What inspired GolfN to choose the subscription model for its mobile app?

Cash paymentsThe Trends in Subscription Economy 2025 study reveals compelling insights into the booming membership economy.

Subscription-based businesses have grown by 435% much larger than traditional business models over the past decade.

The Subscription Economy Index (SEI) has shown remarkable growth, outpacing the S&P 500 4.6 times over the past decade, with staggering growth. CAGR of 17.5% compared to 3.8%.

Additional, churn rates have significantly dropped to 5.4% in 2023which shows that we strongly focus on subscription models year after year.

This business model offers two important advantages that motivate companies worldwide:

• The subscription approach is also increasing lifetime customer valuee by expanding relationships beyond single transactions.
• Studies show that the average subscription customer generates 3-5x more revenue over their lifetime compared to transactional customers in the same industry.

Within the golf industry I have found 6 examples:

• Title list offers one golf ball subscription: you choose your preferred ball model (e.g. Pro V1 / Pro V1x, etc.), set the delivery frequency (every 1, 2, 3 or 4 months) and have the balls shipped to you.
• Short par 4 offers a membership/subscription service where you pay a monthly fee (e.g. ~$99/month for their “Tour Select” program) receive a composed package every month of golf clothing, accessories, etc.
• Mullybox offers a quarterly (or sometimes monthly) subscription box for golfers, including golf equipment, accessories, clothing, etc.
• ClubHub markets a subscription model for golf clubs: “always play with the latest clubs”, upgrade at any time and a monthly fee makes this possible access to premium club sets.
• UrCaddie is an Australian-based service offering premium golf club subscriptions. You choose a plan (e.g. Bronze, Silver, Gold) and receive clubs use, exchange or store.

I was happy then Brandon Tucker, communications director of Destroyaccepted my invitation for an interview.

Destroy is a groundbreaking platform designed to celebrate every aspect of a golfer’s life– both inside and outside the course – while harnessing the transformative power of the subscription business model.

How well do golf brands understand the benefits of the membership economy?

The brands that are already on the app’s points marketplace, such as Cobra Golf, Srixon, LAB and others definitely see the value of the membership economy.

We have users with many points who maybe take a chance on a new brand or productor spend something that is usually out of their price range, with points they might not otherwise spend with cash.

Points is a completely different market compared to traditional golf stores or e-commerce.

What is the concept of the Destroy mobile app?

The GolfN app is a digital caddy app that rewards engagement via the points system (XP). The more golf you play with the GolfN app, the more points you earn.

It doesn’t matter how well you play or how actively you use the app during the round; you have to play golf to earn points which can be used to redeem for premium golf merchandise from our first partnerslike Cleveland, Srixon, LAB wave, Cobra wave, Puma waveJones and Seamus.

Who are the ideal B2C and B2B customers? Destroy?

The ideal B2C are amateur golfers who play regularly and can benefit from earning points within the app.

They have arreasonable level of knowledge about gamification of consumer appswhether it’s through games like Pokémon Go or how to use credit card rewards programs to their advantage.

For B2Bwant to use brands or properties Destroy as a loyalty layer for their company via GolfN’GageGolf’s sweepstakes and redemption marketplace platform.

How do you get new users to download the app and motivate them to use the app regularly?

Referrals, Brand/Community Partnershipsand the community play a major role. Those who are already taking advantage of the app are telling their friends.

At first the app may seem too good to be true, because all features are free. The only thing you can do pay for membership levelswhich allows you to earn points faster.

Once golfers use it a few times and watch their points balance growthey realize there really is power to the golfer via the Destroy app compared to other digital caddies.

Will you offer your apps to indoor golf and golf entertainment users (e.g. Toptracer)?

GolfNs GolfN’Gage is purpose-built for off-course gamification and check-in at locations like TopGolf or PGA Tour Superstore, or participate in online games and entertainment concepts.

Currently you can check in at various professional golf events, but that is expanding to all kinds of golf concepts.

What is your monetization strategy?

GolfN earns income in various ways. Fundamental to this is connecting brands to our growing user base to deliver targeted messages that our golfers will find value in.

Loyalty programs in golf are often non-existent or broken.

GolfN can be a base layer for loyaltywhere activity and involvement with golf and other brands results in greater awareness and interaction with our partners.