These guys may be onto something

[Andrew Hardy]

I caught this article on Twitter today. Back to bare bones, and it's all about golf. Is THIS the future of golf?

http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/index.ssf/2014/12/saginaw_countys_maple_hill_gol.html

[Jason Thurman]

The future of golf will look much like the present. There will be many different business models with all different price points, types of amenities, numbers of employees, quality of conditioning, levels of privacy, and quality of architecture.

Just like in the present, the future will be full of course operators who believe their ideas are far more original than they really are. Also just like in the present, the future will have some courses that are successful, some that scrape by, and some that struggle.

[BHoover]

The future of golf will look much like the present. There will be many different business models with all different price points, types of amenities, numbers of employees, quality of conditioning, levels of privacy, and quality of architecture.

Just like in the present, the future will be full of course operators who believe their ideas are far more original than they really are. Also just like in the present, the future will have some courses that are successful, some that scrape by, and some that struggle.

This pretty much sums it up. The future will be like the present, which is like the past.

[Blake Conant]

Last time i spoke with Mike Young about Long Shadow he had a similar vision.  Clubhouse/pro shop was a trailer, bare bones and stripped down to just golf. 

He'd have some good input on this topic I imagine. 

[Paul Gray]

The future of golf will look much like the present. There will be many different business models with all different price points, types of amenities, numbers of employees, quality of conditioning, levels of privacy, and quality of architecture.

Just like in the present, the future will be full of course operators who believe their ideas are far more original than they really are. Also just like in the present, the future will have some courses that are successful, some that scrape by, and some that struggle.

+1

[Mike_Young]

Last time i spoke with Mike Young about Long Shadow he had a similar vision.  Clubhouse/pro shop was a trailer, bare bones and stripped down to just golf. 

He'd have some good input on this topic I imagine. 

Blake,
I hope to reopen it in late Summer.  Meanwhile I did have an architect develop a concept of a 30ft by 40ft "paver" section with firepit and canvas awning with teepee type opening.  The 40 ft section will be next to a 38 ft refurbished Airstream as a proshop, the right side will be a 28ft refurbished Airstream as restrooms and the left side will be a 28 ft refurbished Airstream as a bar and grill( the entire side opens upward).  So we have a u-shaped structure around a patio nd that's it...
But I'm not sure we will one day see nothing but a 5x5 ft building with ipads checking in.  We have gone to ipads at another place and it works great..
Merry Christmas

[Tom_Doak]

But I'm not sure we will one day see nothing but a 5x5 ft building with ipads checking in.  We have gone to ipads at another place and it works great..

Heck that is pretty much all The Old Course at St. Andrews has needed from the beginning of time ... that and a back office somewhere handling the reservations.

[Mike_Young]

But I'm not sure we will one day see nothing but a 5x5 ft building with ipads checking in.  We have gone to ipads at another place and it works great..

Heck that is pretty much all The Old Course at St. Andrews has needed from the beginning of time ... that and a back office somewhere handling the reservations.

+1

[RJ_Daley]

I guess their Web site hasn't caught up with the new plan,  except for stated member fees.

http://maplehillgolfclub.net

The idea is worth a try.  I wonder if members can still rent  the place out if they hire their own staff/caterer for events?

The aerial looks like it is a pretty nice country course.