Red, white and blue color stories and patriotic prints have long been popular in golf shop merchandising, starting with Memorial Day celebrations and remaining relevant through the Fourth of July and leading into Labor Day – with bonus collections featured during Ryder Cup years.
The 2026 season will see this trend magnified as facilities capitalize on patriotic fervor with big seasonal displays to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth.
At Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Georgia, for example, Director of Retail Christina Klejka, AGM, will be transforming the shop into a “refined red, white and blue showcase,” featuring exclusive merchandise and limited-edition offerings that reflect the significance of America’s semiquincentennial.
“Our merchandising strategy focuses on creating an elevated visual presentation by thoughtfully layering patriotic colors throughout the shop and highlighting commemorative items within prominent focal displays,” says Klejka. “Strategic product placement, coordinated groupings and themed signage will provide a seamless and engaging shopping experience that reflects both pride and tradition.”
The Atlanta Athletic Club selection will include patriotic performance T-shirts from Levelwear, custom 250 & AAC logoed commemorative cups from Stache Cups, special-edition 250 logoed headwear from Imperial, custom patriotic accessories and headcovers from PRG, and patriotic men’s apparel collections from Divots Sportswear and Bobby Jones.
“By pairing exclusive commemorative pieces with established premium brands, Atlanta Athletic Club’s retail presentation will offer members a distinctive way to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, whether through a collectible keepsake, a statement piece for the course or timeless patriotic apparel,” Klejka adds.
Michael Tuohy, PGA of America Head Professional at Esplanade at Azario Lakewood Ranch (Florida), sees America’s 250th celebration as a chance to add a unique patriotic logo that people will want to remember and support. Tuohy has been working with Joseph Elliot, AndersonOrd and Branded Bills on products with a 250th logo, while leaning more heavily into red, white and blue drops from brands like Puma’s Volition. The product selection includes custom T-shirts, accessories and headwear, as well as special poker chips, towels and a ridge wallet with the 250th logo on the front and the Lakewood Ranch logo on the clip.
“We had some items come in at the end of March and early April to give our seasonal members the opportunity to purchase before they traveled home for the summer,” Tuohy says. “The majority of product will come in by the end of May for Memorial Day and refill before the Fourth of July.”
At TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Merchandise Manager Mallory Wilvert, AGM, has always leaned into red, white and blue during the summer months with apparel and accessories like hats, golf towels, sunglasses and special golf balls featuring an American flag or other patriotic designs. In terms of displays, Wilvert uses everything from American flags and signs to a golf car decorated in red, white and blue to draw customers in – and this year has presented far more opportunities.
“I am working with Ahead and Imperial for headwear and CMC for headcovers, ball markers, valuables pouches and other accessories,” Wilvert says. “I have also bought more red, white and blue apparel from my vendors – Peter Millar, johnnie-O, Fairway & Greene and B. Draddy – and I’m working with Signs By the Sea to also include some fun signage and props for the golf shop.”
For decoration, Wilvert is working with vendors licensed to use the official America 250 logo, while also creating new artwork and using classic patriotic colors for other items.
“I hope to have the golf shop decked out in red, white and blue, and make it even more special than a typical Fourth of July display,” she adds.
Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California, plans to feature special 250th anniversary merchandise with headwear as the centerpiece, and PGA of America Retail Manager Carrie Matlin is also having custom signage created to incorporate into the display.
“We think it’s important to recognize the nation’s 250th anniversary because moments like this connect us not only with the history of our country and the game, but also with our community and guests,” Matlin says. “Commemorative displays create a sense of occasion and excitement in the shop, and they offer a meaningful way for our members and visitors to mark the milestone.
“Plus, it’s a great opportunity to showcase special products and engage people in a unique shopping experience.”
At the same time, Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden, Colorado, is “going all out with a bold red, white and blue celebration that truly reflects the spirit of the occasion,” according to Merchandise Coordinator Jane Schwab, AGM. The club has stocked up on patriotic headwear from Pukka and Branded Bills, along with accessories from PAC Golf, Devant Towels and Corkcicle to complete the look.
“Our storefront will be decked out with flags, buntings and festive Fourth of July décor to create an unmistakable patriotic atmosphere,” Schwab says. “Apparel continues to play a major role in our presentation, with USA-themed collections arriving from Volition America, johnnie-O, Swannies Golf and TravisMathew. Together, these brands and visual elements will help us create an exciting, all-American shopping experience that honors this milestone in a big way.”
Monterey Peninsula Country Club in Pebble Beach, California, is also going all out this summer to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. According to Assistant Director of Retail Taylor Leal, AGM, the goal is to create a “bold, colorful and meaningful environment that combines golf, history and a touch of festivities.” This will include filling the golf shop with 250 balloons, each containing a surprise discount, and allowing members and guests to pick one at check-out to receive a percentage off their purchase.
“This turns shopping into an engaging, interactive experience that is both fun and memorable – especially when someone pulls the 100 percent off balloon,” Leal says. “We’re also filling the front table with white, red and blue roses that we get from our agronomy team. The roses tying with the balloon arch will create a vibrant, eye-catching display that immediately draws attention and encourages members to stop, look and fully take in the patriotic spirit.”
In terms of product, brands like Ralph Lauren, Holderness & Bourne, Peter Millar and Titleist will be integrated into the shop’s displays, as each department – from apparel to accessories, to equipment – is coordinated with the patriotic theme, allowing members to engage with the products in a visually striking and celebratory setting, according to Leal.
“By transforming the golf shop into a space that is visually dynamic, engaging and memorable, we aim to give members a reason to pause, appreciate the celebration and feel connected to the patriotic spirit of the season,” she says. “It’s more than just decoration; it’s a fully immersive experience that makes this 250th anniversary unforgettable for everyone who comes into the shop.”
Editor’s note: Kate Alter, AGM, is the Golf Shop Manager/Buyer at Arrowood Golf Course in Oceanside, California. She became a Certified Retail Manager (CRM) in 2023.
Being located so close to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, we at Arrowood Golf Course take a lot of pride in being a first-choice course for many Veteran and active-duty golfers. Because of that connection, we always look for opportunities throughout the year to run patriotic-themed promotions, and the upcoming 250th birthday of America will be no exception.
We plan to celebrate with themed events and promotions in the golf shop, including festive offers like 25 percent off merchandise, along with specialty collections featuring red, white and blue. We’ll also highlight Americana-inspired product displays that bring together apparel and accessories in one place to create an easy one-stop shop for guests looking to celebrate the occasion.
When it came to our pre-books this year, we were very intentional about spreading out collections that had an Americana feel throughout our peak season.
One of our most reliable performers for both men and women has been the Volition America line from Puma Golf, which we faithfully bring in every year. The collection is always a home run for us, but this season we took it a step further by splitting the assortment into two distinct drops, one featuring the traditional red, white and blue palette, and another incorporating olive greens and creams with subtle nods to military camouflage.
We are also introducing a coastal, muted take on red, white and blue from AndersonOrd. This will be our first season carrying the brand, but we felt confident that the softer, patriotic color palette would resonate well with our guests.
Another staple for us is the limited-edition Titleist Pro V1 golf balls that release each year around Independence Day. These tend to move quickly, especially when paired with other patriotic merchandise. This year, we plan to merchandise them alongside themed apparel and a special, limited release of Titleist hats showcasing America’s birth year and the American flag, creating a cohesive patriotic display within the shop.
Creative merchandise displays are a must for us and typically go beyond the traditional American flag setup. In the past, we’ve incorporated replica military planes hanging from the ceiling for a real “wow” factor and even spelled out U-S-A using sleeves of Titleist golf balls. It’s a fun way to create an engaging visual display that ties into our proximity to the military community while drawing guests into the shop.
As a summer signature, Arrowood is honored to host a special PGA HOPE event this July, the first of its kind for us. Previous graduates of the program will be invited to enjoy our outdoor golf entertainment venue, Flight Deck powered by Toptracer Range, while also receiving exclusive deals on apparel and merchandise in our golf shop as a special way to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for us.
Moments like the 250th anniversary of the United States represent a great merchandising opportunity for shops like ours. Holidays inherently generate excitement among golfers, and leaning into that with limited-edition products, themed displays and patriotic events allows us to drive meaningful retail engagement while simultaneously celebrating this most rare milestone in American history. —Kate Alter, AGM
