Pay Peanuts, Get Monkeys: Why Underpaying Staff Is Costing Your Golf Club More Than You Think
Running a successful golf club isn’t just about facilities — it’s about people.
Your food and beverage operation lives or dies by the strength of its team.
As Steve Jobs said:
“Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.”
That’s especially true in golf club hospitality, where member experience depends on every interaction — from the bar to the kitchen.
If you want your F&B department to perform like a premium one, it starts with how you hire, reward, and value your team.
The False Economy of Low Pay in Golf Club F&B
Throwing money at a vacancy doesn’t guarantee success — but running your operation on rock-bottom wages almost guarantees failure.
You can’t expect passion, professionalism, or pride from a team that feels underpaid and undervalued. It shows up in service, in standards, and ultimately in your bottom line.
Poor pay structures don’t just create turnover — they drain consistency, morale, and member satisfaction.
Rewarding Performance Builds Culture
Across the hospitality sector, the gap between senior staff and the front-line team is shrinking.
At many clubs, the F&B Manager or Head Chef earns little more than the team they lead.
That’s not sustainable.
Reward doesn’t have to mean big salaries — but it does need to reflect performance, responsibility, and pride in results.
When people see that effort and quality are recognised, behaviour changes — and so does your profitability.
Small Pay Differences, Big Impact
Even a modest uplift in hourly pay can transform how a role is perceived. It signals respect and attracts a different calibre of candidate — the kind who understands standards, not shortcuts.
It also sends a message to your existing team: this is a professional environment where people are valued.
Because yes, money isn’t everything.
But paying the bare minimum sets the wrong tone.
If you pay peanuts…
You get monkeys.
Why Premium Clubs Invest in Their Teams
The clubs that thrive today know the truth:
You can’t deliver a premium member experience on minimum wages.
Getting your F&B pay structure right isn’t just about pounds and pence — it’s about culture, retention, and performance.
When you align reward with results, you build a team that cares — and members notice.
Let’s Talk About Your Club
If you’re unsure whether your pay structure, incentives, or recruitment strategy are helping or holding you back, let’s have a chat.
📩 Book a consultation or get in touch to discuss how to create a high-performing, member-focused F&B team that actually delivers results.