Golf Inc. Yearly Competitions
Golf Inc. recognizes the gold standard in golf renovations, development, operations and clubhouses through our various competitions.
For each competition, we select well-known judges who represent the various constituencies, and who are often past winners themselves.
We recognize a first place, second place, third place and honorable mentions in each category, when there are enough quality entrants. Honorees are featured in a magazine issue and invited to attend the Golf Inc. Summit to receive a plaque and be recognized.
All competitions are free to enter!
Enter Now.
*Reach out to Michelle.W@CrittendenResearch.com or Trevor.M@CrittendenResearch.com for any questions.
Development of the Year 2026
Entries opened March 13, 2026.
Click here for the entry form.
The yearly award recognizes the daily fee/resort courses and private clubs with the best new traditional and non-traditional golf courses (including short courses!) opened during the past year around the globe.
Categories: New Private, New Daily Fee/Resort, New Golf Entertainment
Eligibility: Any new development completed between January 1, 2025 and April 1, 2026.
Deadline: April 17, 2026
Winners will be featured in the July/August 2026 issue of Golf Inc.
Clubhouse of the Year 2026
Entries will open May 29, 2026.
Recognizes the best new golf course clubhouse or private clubhouse and the best clubhouse renovations from around the globe.
Categories: Private New Clubhouse, Public New Clubhouse, and Remodel
Eligibility: Any project completed between January 1, 2025 and June 1, 2026.
Deadline: July 3, 2026
Winners will be featured in the September/October 2026 issue of Golf Inc.
Golden Fork 2027
Entries will open September 2026.
Recognizes the best new and renovated food & beverage facilities at private and public/resort clubs, as well as food & beverage programs. Judges will base scores off of a number of factors including improvements in revenue, traffic, guest satisfaction, aesthetics, service, menu and capital investments.
Categories: New Private, New Public/Resort, Renovated Private, Renovated Public/Resort, Excellence in Food & Beverage Program
Eligibility: New and remodeled projects completed between October 1, 2025 and November 1, 2026. Previously submitted entries are not eligible for consideration.
*The Excellence in Food & Beverage Program does not apply to this “Project Completed” timeframe.
Deadline: TBD
Winners will be featured in the January/February 2027 issue of Golf Inc. Magazine.
Amenity of the Year 2027
Entries will open November 2026.
Recognizes the best new amenity or renovated amenity at private and public clubs.
Categories: New Public/Resort, Private
Eligibility: Any project completed between November 1, 2025 and December 1, 2026
Deadline: TBD
Winners will be featured in the March/April 2027 issue of Golf Inc. Magazine.
Renovation of the Year 2027
Entries will open January 2027.
Recognizes the best golf course renovations or restorations from the prior year from around the world.
Categories: Private, Public
Eligibility: Any renovation project completed between January 1, 2026, and February 1, 2027. Previously submitted entries are not eligible for consideration.
Deadline: TBD
Winners will be featured in the May/June 2027 issue of Golf Inc. Magazine.
