Grandparents Day in the Golf Shop: Easy Ways to Celebrate

Written by Katelyn Madsen

Grandparents Day is approaching! And while the holiday may not carry the same retail weight as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, that doesn’t mean shops should overlook it. 

Take a look at your membership. Chances are, you are serving plenty of grandparents, whether you realize it or not. Let’s honor them. 

With a thoughtful display, a few small touches and some creative promotions, your shop can make the day feel special without adding an entirely new event to the calendar.

When Is It?

In the United States, National Grandparents Day falls on the first Sunday in September after Labor Day. In Canada, it falls on the second Sunday of September. In 2026, both fall on September 13.

Grandparents Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, though dates and traditions vary.

Check here to see if/when your country celebrates Grandparents Day.

Building the Display

“Grandparent Approved” Gift Station 

Make gift shopping easy for grandchildren and family members by setting up a gifting station in the store. Gather some of the shop’s most giftable merchandise into one location and offer options at varying price points.

Consider categories such as:

• Gifts under $25
• Something personalized
• Easy golf accessories
• Club-logo gifts
• Grab-and-go gift bundles

Ball markers, towels, hats, drinkware, socks, golf balls, bag tags, and other smaller accessories all work well.

Add an In-Shop Activation

Write a Card

Create a complimentary card-writing station near your Grandparents Day display or checkout area. Provide blank cards, envelopes, pens, markers, stickers, and other simple supplies so shoppers can write their message before leaving the shop.

You could even provide little prompt cards such as:

• “My favorite thing we do together is…”
• “Thanks for always…”
• “One thing you taught me is…”
• “I’m lucky to have you because…”

This can also become a kids’ activity station while parents or grandparents browse nearby.

Create a Photo Moment

A picture is worth a thousand words, and a good photo station can turn a simple shop visit into its own love note.

Create a small photo area overlooking the course, near the clubhouse, or inside the shop with subtle club branding. If you have an instant camera, staff could snap photos of grandparents and grandchildren and give them the photo to take home.

It doesn’t need to become a full photo booth either. A nice backdrop, good lighting, and a small sign may be enough.

Make It Personal

If personalization is available to your shop, Grandparents Day is a natural opportunity to highlight it. Consider offering complimentary or reduced-cost:

• Embroidery
• Monogramming
• Engraving
• Patches
• Personalized bag tags
• Custom drinkware

If your engraving equipment can reproduce photographs, this would be the perfect time to use it. Consider offering photo-personalized items such as bag tags, plaques, drinkware, or other suitable merchandise.

You can also create a few lighthearted preset phrases, such as:

• “Best Grandma by Par”
• “Best Grandpa by Par”
• “Love You Fore-ever”
• “My Favorite Playing Partner”

Make the Gift Feel Finished

Sometimes the easiest way to improve the gift is simply to improve the presentation.

Complimentary Gift Wrapping

Offer gift wrapping with club-branded tissue paper, ribbon, or tags. A little goes a long way.

Build-a-Gift Bundle

Let shoppers choose two or three smaller products and have staff package them together. Possible combinations might include:

• Towel + ball marker
• Hat + sleeve of golf balls
• Drinkware + candy
• Bag tag + divot tool
• Socks + small accessory

Pick-a-Note Gift Tags

Somewhat cheesy but wholly appropriate for the occasion, try pre-printed gift tags with messages such as:

• “For my favorite playing partner”
• “Thanks for always being in my corner”
• “Love you fore-ever”
• “Just a little something for you”

Small touches like these can make ordinary merchandise feel ready to give.

Get Creative With Promotions

Another holiday does not automatically need to mean putting merchandise 20% off. Instead, throw some creativity into your promotions, adding value and encouraging shoppers to participate.

Gift With Purchase

Offer a flower, candy box, sleeve of golf balls, complimentary gift wrapping, or another small add-on to shoppers who spend a certain amount off the Grandparents Day display.

Buy the Gift, We’ll Handle the Rest

Make convenience the promotion. The shopper chooses the gift and messaging while the retail team handles the card, wrapping, and, if practical, delivery elsewhere on club property.

Grandparent + Grandchild Shopping Perk

When grandparents and grandchildren come into the shop together, give each of them a small treat or enter them into a drawing. 

Surprise & Delight Drawing

Each Grandparents Day purchase could become an entry to win something they can enjoy later, such as:

• A clubhouse dining credit
• A golf lesson
• A merchandise package
• A round of golf
• A family experience at the club

Give an Old Favorite an Upgrade

Instead of discounting something new, encourage shoppers to replace something they already know their grandparent loves. The Grandparent Upgrade could focus on replacing:

• The well-worn golf towel
• The faded favorite hat
• An older rain jacket
• A travel accessory that has seen better days
• A frequently used golf bag or accessory

The promotion gives shoppers a helpful question to ask themselves: What does Grandma or Grandpa use all the time that could use an upgrade?

That can be much easier to answer than, “What do I buy them?”

Add a Little Extra

Recognition does not have to be expensive. Consider giving grandparents or Grandparents Day shoppers a small surprise such as:

• A flower
• Hershey’s Hugs and Kisses (a fan-favorite)
• A cookie
• A small candy bag
• Complimentary coffee
• A small branded item
• A sleeve of tees
• A handwritten note from the shop team

You could also partner with your food and beverage team to offer a small dessert or treat that shoppers can enjoy elsewhere at the club.

Keep It About the Connection

Celebrating Grandparents Day in the golf shop does not require an elaborate event or deep discount to make an impact. A curated display, thoughtful gift packaging, a handwritten card, or a few pieces of candy may be enough to turn an ordinary visit to the golf shop into something memorable. The goal is to thank them for all they do and the role they play in others’ lives.

Whether your customer is shopping for a grandparent, shopping with a grandparent, or is the grandparent slipping another gift into the bag for the grandkids, give them an easy way to celebrate the people they love spending time with.

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