Why Golf Clubs Should Adopt a Subscription Model – And How to Do It
Think about the services people use daily. Netflix, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Prime, and YouTube Premium—all these platforms have one thing in common: a simple, flexible subscription model that provides access without massive upfront costs.
Now, imagine applying the same concept to golf memberships. Instead of outdated, rigid annual fees, golfers could subscribe to a tiered model that fits their lifestyle, just like their favorite streaming service. This is the future of golf club memberships.
The question is: Why hasn’t the golf industry embraced it yet?
The Problem: Traditional Golf Memberships Are Outdated
For years, golf memberships have followed the same outdated structure:
❌ Large upfront costs – Many traditional memberships require thousands of dollars upfront, making them inaccessible for younger golfers.
❌ Limited flexibility – Fixed pricing means you either go all-in or remain a casual pay-as-you-play golfer.
❌ No personalization – Golfers get the same benefits, even if they don’t need or use them.
This system works for retired, high-income golfers, but for Millennials and Gen Z—who thrive on flexibility and digital convenience—this model feels prehistoric.
The Solution: A Subscription-Based Golf Membership
Instead of a single expensive membership, clubs can offer three flexible subscription tiers:
🏌️♂️ PAR Plan – $XXX/month
- Play only on weekdays & off-peak hours.
- 15% discount on pro shop purchases.
- 30% discount on range balls.
- 30% discount on F&B
- 50% discount on green fees outside of subscription access.
- One free guest pass per month.
- Access to members-only events once per quarter.
🐥 BIRDIE Plan – $X,XXX/month
- Play any day, but restricted to afternoon/evening tee times.
- 15% discount on pro shop purchases.
- 50% discount on range balls.
- 50% discount on F&B
- 50% discount on green fees outside of subscription access.
- Priority booking up to 7 days in advance.
- Two free guest pass per month.
🦅 EAGLE Plan – $XX,XXX/month
- Unlimited golf, any time.
- Priority booking up to 7 days in advance.
- 30% discount on pro shop purchases.
- Unlimited range balls.
- Free cart included every round.
- F&B included (up to $500 per month; any overages automatically charged).
- Access to VIP Eagle Lounge.
- 5 guest passes per month (no unlimited guest access to prevent abuse).
- Preferred parking or free valet (if available).
- Exclusive Eagle-level events & experiences.
This model would allow golfers to choose a plan that fits their budget and lifestyle, just like they do with their favorite digital services.
Why This Works – Real-World Examples
✅ Netflix & Spotify: Users love tiered pricing models because they pay for what they use. The same logic applies to golf—casual players won’t pay full membership prices, but they’ll subscribe if it’s affordable and flexible.
✅ Gym Memberships: Gyms have mastered multi-tiered pricing, where users can choose basic plans or premium access. Why should golf be any different?
✅ Amazon Prime & YouTube Premium: These platforms offer added perks like discounts, exclusive content, and priority access, which can easily be replicated in golf.
✅ Golf Entertainment Venues: Places like Topgolf and indoor simulators already operate on a subscription-style model, offering monthly passes and VIP tiers.
The demand is there. It’s time for traditional golf clubs to catch up.
How to Implement a Golf Subscription Model
📌 1. Build a Digital Subscription Platform
- Golfers should be able to subscribe via a website or app, just like they do for Netflix.
- Memberships should be auto-renewing and easy to manage.
- Golfers should be able to subscribe via a website or app, just like they do for Netflix.
📌 2. Integrate Flexible Access Rules
- Peak vs. off-peak pricing ensures all tiers have value.
- Priority booking for higher-tier members keeps demand balanced.
- Peak vs. off-peak pricing ensures all tiers have value.
📌 3. Offer Monthly or Annual Payment Options
- Allow golfers to pay monthly, quarterly, or annually, just like streaming services.
- No long-term contracts—flexibility attracts younger players.
- Allow golfers to pay monthly, quarterly, or annually, just like streaming services.
📌 4. Leverage Perks & Discounts
- Add-ons like guest passes, cart rentals, or dining discounts keep golfers engaged.
- Exclusive events & VIP perks make higher tiers desirable.
- Add-ons like guest passes, cart rentals, or dining discounts keep golfers engaged.
📌 5. Create a Marketing Strategy for Subscription Golf
- Use social media, email marketing, and influencer partnerships to spread the word.
- Offer a free trial period or first-month discount to encourage sign-ups.
- Use social media, email marketing, and influencer partnerships to spread the word.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Golf Memberships is Subscription-Based
Younger golfers buy into subscription models everywhere else—why not for golf?
If clubs want to attract new players, increase retention, and boost revenue, they must modernize memberships with a flexible, digital-first approach.
At Growth Golf & Country Club, we believe the future of golf isn’t just about playing more—it’s about making the game more accessible, affordable, adaptable and fun.
🚀 Are you ready to rethink golf memberships for the modern era?
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 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