How can specialist suppliers and software future proof the average golf club?
In the past, many golf clubs adopted a single, all-in-one software provider for simplicity. Whilst one vendor, one support contact and one login makes sense, golf clubs have moved away from that model to a hybrid approach. In the 2025 Golf Club Software Technology Report, 64.18% of clubs use a mix of providers for their software requirements, rather than just one supplier to ‘do it all’.
Why that change? It’s not as if all-in-one solutions have stopped working. Instead, it’s a shift in the attitudes and expectations across many golf club managers and stakeholders, as technology becomes more engrained and familiar to them.
Rather than settling for a single system that can’t keep up with the growing needs of modern golfers, golf clubs are switching to a model that embraces the best tools in each area of their software set-up.
Think of it like this: when you build a house, you don’t hire one builder to do it all—you hire specialists to deliver a certain part, such as plumbers, electricians, bricklayers and roofers. Otherwise, your taps are going to leak, and your roof is going to crumble!
The approach is not too dissimilar in software and golf clubs are paying attention to the possibilities of a ‘Best-in-Breed’ golf software ecosystem.
What does a Multi-Supplier Approach Mean?
In the 2025 software technology report, compiled by Golf Genius, Players 1st and multiple club manager bodies, it found nearly two-thirds of golf clubs were using a mix of suppliers in their software set-up. For example, a golf club might use BRS Golf for tee sheets, Sage for accountancy, and Golf Genius for competitions.
The result is that each supplier is being selected for doing its specific job really well—and ideally, they integrate to create a seamless experience.
That last point is critical. While the benefits of best-in-breed tools are compelling, integration is the glue that holds this ecosystem together. Going back to the house-building analogy—it would be like each tradesperson not speaking to one another during a job and not being able to understand how a bricklayer’s work might affect an electrician’s ability to wire the house correctly.
Without software integration, you risk recreating the same inefficiencies seen in all-in-one platforms. For reference, Golf Genius has built 100+ integrations with other likeminded suppliers, including BRS Golf, Lightspeed, Golf Manager, Stripe, HubSpot and more.
Interestingly, only 35.82% of respondents stuck with a single-supplier model. Perhaps they enjoy the simplicity with one system that does it all but as previously discussed, this is at the compromise of performance and flexibility. The report suggests that even among all-in-one users, many bolt on specialist tools to fill performance gaps, essentially creating hybrid environments.
As more clubs get comfortable with technology, they realise they don’t need to choose between simplicity and performance. With thoughtful planning and the right support, you can have both.
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Key Takeaway
You no longer need to settle for a one-size-fits-all approach. A thoughtfully integrated mix of specialist tools can deliver unmatched levels of performance across your whole software ecosystem.
Real-World Application
List the main software functions used at your club (e.g., membership, PoS, competitions, tee sheets, etc.). Then review if each tool is performing to the best of its ability (and to your current expectations).
If not, research alternatives—we can help you map out potential integrations. Contact us for help here.
