The Changing Face of Golf Clubhouse Design

The golf clubhouse today is so much more than just the '19th hole'.

The Clubhouse is an entity all of its own, and has the potential for the Club to engage with a wider audience, and ultimately, new customers; as well as golf members and their guests, there is the opportunity to reach a whole array of other visitors, from daytime and evening diners, to event attendees, as well as other businesses wanting alternative workplace and/or meeting/training space, away from the office.

Flexibility is Key

“Many (golf clubs) are looking to become flexible in their offering, reflecting the blurring of lines generally across all sectors.”​

Vonnie Hope, Founder and Design Director of Hope & Co. explains: “In recent years we have seen a changing trend in golf clubs. Many are looking to become flexible in their offering, reflecting the blurring of lines generally across all sectors.

There is a lot of change; golfing venues are becoming multi-faceted businesses competing to attract non-members, as well as the capturing passing and local trade, and they have recognised the need to improve their appeal. With bars, dining areas, function rooms and meeting spaces, the clubhouse has become an asset, generating revenue from events such as weddings/receptions, business networking and social meetings".

For golf club businesses, reviewing their real estate offering is timely now more than ever. Dated facilities requiring ongoing maintenance, demands for a wider range of amenities, and the challenges of attracting new members are driving clubs to transform or risk getting left behind. Every property has unique conditions and membership needs that must be considered before determining the best way to proceed.

Design with Ease

Whether minimal or extensive, once the idea of carrying out a refurbishment to the clubhouse facilities has been approved at Board/Management level, business priorities defined, budgets discussed, and a schedule pencilled in, putting together the brief comes next. This can be created in-house, or with the guidence of a professional, such as a project manager, architect or interior designer.

If the brief could also be informed by additional factors (ie user-profiles, both current and future, the position of local competition, latest trends in the sector, etc) this would make the process all the more robust. Exploring what members would like is also important, and it may be useful to carry out an in-house survey. This can be as formal as a club-wide questionnnaire being made available to all, or informal discussions with the Captain(s) and/or regular members to gauge and feedback preferences.

There are many considerations in deciding how best to proceed and engaging an experienced professional to help guide the process is worthwhile. An architect and/or interior designer with a background in refurbishments specifically for clubs brings a recognition of the unique operational hurdles that can arise.

Great Teamwork

However, done well, a renovation can be highly successful and cost-effective. An experienced team can help you explore renovating in stages, allowing services to remain in operation while the works progress. This process is known as 'phasing', and it allows members uninterrupted, albeit somewhat reduced, access to the amenities they expect.

The key is to find the correct balance for keeping vital components running without causing negative impacts or counteracting costs.

Engaging professionals who understand a club’s needs and priorities, and who can work collaboratively to help prepare and deliver a well-conceived plan, will greatly reduce the disturbances and overall expenses. This is a key first step toward a successful refurbishment that will sustain and reinforce your club’s membership for years to come.