National Golf Course Owners Association

How Today's Clubs Keep Up with the Times

WeWork, The Wing and other trendy membership-based spaces have helped spur change in the traditional club market. “We don’t say a club should abandon its history, but they can’t just live on their histories alone,” said Henry Wallmeyer, President & CEO of the National Club Association. While new concepts are emerging to meet the needs of the next generation of club members, clubs like Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Va., are evolving, too, creating new areas for children to engage the whole family. ClubCorp’s Brookhaven Country Club added a Drive Zone, which combines a driving range with a bar-like experience. Other clubs have reinvented its spaces to appeal to changing preferences, like Detroit Athletic Club, which heavily invested in its rooftop restaurant. Curbed.

City Clubs Shift Focus

City clubs are shifting from a business-centric to social- and family-centric models as member preferences change. Casual co-working spaces with 24-hour access and other perks are emerging at city clubs like Fitler Club in Philadelphia. A “complete” wellness program at Oxford Athletic Club in Wexford, Pa., has meshed physical and mental health into their offerings. Lifestyle clubs like Soho House have generated excitement among younger generations, providing an example of how city clubs can attract specific groups of people. Chambers.

Experimentation Key for Trend Followers

For hotels, homesharing, co-living and co-sharing are popular concepts, but Christoph Hoffman, co-founder of the lifestyle hotel brand 25hours believes hotels need to try different approaches or run the risk of appearing like everyone else. To cater to the local crowd, 25hours is experimenting with its Conciergerie platform that also gives locals access to services and programming like laundry cleaning, yoga, handyman work and much more. Hoffman is focused on emphasizing the human element for Conciergerie while also using a “playful robot” in one of his hotel lobbies. Skift.

Eerie Area Golf Courses Stay Nimble to Attract Players

Around Eerie County, N.Y., golf courses are adapting to engage golfers who learn the game when they are young, but play less as they get married and start families. Discount memberships to golfers 35 or younger, family memberships, more tee boxes to provide shorter courses, and golf simulators are several of the ways Eerie courses have adapted. GoErie.

How Much is Too Much for a Clubhouse?

Clubhouse sizes can range from 10,000-25,000-plus square feet with costs ranging from $300-700 per square foot, depending on their functionality and layout. Clubs that host special events like weddings and Bar-Mitzvahs may need more space than a destination for golfers. Outdoor spaces are economical and efficiently designed back-of-house areas can cut costs as well. To help identify these priorities, understand member desires and expectations. These can changes based on regional culture and climate. Golf Property Analysts.