As the saying goes, when you smile at others, they will smile back at you and then you will be happy. When this extends to volunteering together as a team for a cause or non-profit, the whole group can be positively charged.
Volunteerism creates positive impacts for causes, generates goodwill and builds stronger teams. Uniting around efforts to support communities reinforces trust and collaboration with a shared sense of purpose. In the golf industry, where service and hospitality are core to daily operations, community giving is a natural extension of organizational values.
According to a Deloitte study, 89 percent of employees believe companies that sponsor volunteer activities offer a better overall working environment. Teams that engage in service together experience improved morale, stronger communication and deeper connections – both with one another and with the communities they serve.
At the Home of the PGA of America, the PGA promotes volunteerism as part of its core culture. Plus, through the PGA Cares Employee Volunteer Program, teams participate nationwide in regular service projects with nonprofits. From packing food at the North Texas Food Bank to hosting inclusive golf clinics, employees step away from their desks and into the community – bringing their values to life while building camaraderie with colleagues.
Volunteerism also plays a key role at the PGA Section level, galvanizing support in times of need and building teamwork amongst PGA of America Professionals across all 41 Sections.
When the California wildfires impacted Southern California, the Section created “Swing into Action” – a program calling upon PGA Members to donate golf lessons for the cause. Rather than a standard form of payment, golf students were asked to donate a gift card that the Southern California PGA helped distribute to those in need. This initiative creatively mobilizes the unique professional assets of PGA Members, transforming a service into a direct conduit for charitable giving, broadening the network of support and making the contribution more deeply connected to the core identity of the PGA of America.
Any golf facility – public, private, resort or municipal – can build volunteerism into its culture. Here’s how:
1. Identify Local Needs. Connect with local nonprofits, food banks, schools or parks to understand where support is most needed. Focus on causes that align with the team’s interests and facility’s mission.
2. Make it Easy to Participate. Organize volunteer days during work hours or offer incentives like paid volunteer time. Create a calendar of opportunities so employees can plan ahead.
3. Lead From the Top. When facility leaders participate in service efforts, it sets the tone and encourages others to follow. Visibility matters.
4. Involve Everyone. Invite staff from all departments – golf, food & beverage, maintenance, facilities and administration – to join. Teamwide participation helps build cross-functional relationships.
5. Celebrate the Impact. Share stories and photos from volunteer events. Highlight employees who go above and beyond. Track hours and impact to show progress over time.
6. Create a Volunteer Shirt. Design a club-branded volunteer shirt for staff to wear during volunteer events. Team members appreciate the sense of unity, and the consistent look stands out in photos – making it ideal for social media, press coverage and reinforcing your facility’s community-minded brand.
7. Tie Back to Values. Reinforce how giving back connects to the values of respect, community and hospitality that define golf culture.
When golf facilities create space for volunteerism, they fuel more than charitable impact – they strengthen culture from within. Employees return to work re-energized, with a stronger sense of team and a deeper commitment to their roles. The result: a more connected, purpose-driven environment that reflects the very best of the game.