Full warning here, I know it's still August, however, for many of us Fall (and the pending schedule) is coming FAST.
Fall doesn’t just bring cooler mornings and colorful leaves — it brings a complete shift in your members’ priorities. After Labor Day, the pace of life changes. Kids head back to school, youth sports seasons kick off, and family calendars fill up faster than a Member-Guest weekend. Suddenly, those wide-open summer afternoons on the course are replaced with soccer practices, cross-country meets, and homework battles.
And then there’s football. Whether it’s Friday night lights, a packed Saturday tailgate, or a Sunday on the couch, the game has a way of commanding attention. For many members, those weekends that used to mean multiple rounds of golf now belong to their favorite teams and traditions.
For a Membership professional, this means one thing: you’re competing for a smaller slice of your members’ free time. But it also means opportunity. By leaning into the season and giving members a reason to choose the club — or at least keep it on their schedule — you can turn the fall slowdown into a season of connection, community, and retention.
C'mon, grab your coffee, and let's Grow Golf.
-Rich
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Keeping Your Members in Engaged This Fall
While each course, club, and driving range is different, I wanted to put together a few ideas that I've seen, and some I wish my club did, to make me come to the club more often during a busy Fall season.
Here’s a few of my favorite ideas to keep your members engaged through the Fall:
1. Post-Summer Drop-Off in Usage → Keep Them Coming Back
Problem: Members play less as schedules tighten and temps drop.
Solution: Add short-format golf options (3-, 6-, or 9-hole events) in the late afternoon, paired with social elements like fire pit happy hours or tasting nights.
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GG POV: I love a good Nine & Dine. It's the right amount of time to meet new members and socialize, while still keeping it under 4 hours.
2. Event Fatigue → Reignite Excitement
Problem: After a packed summer, members may skip “just another” golf event.
Solution: Go for novelty. Night golf, flannel scrambles, chili cook-offs. Seasonal twists break through the fatigue. It can't be the same event with just new decor.
3. Renewal Anxiety → Build Renewal Momentum Now
Problem: Fall leads right into renewal season, and disengaged members are at higher risk of leaving.
Solution: Personal touch goes a long way. Handwritten notes, member-spotlight posts on social, and thank-you calls from leadership before renewal notices go out.
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GG POV: Speaking to a few Membership Directors in this community, this seems to be the "norm" but I can't stress how important this. Who doesn't love a handwritten note?
4. Weather-Related Cancellations → Have a Plan B
Problem: Rain and early sunsets can wipe out events.
Solution: Always have an indoor contingency — trivia nights, simulator tournaments, or watch parties — so the date stays on the calendar even if the golf doesn’t.
5. Budget Constraints → Make More with Less
Problem: Year-end budgets can be tight.
Solution: Partner with local businesses (breweries, bakeries, boutiques) for sponsorships or in-kind contributions to boost event quality without tapping into your budget.
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GG POV: Many of you know this, but if you don't realize it, uour membership and customers are a HIGH VALUE customer segment for many local businesses. When necessary, leverage them to gain partnerships and trade. Ensure the partner is reputable and aligns with your club's brand and membership.
6. Competing Seasonal Activities → Create “Can’t-Miss” Social Anchors
Problem: Youth sports and football take priority for many members.
Solution: Lean into it — host college football tailgates at the club, NFL Sunday watch parties, or family-friendly fall festivals that combine golf with seasonal fun.
7. Off-Season Prep Pressure → Use Fall as Your Launchpad
Problem: You’re juggling current engagement and 2026 planning.
Solution: Use fall events as a testing ground for new formats. The winners get a prime spot on next year’s calendar.
The Bottom Line
Fall isn’t the end of the golf season — it’s the start of your retention season. Keep members active, connected, and feeling valued now, and the Fall slow down may not be so slow.
Have questions? Want me to deep-dive on a topic you're curious about? Let me know. Hit reply, and let's talk.
See you next week,
