The Future of Public Golf Memberships: Monthly Subscriptions That Actually Let You Play

Picture this.

You open Netflix. But instead of a big “Start Watching” button, you’re asked to fill out a form, wait for someone to get back to you, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll receive a brochure.

Sounds ridiculous, right?

That’s exactly how most public golf courses still handle memberships today. Forms. Delays. Phone calls. And the reality is, the next generation of golfers has no interest in that process. They expect convenience, instant access, and flexible pricing. Because that’s what they’re used to in every other part of life, whether it’s Netflix, ClassPass, or their gym.

It’s not a trend. It’s the standard. And it’s time public golf caught up.

What’s Broken

Right now, most daily-fee and municipal courses treat memberships like private clubs from 30 years ago:

• You can’t join online.
• You have to pay for the whole year.
• There’s no flexibility or trial period.
• Pricing is one-size-fits-all.
  
  The result? You lose potential long-term players before they ever become regulars.

What Subscription Golf Looks Like

This isn’t a discount program. It’s not a loyalty card.

A true golf subscription means:

• Monthly billing (cancel anytime or after a short minimum)
• Immediate access to play, not just perks
• Clear usage rules (like one round or one range bucket per day)
• Signup happens online or via an app, not through forms or phone calls
  
  It’s simple, flexible, and already working in the real world.

Real-World Examples That Prove It Works

Desert Aire Golf Course (California)
They offer unlimited 7-day golf for $185/month, or $160/month for seniors. The subscription renews automatically and starts the day you pay. No paperwork. No waiting.

Arcis Golf (Multiple States)
Arcis runs dozens of public courses and offers subscriptions from $65 to $99/month. Players can choose different tiers depending on their needs, from full access at multiple courses to unlimited range and twilight golf. You can join online instantly.

Glendoveer Golf Course (Oregon)
For $49/month, golfers get unlimited twilight play and range balls in the evening. It’s an affordable entry point for casual players who still want to feel like members.

Alamo Golf Club (Texas)
Previously offered unlimited range balls for $75/month. Simple, low-commitment, and popular with frequent practicers.

But Isn’t That Too Cheap?

It might sound low, until you think about the economics.

Not everyone who subscribes is playing 15 rounds a month. Some just want the convenience. Others love the feeling of “belonging.” What you get is a healthy mix: some play a lot, some play a little. That balance is what makes it sustainable.

And here's the key point: green fees are only part of the revenue story.

According to the National Golf Foundation, only 50–60% of a golfer’s on-site spend comes from green fees. The rest comes from food and beverage, the range, pro shop purchases, and other services.

So the more often they come to the course, even if they're not paying full-price green fees, the more money they spend overall.

That’s the real power of subscriptions. You’re not just selling a round. You’re building recurring revenue and customer lifetime value.

What This Could Look Like at Your Course

You don’t need to overthink it. Here’s a simple example of how you could structure this at your club:

Weekday Only – $159/month
Unlimited play Monday through Friday. Perfect for retirees, remote workers, or weekday warriors.
Twilight Access – $99/month
Unlimited play after 3pm. Keeps your late-day slots filled and adds value without clogging peak hours.
Full Access – $249 to $279/month
Seven-day access, any time. The premium plan for your most engaged players.
Practice Plan – $70/month
One bucket per day, or unlimited after 4pm. A great option for beginner golfers, juniors, and those who just love the range.

You control the rules. You decide how many to offer. You can even limit access to the first 50 or 100 members to generate scarcity and test demand.

You Already Have the Audience

Your tee sheet is full of names. Your database is full of emails. That’s your launch platform.

You don’t need to run ads or build a brand-new product. You just need to send one good campaign with a clear offer, and make sure the sign-up process is fast, easy, and mobile-friendly.

If you’re unsure, start small. Pick one tier, offer a limited number of spots, and see what happens.

And No, This Isn’t Hard to Build

You don’t need a custom app or expensive tech to get started. You can run this with tools you already have.

• Use your website or a simple landing page to explain the offer
• Set up monthly payments using Stripe, Square, or even PayPal
• Track members manually at check-in or through your existing tee sheet software
• Send reminders and updates through email or SMS
  
  That’s it.

You can go fully digital later, with auto-renewing subscriptions, in-app bookings, and real-time member verification, but the key is: you can start now, in a simple browser-based format.

Just launch, measure, and improve.

Ready to Explore This?

We help public and daily-fee golf courses design and launch subscription models that actually work. That includes pricing, tech setup, member experience, and go-to-market strategy, all in under 30 days.

If you're ready to shift from unpredictable rounds to predictable revenue, we’d love to talk.

Click https://growthgcc.com/contact and we’ll help you get started.