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

Most public golf memberships still work as if the internet never happened. You fill out a form. Someone gets back to you when they have time. You’re asked to commit for a full year, often without really knowing how much you’ll play or whether it even fits your routine.

For a lot of golfers, especially younger ones, that process is a dead end. Not because they don’t want to play more golf, but because the friction is too high. They’re used to instant access, clear pricing, and flexibility. That’s not a trend anymore. That’s just how people expect things to work.

Public golf hasn’t fully caught up to that reality

Today, most daily-fee and municipal courses still treat memberships like private clubs did decades ago. Joining can’t be done online. Payment is annual and upfront. There’s little room to try before committing, and pricing is usually one-size-fits-all. The result is predictable. A lot of potential regulars never convert into anything long-term. They keep playing occasionally, but they never really become members in any meaningful sense.

A subscription model changes that dynamic

This isn’t about discounts or punch cards. A real subscription is simple. Golfers pay monthly. Access starts immediately. Rules are clear and easy to understand. Cancelling doesn’t require a conversation. The barrier to entry is low, but the relationship is ongoing.

What’s interesting is that this already works in practice. Several public courses and operators have been running subscription-style models quietly and successfully for years. Some offer unlimited weekday play. Others focus on twilight access or range usage. Some bundle access across multiple courses. In almost every case, the common thread is simplicity. You pay, you play, and you know exactly what you’re getting.

The pricing often looks low at first glance, until you look at how golfers actually behave

Not everyone who subscribes plays constantly. Some play often. Others play occasionally but value the convenience and the feeling of belonging. That mix matters. It smooths demand and creates predictable monthly revenue. More importantly, it increases frequency. And frequency drives total spend.

Green fees are only part of the picture. A large share of on-site revenue comes from food and beverage, the range, the pro shop, and other services. When golfers come to the course more often, even for shorter or cheaper rounds, total revenue usually goes up. Subscriptions aren’t about maximizing the price of a single round. They’re about maximizing lifetime value.

For courses considering this, the barrier to entry is lower than most assume

You don’t need a custom app or a complex technical setup to start. A clear offer, a simple landing page, and a basic monthly payment system are often enough. Check-in can be handled the same way it already is. Communication can run through existing email or SMS tools. The point isn’t perfection on day one. It’s learning what works and adjusting.

Most courses already have the audience for this. The tee sheet is full of names. The email list already exists. A subscription doesn’t require building something from scratch. It requires packaging access in a way that matches how people actually want to buy today.

For public golf, subscriptions aren’t a radical idea. They’re a practical response to how behavior has changed. They won’t replace green fees, and they don’t need to. But for the right courses, with the right structure, they can become a meaningful part of a more stable and sustainable business.

Teemu
Founder
Growth Golf & Country Club
Miami, FL, USA