Skip links

Category: Club Director

Are Your Initiation Fees Too Low?

A marker of the value proposition in a club is the ratio of “Initiation Fee to Annual Dues.” Clubs with a relatively high ratio deliver a value proposition in which incoming members are willing to invest the equivalent of many years dues on the front

Governance = Private Club Culture: Creating Strong Club Culture

“CULTURE EATS STRATEGY for breakfast,” said management guru Peter Drucker. For clubs, culture is governance, and private club strategy—no matter how good and well-conceived—will be a victim to poor governance. According to Fred Laughlin, nonprofit governance expert and an associate at Global Golf Advisors (GGA),

Are you Properly Classifying your Caddie?

A common and reoccurring problem that private clubs encounter is the proper classification of caddies and other club workers. Clubs often classify caddies as independent contractors when in actuality the relationship between the club and the caddie should be that of employer/employee. Since a worker

Gross Margin

WHEN ASKED about the gross margin of their own enterprise, most successful business owners can give you an exact number, usually without any hesitation. Business owners keep close track of their gross margin because they recognize it as a critical indicator of financial health and

What information should the board require of the club manager?

Truly effective boards focus on three key areas: strategy, finance and governance. Boardroom excellence is defined by focus and allocation of resources, such as time, energy and talent. Club members who choose to be servant leaders for their clubs are paid nothing, devote considerable time

How is governance different with a management company?

While governance is not traditionally viewed to be a proficiency of most club management companies, their expertise in club finances and strategy can be valuable. Management companies generally do not take over the management of private clubs without a full, explicit and documented construct in

How can a club deal with a lengthy resignation list?

While pre-recessionary conditions were causing a spike in initiation fees, clubs were creating structures that would pay deposits back. Unfortunately, once the economy shifted, resignation lists grew and people became disgruntled over the long wait for refunds. Plummeting membership sales began to force clubs to

X