Good gosh, some of these lists…
My list is pretty simple, but probably tough to do:
- A good golf course that you want to play again, ideally with some smaller loops for extending or renewing bets or just to get in a few holes in an hour or 45 minutes or whatever.
- Good people, good staff. This may be the most important part.
- Simple amenities that meet basic needs and not much more.
The latter, KISS, and play to the audience. If it’s mostly members, a practice facility, a good bar and grill (maybe not even finer dining, keep things less formal), and a cottage or two for occasional guests, along with a simple locker room and pro shop. If it’s a destination place, more good lodging close, and less of the locker room/shower stuff. Less of the practice facility stuff (though a big putting green like Thistle Dhu or Streamsong by Black is a great way to have fun with a beverage or two and a friend or ten).
The most important is the people, the next is the golf course, and the amenities are third, but on that, I’m a fan of keeping it simple. Don’t over-spend on that stuff. Keep things authentic. People spend times in all sorts of crappy places if they enjoy the people they’re with, so you don’t have to make the “best” of everything if you have great people and a good or great course.