I’ve played hundreds of different golf courses over the years. Some of them nice, others not so much. Some of them famous, others just local munis. And yet despite the vast differences in layout and scenery (or lack thereof), these courses all have the ability to cheer you up after a poor round; provide the backdrop for you to celebrate an ace; or just continue the camaraderie indoors after your round is over.
I’m talking about, of course, that after-round watering hole…where finding the drink doesn’t involve a lost ball or two-stroke penalty: The 19th Hole. But just like the golf courses they’re attached to, not all 19th holes are created equal. Golfers want a place where there’s good beer on tap; decent bar fare; and sports (especially golf) on television.
But what makes a good 19th hole? Well, I’d say the first step is to actually have one, which believe it or not, a couple courses I’ve played failed to do. One place was actually a pretty nice 18-hole course, so I was quite surprised to find the only refreshments on premises were contained in two vending machines in the pro shop. A golf course stands to make a good amount of dough from a 19th hole, so not having one is somewhat of a poor business decision. So for all the courses out there that actually do have a 19th hole, let’s discuss what makes a good one…
Drinks
Let’s talk about beer first. Courses should have a good selection on tap. After all, the 19th hole is first and foremost a bar. And while there are still many folks who love nothing more than to drain a bottle of domestic libation, increasingly people in general (golfers included) are wanting a good selection of imported or craft brew on tap. In this, many 19th holes, at least here in the U.S., fall short.
What about spirits? Again, this is a bar and someone back there needs to know how to mix a drink – especially the classics. Golf is a classic and somewhat sophisticated game – and maybe just sometimes, we golfers need to be treated as sophisticated folks. And while I’m at it, a modest selection of cigars would be a good idea too – even if we have to puff them out on the patio – which leads me to…
Ambiance
A patio is definitely a plus – preferably looking over the 18th green so you can heckle your pals putting-out in the group behind you. But with or without a patio, ambiance is kind of important. Golfers like to relax in a little bit of class. Too many 19th holes look like a crappy diner inside. This may not bother everyone but to me, you should put as much thought and care into the bar as you do the fairways and greens. A nice-looking 19th hole will bring in more patrons and keep them there longer.
Food
Some 19th holes try and do too much. That’s fine if you can pull it off, but most of the time a simple tavern menu will do: A high-quality burger; tuna and/or turkey club sandwiches; a salad option; and then some appetizer-type selections (wings, cheese fries, nachos, etc.). And when golfers are sitting at the bar, have some stuff for them to snack on – the classic bar mix is great but even just pretzels will work. Folks like to munch on something when they drink – and they drink more when they eat a salty snack.
Friendliness (of both the staff and patrons)
Too many courses treat their 19th hole as an afterthought and as a result the staff does too…sadly, poor service is commonplace. But many times the staff isn’t the only problem – the regular patrons are sometimes snooty cliques that don’t like unfamiliar faces drinking their beer. Perhaps nothing feels more uncomfortable than walking into a bar where everyone looks at you like you don’t belong. Golf courses need to welcome folks to their 19th hole with open arms. Hell, all courses should advertise their 19th hole on the 17th and 18th tee-boxes.
Done right, a19th hole can be a successful bar that adds profits to a golf course. And it should offer the drinks; menu; ambiance; and hospitality people look to immerse themselves in after a round of golf. My perfect 19th hole experience would be sitting out on a patio watching golfers finishing-out on the 18th; drinking a Belgian wheat; chowing a juicy grass-fed burger on an artesian roll; and capping-it-all-off with a nice robusto cigar. But that’s just me.
How about you?
Our local tract’s “bar” I wouldn’t dignify as a 19th Hole, …it’s more of a 18-1/2th Divot.
It’s barely a bar, about 20 stools at the counter and three booths. Two beers on-tap and a few more in the cooler, and a few bar-basics for cocktails and shots. Food’s limited to grilled hot dogs, microwave hamburgers, and some tuna salad I wouldn’t touch with surgical gloves. It’s enough to slack a thirst, but there’s no ambiance. Most of the day the guy at the front counter handing-out cart-keys, driving-range ball-buckets and the putters for mini-golf doubles as your bartender.
The plus side is a few of the more obnoxious and [c]rude regulars have moved-away. For a few years, it was so-bad on a Friday evening that people quit our afternoon league just to avoid being in the bar with them after league-play
At-least the bar isn’t a wedding/bar-mitzvah reception-mill like most of the courses in my area. At most, the golf club’s liquor license just becomes a means to host more-lucrative catered receptions at the expense of being a pleasant golf clubhouse. The course closest to my house just built an elaborate 40,000-sf reception-hall “club-house” just for catered events under separate management. The members have to make-do with a double-wide that combines the Pro Shop, the bar and the “locker” rooms.
Ted – you just described a good portion of 19th holes in this country. It’s too bad because if done right, a 19th hole can subsidize the golf side.
Yeah. A great clubhouse grill is the one in my father’s hometown out in the cornbelt in southern Minnesota. It’s 1/3-golf club bar, 1/3 sports-TV bar and 1/3 neighborhood hangout. As the only liquor-license actually in-town vs. out on the highway, so it’s developed as a clubby family joint with a nice outside patio, the charcoal grill’s hot most weekend afternoon’s into the evening and it’s be best place in town for ribs, steaks and a beer. Lots of resident’s have social-memberships and use golf-carts to get around town…including the teenagers…even if they don’t play.
The only drawback they don’t have 18-holes….though they do have 18 tee-boxes.
19th holes are so important after a long oftentimes hot day. Beer, good food, and nice people make for a relaxing end to a day out. Great post!
@Woodhaven – I’ve actually been to your 19th hole – not bad!