’s better club management, agronomy, or booking systems, the future is digital.
🚀 The golf-curious consumer is here to stay. This new wave of players isn’t replacing traditional golf—it’s growing the entire industry.
Golf isn’t dying—it’s booming.
The only question is: Will your club embrace the future or get left behind?
What is Growth Golf & Country Club?
For years, golf clubs have faced the same challenge: how do courses with empty tee sheets still survive?
The reality is, many didn’t. Before the pandemic, countless golf clubs shut down—not because the game was dying, but because they weren’t maximizing their potential. The opportunity was always there, but the right strategies weren’t.
That’s why Growth Golf & Country Club was created—the first Growth Agency built exclusively for golf clubs.
✅ More direct bookings – No middlemen, just maximized revenue.
✅ Smarter pricing strategies – Optimize rates for peak profitability.
✅ AI-driven automation – Less manual work, more efficiency.
✅ Proven marketing strategies – Attract more guest players effortlessly.
Today, the tools to drive growth exist—AI, digital marketing, data analytics, and automation—but leveraging them effectively has never been more complex. Only top-tier clubs have access to specialists in marketing, pricing, web, and AI, and even then, the best talent rarely wants to work at a golf club.
That’s where Growth G&CC comes in. The same advanced strategies used by the top 1% of clubs or best businesses around the world are now available to clubs of all sizes.
📌 Partner with Growth G&CC – $4,900/Month
Stop guessing and start growing. With a dedicated team of marketing, AI, data, and conversion specialists, the burden is lifted—turning golf clubs into revenue-generating machines, all for less than the cost of hiring one full-time employee.
🚀 Now is the time to take control of your club’s growth. Get in Touch with Our Team: https://growthgcc.com/contact