Golf clubhouses need to be up-to-date with what guests look for in a dining experience. This will set you apart from the other courses that only sell burgers and fries, giving people one more reason to visit your operation. Here are 17 new ways to get your customers interested in golf course food. Try them out this season, and let us know what you think.

Give people healthy options.

People are becoming more health-conscious, and many golfers would like to have some healthy options. Although junk food is excellent occasionally, it’s not always the best option.

If you want a healthier golf course food menu, consider including more natural ingredients. Adding these items will help bring in customers concerned about their health and would otherwise skip your restaurant.

Cater to special diets

Many people choose diets like vegetarianism, paleo, keto, and others because they have food intolerances or want to improve their health. These customers should not be forced into an all-or-nothing diet plan where the only options on your menu are what fits with that specific dietary requirement. You can still offer the traditional American dishes while also having some alternatives.

Examples of trending golf course food menu items:

• Hamburgers with lettuce wrap bun
• Gluten-free pizza
• Mashed cauliflower
• Squash spaghetti

Give golfers breakfast on the go.

Many golfers might have a morning tee time, so they will want to grab breakfast. Offer takeout breakfasts for the convenience of those who don’t want to sit in your dining room.

Breakfast sandwiches are a popular way to start the day because they can be eaten on the go. They come in many different varieties, from omelets to fried eggs, and you can use any bread – wraps or biscuits, for example. Try using organic free-range eggs and high-quality bread if possible so that your customers have healthy options.

Source ingredients locally and sustainably.

More and more people are starting to care about where their food comes from. Partnering with local suppliers not only makes for a healthier meal, but you’ll also position yourself as someone who supports the local economy. These factors are becoming significant to many customers; you will attract them by catering your menu accordingly.

When selling local products, your staff should be able to describe the flavor and where it came from. This will help you sell more drinks because people want to know about their options.

Offer smaller dishes that can be shared.

Traditional restaurant meals have been served in large portions. Golf courses are now offering smaller plates so customers can easily share them. This is a way to increase social interaction and get people talking about your golf course food.

The prices need to be reasonable because guests will often order more than one dish, so it’s important not to overprice for smaller portions. Click To Tweet

This will also bring in people who want to grab a quick snack with their drink after playing 18 holes but don’t feel like sitting down for an entire meal. They can walk through the clubhouse instead of heading straight back to their car.

Sell beverages in “tasting” formats.

The wine tasting menu is a popular choice because it offers smaller portions of different wines to help the customer find their favorite. Other drinks that are commonly sampled include beer, scotch, and rum.

Golf courses will benefit from increased revenue because tastings allow customers to try out something they otherwise might not have.

Use flavors from around the globe

Golf courses traditionally serve greasy, quick foods that appeal to the masses. However, recent golf food trends have opened up new opportunities for restaurants with international offerings like dishes from around the world which will be more authentic if they use natural recipes and ingredients.

People are now clear on their preference whether Indian, African, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Adding these cuisines to your golf course food menus will attract more customers and bring in revenue during the off-season by attracting people who do not play golf.

Get creative with healthy food options

New York City is a trendsetter for the rest of America regarding healthy food, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still room in their diet for junk. This can be seen at Dō, an edible cookie dough parlor where lines are always out the door because people know they’re getting something worth waiting for.

The social media power of your golf course food items will help you bring in more visitors. The wide variety, novelty, and uniqueness of these foods are sure to make golfers want a bite before they finish their round.

Reduce food waste

One of the significant concerns in restaurants these days is managing all of their waste. With it nearly impossible to have a zero-waste food operation, there are still things that can be done, like composting any organic waste and donating extra food to those who need it.

One way to save money on produce is by purchasing the ugly, less desirable fruits and vegetables. Not only will you be saving food costs but your restaurant may have an interesting marketing opportunity with this purchase as well.

Offer amazing service to every patron

The best way to ruin a good meal is with lousy service. Every employee should be:

• Courteous
• Efficient
• Friendly.
• Knowledgable about food items on your menu
• Trained on food safety practices

Training for your employees is essential to maintain quality service. Training new hires and training current staff will allow you to deliver the same high-quality customer experience every time.

Giving customers points for every purchase they make at your golf course, including the restaurant and pro shop, is a great way to ensure repeat visits. The loyalty program will encourage people to spend more time on the property, making them feel appreciated.

Expand your drink menu

The popularity of golf has increased in recent years, especially among younger generations. They are more interested in purchasing drinks and trying out new cocktails than the previous generation, who only wanted a beer or soda with their game.

To maintain a good reputation and sell drinks, your bar staff should be well-trained on all the different cocktails. In addition, they can use their knowledge as an opportunity to convince people who have very rigid tastes that trying something new is worth it.

Sell charcuterie plates and artisan cheese

Artisan cheese and charcuterie platters are a more upscale version of more minor, shareable food. These options offer guests a variety of high-end foods in small amounts to allow them to try different flavors from the same plate.

A good selling point for a restaurant is to use local produce. The people in the area will be happy about your support of other small businesses, and you can charge more because there are fewer suppliers.

Run a fresh juice bar

Juice bars are an excellent option for people who want quick, healthy snacks that can be taken anywhere. To start one of these businesses successfully, it is essential to keep the menu concise and straightforward with both sweet options and vegetable-based ones.

One of the most critical elements to consider when making juices and smoothies is how old your product is. It’s better for customers if you use fresh fruits and vegetables because it makes a big difference in taste.

If you cannot make fresh juice, there is always the option of selling other beverages like Naked Juice or kombucha. These drinks have become popular because they cater to an increasingly health-conscious population, and people will buy them if it’s a recognizable brand.

Serve up street food

There is a growing trend in restaurants to sell foods commonly found on the street. These types of food offer an alternative menu item for customers and provide them with different options than what they would find at other establishments.

Street food is usually very inexpensive because the ingredients are cheaper than those found in restaurants. By adding these items to your golf course food menu, you can make more money while giving guests a choice that they’ll love.

Get your seafood sustainably

It is best for golf courses located near large bodies of water because there are a lot of fishing enthusiasts. Recently, consumers have been hesitant to eat seafood from commercial farming operations.

To avoid this, try your luck with local fisheries first. You’ll most likely be getting a much better quality protein and supporting the local economy by purchasing locally sourced food. It may not seem like that big of a deal now, but sourcing will impact consumer decisions in the future, so it is crucial to get ahead of these trends at restaurants.

Offer meals for golfers on the go

Although the trend of fast food style sandwiches has been going down, there is a shift in people’s eating habits to healthier pre-made meals. Many restaurants are finding ways to prepare these items to be stored and sold near the counter for customers who want something quick on their way out.

The main advantage of this is that they offer a quicker option for your guests who don’t want to wait in line or sit down. Here are some examples:

• Chicken wraps
• Tempeh bowls
• Fresh sandwiches
• Veggie bowls

Implement a self-order POS system

Fast-casual restaurants are now beginning to use self-order kiosks that will give customers the ability to input and even pay for their orders without needing a server. In many cases, waiting is one of the worst parts of eating at a restaurant, but these new machines can cut down on inefficiencies.

Self-order kiosks can help your staff spend more time giving excellent service and being knowledgeable about the menu. They also reduce labor costs by cutting down on inefficiency, which is a problem for many restaurants.

Final Thoughts on Golf Course Food Trends

When choosing your golf course food menu, make sure to use high-quality ingredients, display those items on the menu, and educate staff about them. Click To Tweet

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Many restaurants find success in offering something different from the competition.