This week, golf marketing shines brightest when clubs transform ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences, proving that creativity, storytelling, and unexpected fun are key fundamentals for connecting with members and audiences.
💯 Keeping it 100. Three Things We Loved This Week
1) Adaptive Storytelling Through Tournament Recap
Arizona Golf Association (Arizona, US): In the world of golf event marketing, the Arizona Golf Association proves that a powerful story doesn't require complex production. Their 2024 Arizona Adaptive Open recap video demonstrates how thoughtful videography and intentional storytelling can elevate small tournament coverage.
Why? The video showcases technical and emotional sophistication through simple, professional techniques. By using a stable tripod shot, they immediately elevate the production quality, making the content feel more polished and intentional. The clean graphics and well-crafted captions transform what could be a basic tournament recap into a compelling narrative that highlights the athletes' experiences and achievements.
What makes this content special is its approach to interviewing. By asking meaningful questions and capturing genuine moments, they turn a standard recap into a human-centered story. This method not only celebrates the athletes but also provides a replicable template for other clubs and organizations looking to create engaging tournament content.
The video works brilliantly because it respects the athletes, tells their stories, and provides a clean, professional format that other golf organizations can easily emulate. It's a perfect example of simple yet impactful storytelling that any club can copy.
GG POV: The former Golf Channel Producer in me really enjoyed the quality of video, photography, and use of nat sound on the various posts about this tournament too!
Check out an example of the recap: Click Here
2) Holiday Innovation at the Practice Range
Grey Oaks Country Club (Naples, FL): Grey Oaks Country Club transformed their practice range into a holiday miniature golf course, proving that creativity has to be key to your membership retention strategy.
Why? This approach goes far beyond traditional holiday programming. By reimagining a typically serious space—the practice range—as a fun, family-friendly activity zone, they've created an experience that does more than entertain. They're building community, encouraging family participation, and showing members that the club is about more than just serious golf.
The brilliance lies in the unexpected. Families don't typically associate a golf club's practice range with holiday fun, which makes this pivot so refreshing. It demonstrates the club's flexibility, shows they value member experience over rigid traditions, and provides a unique value proposition that sets them apart from competitors.
This type of programming does more than fill an afternoon—it creates memories. Potential and current members see a club that thinks creatively about member engagement, a club that understands modern families want more than just a place to play golf. Not to mention - there's lights to play at night and a bar ready for those looking to celebrate.
GG POV: Thanks to Bob Usher, PGA for posting this on LinkedIn, and letting me share and spotlight this member activation. Great stuff, Bob (and team!).
Check out Grey Oaks' Video: Click Here
3) Seasonal Storytelling with a Twist
Cape Fear Country Club (Wilmington, NC): When most golf clubs are sending generic holiday graphics, Cape Fear Country Club took Friday the 13th and Christmas and blended them into marketing content that grabbed my attention.
Why? In a saturated market of holiday promotions, their video stands out by embracing the unexpected. By combining the superstitious energy of Friday the 13th (added with the home video effect filter) with holiday cheer, they've created a content piece that's impossible to ignore. This isn't just marketing—it's small piece of entertainment.
The video works because it breaks pattern interruption. Most holiday marketing feels formulaic and forgettable. Cape Fear's approach is playful, surprising, and demonstrates a personality that goes beyond typical club communication. I'm now reminded of their Countdown to Christmas sale in a much more engaging way than a smiple graphic.
GG POV: In a world of marketing noise, the clubs that win are the ones brave enough to have a little fun (
echo'd by Madison Holmes in our Community Spotlight this week). Cape Fear didn't just promote a sale—they created a eye-catching moment that brought some fun to a mundae Christmas sale post. Kudos, Jeremy for doing alittle acting during a busy time of year!
Check Out the Video: Click Here
That's a wrap for this week.
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As always, thanks for being part of Grow Golf.
See you on Tuesday.
-Rich
