Future Golf is an online community that partners with golf clubs to give members affordable access to courses and golf events all over Australia.

From a simple idea launched in 2014 by founder Ali Terai with a Facebook post and $100 website, the member and partner driven movement is now one of the world’s largest communities of younger golfers, literally a game-changer for Australian golfers.

Terai says the simple concept of Future Golf was initially jarring for those not ready for the age-old pastime to be shaken up, and his idea was rejected by an industry stalwart as the "the stupidest thing I've ever heard".

But Terai went ahead, building partnerships with a growing number of golf courses, simulator companies, driving ranges and mini-golf courses, and linking would-be golfers with a youth-driven community with thousands of members. 

Terai says he was inspired to start a passion-based business after having his first child, Marcel. “I wanted to show Marcel, that if you have an idea, a passion and a dream, it’s worth taking imperfect action and giving it a crack”. 

After migrating to Australia in the 90’s, Terai’s father dreamed of opening an Indian Restaurant, but it always remained an idea, “My dad was always waiting for the perfect time to start, unfortunately the perfect time doesn’t exist. As a child I saw the toll not following his dream took on my father and I didn’t want to make the same mistake”.  

Future Golf is helping connect a new generation of golfers with a sport that features an average age over 60. 92 per cent of Future Golf members are aged between 25 and 39. 

Aiming to encourage more people to take up golf, Future Golf provides a pathway for complete beginners to become regular golfers. With a strict ‘legends only’ policy, Future Golf’s purpose is to build an inclusive, non-judgmental and welcoming community of golfers that allows everyone to enjoy and experience the sport.

"We exist because golf needs a platform that is flexible, accessible and friendly," Terai said.

With diversity a focus, the team recently launched the $50,000 ‘Future Women’ initiative which fully sponsors 250 memberships to encourage younger women to get into golf. This initiative will single-handedly increase the 20-39yo national female participation rate by 5%.

But traditional golf clubs aren't missing out on a slice of the pie. More than 700 Future Golf members have gone on to become members of clubs all across Australia and inject much needed revenue into the industry. 

Mr Terai said the club's mission is to build a global community of 1 million golfers. But he acknowledges that getting to this point hasn't been easy.

"It was probably time to pull the pin after getting that early feedback," he said. "But for some reason we couldn't. We kept hosting stupidly small events. We kept posting on social media. We kept calling clubs.

"Slowly, a few members started to join and then it snowballed." 

Those members are reaping the rewards, which include rounds at Australia's best public and private courses, introductory lessons, a golf handicap, golf trips, apparel and access to Xgolf, Topgolf, driving ranges and mini golf.

Members who joined say it's changed their life.

"For me, Future Golf isn’t just a handicap and some free golf," one member said. "It has become my second family."

Future Golf now have over 80 partner clubs and facilities ranging from Holey Moley, TopGolf to top private clubs like the Yarra Yarra Golf Club.

Yarra Yarra Golf Club General Manager Peter Vlahandreas said “This is the market we really need, the 25-40 year old market, as they are the future of our clubs. It is a great pathway. We are thrilled to be a prestige partner with Future Golf and look forward to an amazing partnership together.”

Future Golf is the winner of the 2019 Telstra Small and Succeeding Business Award for Victoria.

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