How sports clubs are using wallet passes to improve the way they work

Sports clubs can feel miles apart in terms of scale. You might be visiting a local bowling green with a small timber clubhouse, or perhaps you’re at a large golf club that feels more like a small village, complete with locker rooms, bars, and a spa. Regardless of the size of the footprint, the headache for the people running these spaces is always the same: how do we manage who’s actually allowed to be here?

When you don’t have a solid system, things get messy. People keep using the facilities long after their membership has ended, and honestly, it’s a drain on the club. We also know that the best clubs are the ones that let members use the space when it suits them, even if there isn’t a staff member standing at the desk to hand over a physical key.

The answer we’re seeing more often isn’t some over-engineered piece of hardware, it’s the digital wallet passes that already live in your members' Apple Wallet or Google Pay.

These passes are inexpensive and easy to get up and running, but they do much more than just open a door. Here’s how we see clubs making life easier for their members while keeping their operations productive.

Managing access from one place

A digital wallet pass works a lot like the old plastic membership cards we’re all used to. A member walks up to the entrance, scans their phone, and the door opens. It sounds simple because it should be.

The real value for the club is in the control. We can help you manage every member from a central point. If someone hasn't paid their dues, you can stop their pass from working immediately. For a golf club, this means you can issue passes to everyone, and when they arrive at the gate, a quick scan confirms they are an active member before they head to the course or the driving range.

Making the club more secure

Physical cards are a bit of a nightmare for security. They get lost, they get lent to friends, and they often sit in a drawer for years. A wallet pass is different because it’s tied to the member’s phone. We’ve found that people are far more likely to notice a missing phone than a missing plastic card.

If a member does lose their device, we can disable that specific pass from a remote location. It’s a much more reliable way to make sure that only the people who are supposed to be in your gym or on your courts are actually there.

A better experience for the member

We believe that the best tech is the stuff you don't have to think about. Members love the convenience of having their pass on their phone because they always have their phone with them. There’s no more digging through a wallet or waiting at a reception desk for someone to find a spare key.

Imagine a tennis club where you can just walk up to the gate, tap your phone, and start your game. You don't have to queue, and you don't have to talk to anyone if you don't want to. It makes the whole visit feel much more natural.

More than just a digital key

While opening doors is the main job, sports clubs are using these passes for plenty of other things:

• Handling rewards and bar tabs: Members can seamlessly charge purchases to their account, earning points or rewards with each visit.
• Keeping everyone in the loop: Instantly deliver updates, announcements, and offers directly to members' smartphones, ensuring they never miss important club news.
• Controlling specific areas: Passes can open doors and gates, controlling who goes where within the club's facilities.

A swimming club, for example, might use these passes to let people into the changing rooms while also letting them buy a coffee at the cafe. It’s about making the entire day at the club feel like one smooth movement.

How to get started

If you want to start issuing wallet passes at your club, we’re here to help you get it right.

We’d love to have a chat about what you’re building—Book a Demo Today or drop us a line at hello@passflow.io.