With millions on the line and expectations higher than ever, clubs need architects who bring vision, experience and the ability to navigate every detail.
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Building or renovating a clubhouse is a big investment. Done well, a project can elevate the member experience for decades. Done poorly, it can leave a club with cost overruns, delays and facilities that fall short of expectations.
With construction costs and member expectations both on the rise, industry experts stress the importance of choosing the right architect and design team.
Vision and master planning
The process should start with a clear vision, translated into a master plan that guides design, budget and communication.
Peter Cafaro, senior vice president of JBD JGA Design & Architecture, stresses the importance of alignment between members and leadership.
“The ultimate member experience will be affected by whether or not the end product reflects what they wanted from their club,” he said. “It doesn’t come down to carpet color or material choices. It’s whether the renovation globally reflects what members think is important.”
Because most member-owned clubs require formal approval, the connection between leadership, consultants and members must be clear from the outset.
“There’s going to be a challenge getting approval if there’s not a direct connection between the members’ goals and what the consultant is saying,” Cafaro said.
Howard Kuo of Kuo Diedrich Chi Architects agrees.
“New clubhouses have the luxury of all new programming and style, while existing clubs have greater constraints,” he said. “Both require precise use of space to blend membership needs with the facilities.”
Kuo has been involved in a wide range of projects, including a $26 million four-campus plan at The Landings in Savannah, Georgia, and the lotus flower–inspired clubhouse at Yanqi Lake Golf Club in Beijing, China. For him, the guiding principle is always the same: Every club is unique, so every clubhouse should be too.
The right experience matters
Clubs should look for firms with a proven record in private club projects.
“Clubs should find a firm that has experience in this sector and focuses on the club industry,” Kuo said.
Randy Meyers, director of golf at Foothills Golf Course and Meadows Golf Club near Denver, echoes the importance of experience.
Meyers said their local architect not only had prior design experience with the club, but also knew the community and courses well — a familiarity that proved invaluable when the district moved forward with a new clubhouse after pandemic-driven demand boosted rounds from 120,000 to 140,000 almost overnight.
The old 10,000-square-foot building could not handle the surge, but the new 24,000-square-foot facility will triple seating capacity and add significant amenities.
Planning for rising costs
Even the best-laid plans must contend with financial realities. Sticker shock is one of the most common challenges in clubhouse construction, and experts say flexibility is essential.
Cafaro emphasizes the importance of realistic budgeting. Renovations require higher contingencies, Cafaro said, because unexpected conditions inevitably emerge once work begins.
He recommends splitting contingencies into two categories: an owner’s contingency for unexpected conditions and a construction contingency for scope creep. He also stresses budgeting for cost escalation.
“When clubs are planning renovations, they’re not putting a shovel in the ground tomorrow; it may be a year or longer,” Cafaro said. “We’ve been doing 3% to 4% per year for escalation. It’s better to allocate too much budget than not enough.”
Meyers saw this firsthand at Foothills.
“The initial cost estimate was $6.8 million. The final cost was $18 million,” he said. “Transparent communication throughout the process helped maintain member support despite the increase.”
Cafaro cautions against cutting corners.
“Clubs seem to never have the money to do it right but always seem to have the money to do it twice,” he said. “Take the time and do it right the first time.”
Organized process, transparent communication
Geoff Collins, director of development at The Club at Ravenna in Littleton, Colorado, oversaw a $41 million clubhouse and fitness center project.
“We had a clear vision and an organized process,” Collins said. “Anybody who is doing a construction project these days needs to know that it takes longer and costs more than you think it will. We updated the members constantly.”
He stresses the value of an on-site representative.
“I was on site every day making decisions,” he said. “The ability to do so in a timely fashion is vital.”
Cafaro agrees, noting that clubhouse projects require specialized knowledge.
“It is a delicate balance between a member’s residential and resort expectations,” he said. “Choosing an experienced design team, which includes architects, interior designers and engineers, is critical. It’s not about choosing the right architect. It’s about choosing the right team.”
Shifting member expectations
Beyond construction details, clubs must account for how members want to use their facilities today and in the future.
Cafaro sees a significant shift toward casual, everyday use.
Today’s members treat the club as part of daily life, driving demand for multipurpose spaces.
“You’ve got to have something in it for the golfers, the pool goers, the racket people, the diners,” Cafaro said.
Kuo’s work reflects this same understanding. His redesign of the Highlands Falls Country Club clubhouse in North Carolina included indoor-outdoor bars and panoramic mountain views, creating spaces that appeal to more than just golfers.
Innovations driving change
New tech and materials are helping architects respond to evolving expectations.
“We’re seeing permanent shade structures around pools, louvered pergolas at golf ranges and phantom shades that cut glare, wind and mosquitoes,” Cafaro said.
He also points to NanaWall and glass door systems that blur the line between indoors and outdoors, and HVAC systems that keep spaces comfortable even when open to the elements.
Pools remain a central draw for families, while wellness amenities and off-season activities from spas to bowling alleys extend clubhouse use year round.
The bottom line
Hiring the right architect for a clubhouse project requires more than finding someone with a strong portfolio. It means finding a partner who understands the unique nature of clubhouse design, the vision of the membership and the realities of modern construction.
Collins said it best: “Have a clear vision, stay organized and keep everyone informed. It will take longer and cost more than you think, but with the right team, it will be worth it.”
This article originally appeared in the 2025 Golf Inc. Design Issue.
