Stephen Ross, Michael Jordan, Jim Crane, Bill Foley and other team owners have built or bought private golf clubs. Here is what they own, why they do it, and what club leaders can learn.Stephen Ross, Michael Jordan, Jim Crane, Bill Foley and Bob McNair built or bought private golf clubs. Here's what their clubs teach every club leader.
8 min read1,447 member-owned clubs added $7.66 billion in assets between fiscal 2019 and 2024. Net assets, not liabilities, carried most of it. What the filings show, and what…1,447 clubs added $7.66B in assets from FY2019 to FY2024, mostly in net assets. What club balance sheets mean for private club capital planning in 2027.
12 min readMost clubhouse carpet cannot tell you where it came from. Five questions to put to any supplier before you specify, with one New Zealand wool maker as the worked example.Planning a clubhouse renovation? Five questions to put to any carpet supplier, from fibre origin to sustainability claims, with one wool maker's answers.
6 min readThe Biltmore Championship brings the PGA Tour to a private club for the first time in Asheville in 80 years. Here’s what The Cliffs at Walnut Cove’s moment in the spotlight teaches every private club about turning visibility into…Private club brand equity doesn't happen by accident. See how Quail Hollow, Southern Hills & Liberty National turned Tour events into lasting value.
8 min readThe 12 most iconic private golf clubs opening for spring season — history, rankings, and what makes each one legendary.From Augusta to Cypress Point, the 12 most iconic private golf clubs marking the start of the 2026 spring season — heritage, beauty, and elite access.
11 min readHow the best golf clubs turn every round into a relationship-building opportunity that drives membership.Best golf clubs leverage CRM post-round to build loyalty. One club saw a 30% increase in repeat play. Turn tee times into lasting member connections.
11 min readThe White House putting green has been a presidential retreat since 1954, when golf-loving President Eisenhower installed it outside the Oval Office.Discover the fascinating history of the White House putting green, from Eisenhower's 1954 installation to modern presidential golf traditions.
2 min readFrom Eisenhower’s White House putting green to Obama’s 300+ rounds, discover how US presidents used golf for diplomacy, relaxation, and leadership.Discover which US presidents played golf, from Eisenhower's 800+ rounds to Obama's Hawaiian games. Explore presidential golf history now!
3 min readWhether a private club is worth it depends on usage, life stage, and fit; here is a cost-per-use framework and a trial checklist to decide.Is a private club worth the money? Use a cost-per-use framework, see the hidden value and red flags, and follow a trial checklist before you join.
9 min readHow reciprocal privileges at private clubs work, what you can use, the etiquette that keeps the door open, and why club leaders should treat them as a sales and…How private club reciprocal privileges work: letters of introduction, what you can use, etiquette, and what to ask before joining. Includes a guide for club leaders.
9 min readWhat a country club membership really costs: initiation, dues, minimums, assessments, and the under-40 tier most clubs don’t advertise.What a country club membership really costs: initiation, dues, minimums, assessments, plus the young-professional tier most clubs don't advertise. Sourced data and questions to ask.
9 min readThe summer sailing calendar isn’t programming — at the most commercially sophisticated waterfront clubs, it’s the primary revenue architecture of the…How summer yacht club revenue peaks: regatta events, F&B, sponsorships, and junior programs explained.
7 min readTwo clubs can quote the same six-figure fee and offer completely different deals. A plain-English guide to equity vs. non-equity memberships…Understand private club initiation fees, annual dues, and capital assessments before joining your next exclusive club.
8 min readSeptember asks three things of you at once: launch the fall season, defend next year’s budget, and close the membership year. Using GGA Partners, NGCOA and Knight Frank data, here’s how to build a September plan that serves all…September club marketing ideas that work double duty: budget prep, dues strategy, and a Q4 membership push — backed by GGA and NGCOA data.
7 min readJuly delivers more U.S. golf rounds than any other month — and a built-in convergence of holiday energy, peak engagement, and referral momentum that the best-run clubs…Private Club Marketing Ideas for July with event, referral, junior, dining, and fall membership strategies for peak season.
8 min readWe sat down with Zack Bates to talk about how Private Club Marketing started, what he has learned working with 200+ clubs, and where the industry is headed.Zack Bates built Private Club Marketing from a kitchen table in 2009 into the industry's leading consultancy. In this interview, he shares how he's worked with 200+ clubs, generated $100M+ in membership revenue, and what's next for the private club industry.
11 min readWe audited 41 private club websites and scored them across SEO, conversion, mobile, and performance. The average score was 79 out of 100. Fifty-six…A website audit revealed that 56% of clubs lack a membership link. Improve your online presence and increase inquiries for your club today!
9 min readFrom waitlist psychology to referral activation, the clubs capturing the most ground this spring are running a three-phase system — not opening the…Spring is yacht-club prime time. The three-phase marketing system top waterfront clubs use — waitlist psychology, referral activation, member offers.
6 min readThe Longevity Investors Conference in Gstaad puts real capital behind the trends your members already chase at hotel spas and standalone clinics. Here’s what the money signals for your club — and which clubs are already acting on…Longevity club spa trends are reshaping private clubs — see what Boca West, Silverado, and others are building before members ask for it.
9 min readAs Ikon and Epic fall pricing approaches, prospects are already comparing mega-pass access against what a private ski club membership cost actually buys. From Palisades…Private ski club membership cost vs. an Ikon or Epic pass: what capped-roster clubs like Windham and Palisades Tahoe actually charge, and why it's worth it.
7 min readThe Veolia Pickleball Nationals, Premier Padel’s Paris Major, and the US Open final all land within two weeks of each other this September. Here’s what the capacity and…Is a padel club membership worth the investment? Capacity data, capital trends, and real club case studies inside.
6 min readEvery club is being asked to take a position on racquet sports. Here’s how to decide the right court mix — accounting for space, noise, construction…Padel vs pickleball for private clubs: compare costs, noise, space, demand, and programming before investing in new courts.
10 min readSummer is not incidental to winery revenue — for the wineries managing it deliberately, it is the most productive acquisition and retention window of…Build a stronger wine club membership strategy with seasonal releases, allocation models, and retention-focused experiences.
7 min readPrivate clubs reported $1.45 billion in initiation fees and capital contributions on fiscal 2024 Form 990s. In a constant 864-club panel, fee income grew 64.8% in five years, outpacing revenue.Country club initiation fees, read from Form 990 line 10a: $1.45B across 1,123 clubs in FY2024, up 64.8% since 2019 in a constant 864-club panel.
11 min readOctober is America’s #1 wedding month and December corporate dates fill by August. Why your club’s fall private-events calendar is decided in July.July decides your fall calendar. Learn the private club events sales strategy that fills October weddings and December parties before fall.
9 min readJunior programming is the most underpriced acquisition channel in the club industry. The under-45 family joins for the kids. Here is how to price it.Junior golf programming private clubs use to boost retention: demand data, a 3-level framework, and how 3 member-owned clubs do it.
9 min readA cultural history of the automobiles that have always belonged — and the ones that always will.Valet-ready cars like the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow define country club status. Discover how luxury vehicles shaped club culture—status redefined.
4 min readOn hotel partnerships, growth markets, $40M art programs, and why the most important private club opening of 2026 is a masterclass in brand strategy.Zero Bond opens at Wynn Las Vegas in 2026 — a masterclass in hotel partnerships, growth markets, and $40M art programs reshaping private clubs.
10 min readHow clubs are turning anonymous website visitors into qualified membership leads with identity resolution.Clubs can convert 98% of anonymous visitors into leads using identity resolution. Implement these strategies for tangible member growth now.
13 min readThe most forward-thinking private clubs are deploying AI member services to handle bookings, guest coordination, and personalized outreach around the clock, freeing…AI-powered member services offer 24/7 booking and personalized outreach, driving member satisfaction at leading clubs like those using conversational AI.
15 min readUse data-driven club analytics to predict member behavior, optimize operations, and increase revenue. Proven strategies for private club decision-makers.Use data-driven club analytics to predict member behavior, optimize operations, and increase revenue. Proven strategies for private club decision-makers.
5 min readPrivate clubs are embracing blockchain technology and digital currency to revolutionize membership management and payments. 63% plan blockchain…Discover how blockchain private clubs are transforming membership management and payments. 63% of clubs investing in blockchain technology. Learn more today!
3 min readEvery private club and hotel’s success starts with friendly guest interactions. Your staff answers the phone enthusiastically and professionally…Hospitality technology boosts guest service at clubs like Medinah Country Club. Discover how to improve personalization and drive member loyalty today.
4 min readInstagram Collab posts let reciprocal private clubs share one post, one set of comments and two audiences. What the data shows, how to choose a partner of similar size, and five formats that work.Collab posts outperform standard Instagram posts, and the smaller account gains most. How reciprocal private clubs should pick partners and what to post.
7 min readMost private clubs are proposer-required, not invitation-only, and many will help you meet members even if you know no one. Here is how the process works and how to…No member contacts? Most private clubs need a proposer, not an invitation. How the joining process works, what to say in your inquiry, and the etiquette.
7 min readPrivate clubs are still booming in 2026, but the peak has passed. NGCOA data shows 58% of private clubs grew membership, while GGA Partners finds waitlists have stopped…Are private clubs booming? 58% grew membership and 53% are full or waitlisted, but waitlists have stopped lengthening. What the 2026 numbers say.
8 min readPrivate club membership rosters are secret, but board filings are not. We read the Form 990 of every club that files one — 2,272 clubs, 30,996 names…
6 min readRolling Stone looks at how private clubs are booking arena-level artists into rooms of a few hundred people. PCM founder Zack Bates weighs in. Here’s…
3 min readInstagram Collab posts let reciprocal private clubs share one post, one set of comments and two audiences. What the data shows, how to choose a…Collab posts outperform standard Instagram posts, and the smaller account gains most. How reciprocal private clubs should pick partners and what to post.
7 min readWhether a private club is worth it depends on usage, life stage, and fit; here is a cost-per-use framework and a trial checklist to decide.Is a private club worth the money? Use a cost-per-use framework, see the hidden value and red flags, and follow a trial checklist before you join.
9 min readHow reciprocal privileges at private clubs work, what you can use, the etiquette that keeps the door open, and why club leaders should treat them as…How private club reciprocal privileges work: letters of introduction, what you can use, etiquette, and what to ask before joining. Includes a guide for club leaders.
9 min readMost private clubs are proposer-required, not invitation-only, and many will help you meet members even if you know no one. Here is how the process…No member contacts? Most private clubs need a proposer, not an invitation. How the joining process works, what to say in your inquiry, and the etiquette.
7 min readWhat a country club membership really costs: initiation, dues, minimums, assessments, and the under-40 tier most clubs don’t advertise.What a country club membership really costs: initiation, dues, minimums, assessments, plus the young-professional tier most clubs don't advertise. Sourced data and questions to ask.
9 min readPrivate clubs reported $1.45 billion in initiation fees and capital contributions on fiscal 2024 Form 990s. In a constant 864-club panel, fee income…Country club initiation fees, read from Form 990 line 10a: $1.45B across 1,123 clubs in FY2024, up 64.8% since 2019 in a constant 864-club panel.
11 min readPrivate clubs are still booming in 2026, but the peak has passed. NGCOA data shows 58% of private clubs grew membership, while GGA Partners finds…Are private clubs booming? 58% grew membership and 53% are full or waitlisted, but waitlists have stopped lengthening. What the 2026 numbers say.
8 min readCrush season is a six-week window most clubs waste on a single generic wine dinner. Here’s the four-event playbook — kickoff, harvest dinner…Learn how to build a club harvest dinner wine program that turns crush season into your club's most profitable quarter.
7 min readKevin Durant, Rich Kleiman and Joe Gebbia open a 4,723-square-foot room on East Third Street on September 10 and call it a club. The word is doing…What the private club vs restaurant fight over Austin Sports Club reveals about F&B minimums, guest data, and younger members.
7 min readOctober decides next year’s budget, this fall’s dues letter, and whether Q4 closes with momentum. Here’s how to run all three calendars at once, with…The best october club marketing ideas run three calendars at once: budget, dues letter, and Q4 revenue. Here's how top clubs do it.
7 min readThe Private Club Journal · Weekly
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Social & City Clubs
Opening Night: The Met, Gala Season and How City Clubs Own the Cultural Calendar
The Met’s Opening Night Gala on September 22 kicked off fall gala season nationwide — and city clubs, from the Metropolitan Opera Club to the Duquesne Club, show how to turn that momentum into a year-round membership engine…City club events fall right in gala season's sweet spot. Here's how to turn opening nights into year-round membership growth.
7 min readThe NYC Private Club Music Guide
Where New York’s private clubs host live music and DJ nights, what membership costs, and how non-members can get in. Every entry sourced.
5 min readFashion Week Overflow: How City Clubs Win the Eight Nights of NYFW
From September 10–15, New York Fashion Week floods Manhattan with the ultra-wealthy clients every club wants. Here’s the data-backed playbook — and the real clubs, from…How private clubs in NYC can turn Fashion Week traffic into real membership pipeline — with data on who's actually walking through the door.
8 min readSelling Belonging, Not Amenities: What Social and City Clubs Actually Sell
9 min readThe City-Club Comeback: How Urban Social Clubs Became the Hottest Membership Category in America
10 min readYacht Club Culture Change: Maritime Tradition Meets Modern
6 min readSelling Belonging, Not Amenities: What Social and City Clubs Actually Sell
9 min readThe City-Club Comeback: How Urban Social Clubs Became the Hottest Membership Category in America
10 min readYacht Club Culture Change: Maritime Tradition Meets Modern
6 min readCity Clubs Redefining Work-Life Integration Post-Remote
7 min readBeyond the Velvet Rope: 10 Membership Marketing Trends Reshaping Private City & Social Clubs in 2026
The private club industry is experiencing a renaissance with new marketing strategies that prioritize creativity over wealth and transform spaces…Discover 10 membership marketing trends reshaping private city and social clubs in 2026. From creativity-based vetting to lifestyle ecosystems. Expert insights.
9 min read6 Emerging U.S. Markets for Private Members Club Growth
Private members clubs are expanding beyond traditional markets into emerging cities like Austin, Miami, and Nashville, driven by wealth migration and…Discover the top 6 U.S. markets driving private members clubs growth in 2025. From Austin to Miami, explore opportunities for club developers.
4 min readWhat Makes a Successful Members Club Work in New York City?
4 min readDefining Exclusivity in Private Members Clubs
4 min readWhat is the Most Exclusive Private Members Club?
3 min readMore Social & City Clubs →