Welcome to the Experience in Golf Clubhouse Design podcast, where we uncover the fascinating world of golf clubhouse design and its profound influence on member lifestyles. Join us as we delve into the realms of architecture and interior design, unveiling the concepts and details that contribute to the success of a golf clubhouse and resort. Together, we'll explore the intricate aspects of golf proshop design, fitness facilities, and dining experiences, and discover how these elements shape the ultimate golfing experience. Today, we're talking about money—but not just any kind. We're exploring how private golf clubs are financially thriving post-pandemic, the strategic governance that keeps them on track, and how this financial health translates into exceptional member experiences and better clubhouse design decisions. We are diving into an article in Golf Inc. titled "What's driving P and L at private golf clubs?" by Chris Lewis. The pandemic dramatically transformed how we think about leisure, work, and community spaces. When COVID-19 restrictions limited traditional social venues, private golf clubs experienced something remarkable – a membership surge unlike anything seen in decades. Golf, being an outdoor activity where social distancing comes naturally, suddenly became not just a hobby but a sanctuary. Club membership waitlists grew exponentially, with many exclusive clubs reporting 200% to 300% increases in applications. This wasn't just people looking for a place to play golf; this was people seeking community during an isolating time. What we've witnessed is the emergence of the golf club as the quintessential "third place" – a concept sociologists use to describe important social environments beyond home and workplace. With remote work blurring the lines between professional and personal life, clubs have evolved from weekend retreats to daily hubs of activity. Members aren't just arriving for tee times anymore. They're coming earlier, staying later, and using the clubhouse in entirely new ways. This shift has profound implications for clubhouse design and functionality. The traditional model of a formal dining room and locker facilities no longer suffices. Today's clubs are seeing demand for all-day, multifunctional spaces. Morning coffee stations transition to afternoon work areas where members can take Zoom calls between rounds. Casual dining areas accommodate both business lunches and family dinners. Lounge spaces feature charging stations, comfortable seating for socializing, and flexible arrangements that adapt throughout the day. Perhaps most telling is how usage patterns have changed. Pre-pandemic, many clubs saw distinct usage peaks – weekend mornings for golf, Friday evenings for dinner. Today, the activity curve has flattened, with consistent usage throughout the week. Members are treating clubs as extensions of their living rooms and home offices, creating a steady flow of activity from sunrise to sunset. Architects and designers are responding by reimagining traditional spaces. The stuffy card room has evolved into multi-use lounges with comfortable seating arrangements that facilitate both conversation and laptop work. Dining areas feature a mix of traditional tables, high-tops, and bar seating to accommodate various social preferences. Outdoor spaces have become premium real estate, with expanded patios, fire pits, and covered areas allowing for year-round use. What's particularly interesting is how this shift affects the entire member experience. When people spend more time at the club, they expect more from it – better Wi-Fi, more varied food options, comfortable workspaces, and activities for family members of all ages. The clubhouse is no longer just a place to change shoes and grab a sandwich; it's become a lifestyle hub demanding thoughtful, flexible design solutions. The financial equation at private golf clubs has shifted dramatically in recent years, creating what industry veteran Peter Nanula aptly calls "a rising tide that lifts all boats." This tide begins with membership growth – the fundamental engine driving club prosperity. When membership rosters expand, the financial impact is both immediate and substantial. Every new member brings initiation fees that bolster capital reserves, plus ongoing dues that enhance operating budgets. But the real magic happens in the multiplier effect – more members generate increased spending across all revenue centers, from food and beverage to pro shop sales, guest fees, and programming. As Nanula explains in the Golf Inc. article, "More members means more dues revenue, which enables more services, better course conditions, enhanced amenities, and improved staff compensation." This creates a positive feedback loop where financial health enables superior experiences, which in turn attracts more members. For clubhouse design and operations, this financial uplift creates both opportunities and imperatives. With stronger balance sheets, clubs can invest in the facility upgrades that today's members expect. We're seeing renovation projects that might have been deferred for years suddenly moving forward – updated locker rooms, expanded casual dining venues, modernized fitness facilities, and family-friendly spaces. What's particularly interesting is how these design decisions are increasingly shaped by demographic considerations. The membership surge isn't just about quantity – it's bringing younger demographics into the club ecosystem. Millennials now represent the fastest-growing membership segment at many clubs, and they bring distinctly different expectations than previous generations. These younger members seek diversity in their club experience. Golf remains central, but it's just one component of what they value. They expect modern fitness facilities with the latest equipment and class offerings. They want casual dining options with contemporary menus and craft beverage programs. They're looking for programming that engages their entire family, from kids' activities to social events. From a design perspective, this requires a fundamentally different approach to space planning and amenities. The formal dining room that might have been the centerpiece of a clubhouse twenty years ago now shares importance with casual gathering spaces, outdoor dining areas, and multifunctional rooms that can host everything from wine tastings to children's birthday parties. Technology integration has become non-negotiable as well. Robust Wi-Fi throughout the property, mobile ordering capabilities, digital communications, and smart building systems aren't luxuries anymore – they're baseline expectations for the modern member. When clubs have healthy financials, they can invest in these digital transformations that significantly enhance the member experience. Perhaps most significant is how financial prosperity enables clubs to break free from reactive, short-term thinking. Clubs with strong membership demand and healthy reserves can develop comprehensive master plans that look five, ten, even twenty years ahead. They can sequence facility improvements strategically rather than addressing only the most urgent needs. This long-range planning leads to more cohesive, thoughtful design solutions – clubhouses that evolve purposefully rather than through a series of disconnected projects. When the membership engine is running smoothly, the entire club benefits from the ability to design for future needs rather than simply patching current problems. When we talk about governance in private golf clubs, we're really examining two distinct approaches – operational governance and strategic governance. While they sound similar, the difference between them can determine whether a club merely survives or genuinely thrives over the long term. Operational governance focuses on the day-to-day management – addressing immediate concerns, monitoring current budgets, and maintaining existing facilities. It's necessary, but limited in scope. Strategic governance, by contrast, takes the long view – creating vision, establishing multi-year plans, and making decisions today that will benefit the club for decades to come. The challenge many clubs face stems from their board structure. With directors typically rotating every few years, institutional knowledge can be lost, and the temptation to focus on short-term wins becomes strong. As Chris Davis points out in the Golf Inc. article, this rotation often creates a pattern where "each board wants to leave its mark," sometimes at the expense of consistent, long-term development. Clubs that excel in strategic governance typically share several best practices. First, they prioritize educating both board members and the general membership about capital funding models. When members understand the relationship between dues structures, capital reserves, and facility maintenance, they're more likely to support necessary investments rather than pushing for artificially low dues that ultimately compromise the club's future. Second, successful clubs create and maintain multi-year strategic plans that transcend individual board tenures. These plans become living documents that guide decision-making regardless of who sits on the board. They establish clear priorities for capital improvements, membership development, programming evolution, and financial targets that keep the club moving forward consistently. Third, these clubs often implement governance structures that ensure continuity. This might mean staggered board terms, formalized transition processes, or standing committees with longer-serving members who maintain the thread of institutional knowledge. Some clubs have even moved to professional boards that include outside experts in finance, hospitality, or real estate development alongside member representatives. The impact of strategic governance on clubhouse design cannot be overstated. When a club commits to a coherent long-term vision, design decisions become more intentional and integrated. Rather than a series of reactive renovations – updating a locker room one year, expanding the dining room the next – the club can develop a comprehensive master plan that addresses how spaces relate to each other and how the facility will evolve over time. This approach leads to clubhouses that feel purposeful rather than piecemeal. Architectural styles remain consistent. Traffic flows work harmoniously. Spaces transition logically from one to another. The entire property reflects a unified vision rather than the changing priorities of successive boards. Perhaps most importantly, strategic governance creates the stable foundation necessary for truly innovative design choices. When clubs operate from a position of financial security and long-range planning, they can explore forward-thinking concepts – flexible spaces that adapt to changing usage patterns, sustainable systems that reduce operating costs over time, or distinctive architectural elements that become signature features of the property. The most successful clubs view their facilities not as fixed assets but as evolving environments that should anticipate member needs rather than merely responding to them. This proactive approach requires the kind of consistent, visionary leadership that only strategic governance can provide. Today's progressive golf clubs are discovering that collective power yields exceptional results, especially when it comes to operational efficiency and technology adoption. One of the most significant trends reshaping club finances is the strategic use of group purchasing organizations, or GPOs. These collaborative networks allow independent clubs to leverage collective buying power typically reserved for large corporate entities. As Matthew Galvin notes in the Golf Inc. article, many clubs are joining forces through GPOs to secure substantial discounts on everything from food and beverage supplies to furniture, fixtures, and equipment. This approach can reduce operational expenses by 10-15% without sacrificing quality – a considerable sum when you're managing multimillion-dollar budgets. Beyond purchasing power, forward-thinking clubs are embracing sophisticated software solutions that streamline operations and provide crucial business intelligence. Platforms like Club Benchmarking allow management to compare their performance metrics against industry standards, identifying opportunities for efficiency and growth. Meanwhile, comprehensive club management systems from providers like Jonas and Clubessential integrate everything from member communications to inventory management, event planning, and financial reporting. The real magic happens when clubs combine these efficiency tools with strategic financial planning. Rather than pocketing the savings, visionary clubs redirect these funds into enhancing member experiences through thoughtful design improvements. This is where we see the direct connection between operational efficiency and physical transformation. Consider the case of one Midwestern club that used software analytics to identify underutilized dining spaces during certain times of day. By reconfiguring these areas into flexible zones that transform from casual breakfast spots to afternoon coworking spaces to evening social lounges, they maximized both space utility and member satisfaction. The project was funded entirely through operational savings achieved through smarter purchasing and inventory management. Another efficiency advantage comes through accelerated decision-making. When clubs utilize robust data systems, leadership can quickly evaluate the financial impact of proposed design changes or facility additions. Rather than months of committee deliberations with incomplete information, boards can make informed decisions based on accurate projections and real usage patterns captured through their management software. This speed-to-implementation advantage allows clubs to respond more nimbly to emerging member preferences. When survey data shows growing interest in wellness amenities, for instance, clubs with efficient systems can fast-track projects like meditation gardens, enhanced fitness centers, or spa renovations because they have both the financial resources and the decision-making infrastructure to move quickly. Technology integration itself has become a critical design consideration, with smart clubhouses incorporating everything from automated climate controls to sophisticated audio-visual systems. The cost savings from operational efficiencies often fund these technological upgrades, creating spaces that feel both timeless in design and thoroughly contemporary in functionality. Perhaps most importantly, clubs that master the efficiency equation gain the freedom to invest in design elements that truly differentiate their facilities – signature architectural features, premium materials, custom furnishings, or artistic installations that would otherwise stretch budgets beyond comfort. By running leaner operations through smart purchasing and technology, clubs can direct resources toward the distinctive touches that transform good clubhouses into extraordinary ones. Let's turn our attention to what truly makes a club successful in the long term – putting people at the center of every decision. The most financially sound clubs recognize that numbers on spreadsheets are merely a reflection of how well they're serving their members' needs and evolving lifestyles. Chris Laver and Dan McLaughlin make a compelling point in the article that regular, meaningful engagement with members is non-negotiable. The most successful club managers are those who make it a priority to interact with members weekly, not just through formal surveys, but through genuine conversations in the dining room, on the patio, or during events. This consistent feedback loop allows clubs to stay responsive to shifting preferences and address small concerns before they become major issues. This human-centered approach has profound implications for clubhouse design. The most successful clubs now incorporate spaces specifically engineered to facilitate these informal interactions. Think conversation-friendly seating areas strategically placed near high-traffic zones, indoor-outdoor transitional spaces where members naturally gather after rounds, and bar designs that encourage interaction between staff and members rather than creating barriers. One club renovated their traditional formal lobby into what they call a "living room" – complete with comfortable seating clusters, a coffee bar that transitions to cocktails in the afternoon, and subtle lighting that makes members want to linger. This space has become the heart of member-to-management interaction, where the general manager and staff regularly gather feedback that shapes everything from menu offerings to facility improvements. Perhaps the most significant shift we're seeing is the explosive growth of non-golf programming. Today's members, particularly those with families, are seeking a comprehensive lifestyle experience that extends far beyond the fairways. Clubs that once offered golf and perhaps tennis are now expected to provide diverse programming ranging from culinary events to youth activities, wellness offerings to intellectual enrichment. This programming evolution demands incredible flexibility in clubhouse design. Spaces must transform effortlessly from one function to another throughout the day. A morning yoga studio becomes an afternoon kids' art space and transitions to an evening wine tasting venue. Dining areas need to accommodate everything from casual post-round gatherings to formal business lunches to family celebrations. Family-friendly design elements have become particularly crucial as clubs compete for memberships from younger demographics with children. Kid-specific zones, teen lounges, family pool areas with thoughtful amenities, and multi-generational activity spaces are no longer nice-to-haves but essential components of successful clubs. Take the example of one East Coast club that transformed an underperforming formal dining room into a dynamic community space. During school breaks they host STEM camps and craft workshops for kids during the day, cooking classes for adults in the evening, and weekend family movie nights with casual dining options. The space was redesigned with sound absorption features, durable yet elegant finishes, modular furniture, and state-of-the-art technology infrastructure to support these diverse uses. This shift toward programmable, flexible spaces isn't just about accommodating today's needs – it's about future-proofing club facilities for generations to come. By creating environments that can adapt to changing member preferences without constant renovation, clubs build both financial sustainability and community loyalty simultaneously. The most successful clubs recognize that while golf may be their foundation, the complete lifestyle experience they create is what truly binds members to the community for the long term. When clubhouse design facilitates this inclusive, multigenerational approach, the financial benefits follow naturally through increased usage, higher retention, and a strengthened reputation that attracts new members. When we examine the most successful private clubs today, we're witnessing what Peter Nanula aptly calls a "virtuous cycle" in action. This self-reinforcing loop creates momentum that propels clubs toward long-term prosperity and excellence. Let me break down how this works. It begins with creating exceptional member experiences through thoughtful facilities, responsive service, and engaging programming. These positive experiences increase member satisfaction and generate enthusiastic word-of-mouth among their social circles. This natural advocacy attracts prospective members who recognize the unique value proposition. As membership rosters grow, the club enjoys increased dues revenue and operational income from food and beverage, events, and amenity usage. This financial uplift provides the resources to reinvest in facilities, staff development, and innovative programming. The reinvestment then elevates the member experience even further, completing and strengthening the cycle. What makes this cycle truly powerful is its compounding effect. Each improvement in member experience doesn't just maintain the status quo—it raises expectations and possibilities. A club that renovates its casual dining space might initially see more lunch traffic, but soon members begin to view the club as a remote work location, prompting demand for connectivity improvements and quiet meeting spaces. These enhancements attract professionals seeking a "third place" beyond home and office, bringing new membership demographics with fresh perspectives and needs. The most successful clubs recognize that interrupting this virtuous cycle can have rapid negative consequences. Deferring maintenance, postponing facility updates, or cutting corners on service quality doesn't simply pause progress—it can trigger a reverse cycle where diminished experiences lead to lower satisfaction, reduced usage, stagnant growth, and ultimately financial constraints that make recovery increasingly difficult. Today's clubs are finding that strategic reinvestment in their facilities—both the dramatic, visible projects like course renovations and the behind-the-scenes infrastructure improvements—signals to members that the club is forward-thinking and committed to long-term excellence. This perceived momentum itself becomes part of the member experience, creating confidence in the club's future and strengthening the community bonds that ultimately drive both social and financial success. The most powerful aspect of this virtuous cycle is that it allows clubs to transcend the traditional trade-off between financial discipline and member experience. Instead of viewing these as competing priorities, visionary clubs recognize them as complementary forces that, when properly aligned, create sustainable prosperity and a thriving club culture for generations to come. As we draw our discussion to a close today, it's clear that the relationship between financial strategy and exceptional member experiences isn't just correlation—it's causation. The most successful private golf clubs have discovered that sound fiscal management directly enables the thoughtful design and meaningful experiences that members value most. What we've explored today reveals a fundamental truth: clubs that understand this connection make better design decisions, create more engaging spaces, and ultimately deliver more value to their members. The post-pandemic surge has given clubs unprecedented opportunities to reinvest in their facilities with purpose and vision rather than merely reacting to immediate needs. Whether through strategic governance that enables long-term planning, leveraging technology for operational efficiency, or creating innovative non-golf programming, today's thriving clubs are building the foundation for tomorrow's success. They recognize that each financial decision ultimately manifests in the physical environment members experience daily. Thank you for joining us on the Experience in Golf Clubhouse Design podcast. If you found value in today's discussion, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and share with colleagues in the industry. Join us next time as we continue exploring the fascinating intersection of design, experience, and community in the world of private golf clubs.