Golf club member survey questions: 40 examples that get answered

What makes a good survey question

The questions you ask determine the answers you get, and most member surveys fail before a single response comes in because the questions are too long, too vague or too many. The fix is simple discipline. A good question is short enough to read in one glance, specific enough that two members would interpret it the same way, and asks about one thing only — not the food and the service in the same breath.

Wherever possible, make the answer a yes/no or a 1–5 rating rather than a paragraph. Members answer rating questions far more readily than open boxes, and ratings give you numbers you can track over time. Keep one or two optional free-text boxes at the end for anything you didn't think to ask, but lead with the quick stuff. Avoid leading wording ("How much did you enjoy our excellent new menu?") and double negatives, and never ask about something you have no intention of acting on.

• Short — readable at a glance, no jargon, one sentence.
• Specific — about one clearly defined thing, so answers are comparable.
• Mostly closed — yes/no or 1–5, with rare optional free text.
• Neutral — no leading or loaded wording that nudges the answer.
• Actionable — only ask what you're prepared to do something about.

Arrival and welcome

First impressions set the tone for the whole visit, and they're cheap to get right. These questions tell you whether members feel recognised and looked after from the car park onwards.

• Were you greeted warmly when you arrived today? (yes/no)
• How easy was it to find parking? (1–5)
• Did check-in or sign-in feel quick and straightforward? (yes/no)
• How well-presented was the entrance and approach to the clubhouse? (1–5)
• Did staff make you feel like a valued member today? (1–5)

Food and beverage

Food and drink is where members spend discretionary money and form strong opinions, so it pays to measure it on its own rather than lumping it into a general clubhouse score.

• How would you rate the quality of the food today? (1–5)
• How would you rate value for money on food and drink? (1–5)
• Was service at the bar or restaurant prompt? (1–5)
• Was the menu range and choice good enough for you? (yes/no)
• Were you offered a drink or refreshment at the turn or after your round? (yes/no)
• How clean and comfortable was the bar and dining area? (1–5)

Clubhouse and facilities

Locker rooms, changing facilities, the practice area and general upkeep all shape how members feel about belonging to the club. These questions surface maintenance issues before they fester into complaints.

• How would you rate the cleanliness of the changing rooms and toilets? (1–5)
• Are the practice facilities (range, putting green, nets) up to standard? (1–5)
• Is the clubhouse comfortable and well-maintained? (1–5)
• Did everything you needed work today (Wi-Fi, lockers, showers)? (yes/no)
• How would you rate the buggy and trolley facilities? (1–5)

The course

The course is the product, and members judge it in detail — greens, bunkers, tees, fairways and pace of play. Ask about each element separately so you know exactly where the greens team should focus, and pair this with on-the-spot course reports for specific, locatable problems.

• How would you rate the condition of the greens today? (1–5)
• How would you rate the condition of the bunkers? (1–5)
• How would you rate the condition of the tees and fairways? (1–5)
• Was the course set up fairly for your standard of play? (yes/no)
• How would you rate pace of play during your round? (1–5)
• Was course signage and on-course information clear? (yes/no)

Pro shop, professional, value and loyalty

The last group covers the commercial and relationship side of membership — the shop and professional, whether members feel they get value, and the single most important question of all: would they recommend you. The recommendation question is the basis of Net Promoter Score, the cleanest one-number read on loyalty you can take.

On numbers: a strong member survey is six to twelve questions, not thirty. Pick the handful that matter most for the season you're in, rotate topics through the year, and keep the survey under two minutes so members finish it. Asking too much is the fastest route to survey fatigue and falling response rates. A QR-code survey through GoodGreens lets you run a short, rotating set continuously rather than ambushing members with one long annual form.

• How would you rate the range and pricing in the pro shop? (1–5)
• Was the professional or shop staff helpful and approachable? (1–5)
• How would you rate the value of your membership overall? (1–5)
• Do the events and competitions programme meet your expectations? (yes/no)
• How well does the club communicate with you? (1–5)
• How likely are you to recommend this club to a friend? (0–10) — the NPS question
• How satisfied are you with your membership overall? (1–5)
• Is there one thing we could change that would most improve your experience? (optional free text)