Today’s best club amenities prioritize wellness, social connection and year-round engagement — and the results are reshaping the member experience.
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Golf may be the centerpiece, but today’s most successful clubs understand that the overall experience keeps members engaged. The winners of Golf Inc.’s 2026 Amenity of the Year competition show how amenities have evolved from nice additions to essential drivers of participation, satisfaction and year-round use.
Across all categories, a clear shift is underway. Traditional pool expansions are giving way to wellness and fitness facilities, vibrant social spaces, racket and paddle sports complexes and technology-driven practice and instruction environments. Many projects are designed to serve multiple purposes, blending activity with hospitality and creating spaces where members gather before, during and after play.
This year’s 15 winners stood out for thoughtful planning, strong member demand and designs that balance high impact with operational efficiency. Independent judges Bill Stott, principal at AO, and Darryl Bartlett, senior manager at NMP Golf Construction, joined the Golf Inc. editorial team to evaluate entries based on design quality, functionality, innovation and overall member experience.
Together, the projects reflect a common goal: creating amenities that strengthen community, support wellness and keep clubs relevant in a changing market.
FIRST PLACE
Wyndemere Country Club
Naples, Florida
Architect: AM Design Group
Interior Design Firm: AM Design Group
The goal of Wyndemere Country Club’s outdoor activity center was to give members a vibrant, resort-style destination that brought the energy of tournament play into daily life with a wide range of racket and lawn sports. The overarching purpose of the center was to strengthen community through movement, wellness and connection.
The complex focuses on seven new pickleball courts, including a private pickleball stadium court with seating for 160 spectators. Other features include 10 Har-Tru tennis courts, a tournament-approved croquet lawn and four competition-level bocce courts designed to support more than 500 active players.
Shade structures, seating terraces and the open-air pavilion use organic materials and soft colors to create a welcoming atmosphere. The stadium seating at the pickleball court serves as a centerpiece without overwhelming the landscape. Across the site, plantings and hardscape elements work together to soften…
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