It started with a simple idea, that creating a community to share golf industry insights could grow faster if we shared ideas more openly.
Fifty newsletters later, this mighty newsletter has become a weekly pulse on how courses, brands, and pros are leading and modernizing the game.
To every reader, partner, and golf industry professional who’s been part of this journey — thank you. Very appreciative to the team at Tee Commerce, the AGM, MNML, and soon to be announced partner, Live Tourney, for seeing the value in Grow Golf.
This week, I wanted to celebrate by distilling 50 lessons from 50 issues — the insights, ideas, and reminders that have shaped Grow Golf so far.
As always, grab your coffee, and let's Grow Golf.
-Rich
50 Lessons in 50 Newsletters
Over the past 50 issues, Grow Golf has explored the modern golf business. From how we tell our stories to how we lead our teams will always be a focal point for me. To mark this milestone, I’ve broken these lessons into five pillars that capture what I’ve learned from courses, pros, and brands along the way: Marketing & Storytelling, Merchandising & eCommerce, Membership & Events, Partnerships & Sponsorships, and Leadership & Growth. Together, they represent the playbook for how the golf industry is evolving — and how we’ll ALL keep growing from here.
Let's go.
Marketing & Storytelling
- Your members aren’t buying golf, they’re buying belonging.
- The best content doesn’t sell; it tells a story people want to share.
- Local stories outperform stock visuals every time.
- Simplicity scales. A clear brand message beats clever wordplay.
- Authenticity isn’t a strategy, it’s the baseline.
- Email is still the most valuable media channel you own.
- One behind-the-scenes post a week can build more trust than any paid ad.
- Reels and Tik Toks are the new billboards (short, emotional, repeatable).
- Tone matters. Speak like a coach, not a corporation.
- Your social strategy should feel like hosting a conversation, not shouting a promo.
Merchandising & eCommerce
- Your shop isn’t just a retail space, it’s your course’s personality.
- Custom gear sells because it carries membership pride and exclusivity.
- Tee Commerce showed that online pro shops are no longer optional.
- Consistent packaging turns a small order into a big impression.
- Data beats guessing. Start tracking what sells and why.
- Limited drops outperform big seasonal buys — less risk, more excitement.
- Add signage that answers one question: “What’s new?”
- Digital gift cards should be live on every club website before the holidays.
- You don’t need a new logo every year. You need a brand story that lasts.
- Merchandising is storytelling you can wear.
Membership & Events
- Members renew because of community, not convenience.
- A monthly “member spotlight” post does more than any direct mailer.
- Social events convert fence-sitters into advocates.
- Use your tournament calendar as a retention tool, not just a revenue one.
- “Bring-a-Friend Days” create more conversions than most ad spends.
- Family-friendly programming grows the next generation of golfers.
- Track event ROI beyond dollars (look at participation, engagement, and feedback).
- Every event needs one great photo moment.
- Great events are remembered by how they end, so finish strong!
- A strong member email list is your most underutilized retention channel.
Partnerships & Sponsorships
- The best partnerships start with shared purpose, not shared logos.
- MNML Golf taught us: modern brands win by being mission-driven.
- Tee Commerce reminded us: value grows when it’s built into the experience.
- For sponsors, access > impressions. Give them stories to be part of.
- Ask your vendors how you can help them grow, not just what discount you get.
- Micro-partnerships can outperform big sponsorships when done creatively.
- Affiliate links are just the beginning — create co-branded campaigns.
- Celebrate your partners publicly. Recognition breeds retention.
- Always measure partnership ROI in more than dollars — look at engagement and loyalty.
- The next generation of sponsorships will look like collaborations, not contracts.
Leadership & Growth
- Your team doesn’t need more rules — they need more reasons.
- Culture is built in small moments, not staff meetings.
- Great leaders don’t have all the answers — they create environments where ideas can surface.
- Measure success by what your members say when you’re not in the room.
- If you’re not learning, you’re losing.
- The best growth comes from curiosity, not certainty.
- Consistency builds credibility. Publish, post, repeat.
- Leadership in golf isn’t about tradition, it’s about stewardship.
- The brands that will define the next decade are those that make golf more inclusive, more digital, and more human.
- Growth is a mindset — and golf, at its best, is a game built for growth.
The Bottom Line
Looking back on these lessons, one thing stands out: the modern golf operation isn’t defined by budgets or technology — it’s defined by people who care enough to keep trying new things.
- Every course director experimenting with a new content format.
- Every head pro testing online retail for the first time.
- Every GM investing in community over convenience.
That’s how golf grows.
If this newsletter has helped you find one new idea, connection, or spark, then it’s done its job.
Fifty issues down, and we’re just getting started.
If you’ve read, shared, or sent feedback — thank you.
If you’ve been featured or inspired a story — thank you.
And if you’re new here, well then, welcome!
Here’s to the next 50.
As always, have questions or feedback? Want to connect on LinkedIn? Reply to this email and I'll get back to you. In the meantime, let's Grow Golf.
