Golf clubs face a particular test when it comes to wayfinding signage. It’s not just about making sure you’re pointed to the right tee, it’s about creating signs that feel part of the landscape, reflect the character of the club, and stand the test of time. From the entrance to the first tee to the clubhouse, every post and panel has to balance clarity with charm.
That’s why systems like KOPA, KOPA Finger Posts, and Decro wood-effect aluminium products are delivering great wayfinding solutions on golf courses across the country.
Golf clubs are unique environments. Members and guests need clear directions to tees, practice areas, and facilities, while visitors may need reassurance they’re on the right path. But there’s another layer too: signs must complement the course, not clash with it.
“Golf clubs often want something that looks traditional but performs like a modern system,” explains Garrick Dartnell, Head of Marketing at Sign Trade Supplies. “Timber has long been the default, but the maintenance and cost can be a real issue. Our systems are designed to offer the look clubs want without the headaches.”
Fresh look, lasting results
At Girton Golf Club, Cambridge Sign Company recently gave the course’s signage a full refresh using the KOPA system. The result? A smart, consistent look that fits the club’s style and stands up to the elements.
“They loved the oak-look finish of the posts,” says Nick Dowell, Managing Director of Cambridge Sign Company. “It gave them the classic feel they wanted, but with durability built in. The feedback from members has been fantastic – it’s changed the way people experience the course.”
For sign makers, the modular KOPA system keeps things simple. Panels can be easily specified and ordered via the STS Trade+ calculator, kits arrive ready to go, and the design is neat and professional.
Clear direction with finger posts
For clubs with larger grounds, the KOPA Finger Post Kit is proving a useful tool. Wayfinding is critical – especially for visitors navigating unfamiliar courses. The finger post system comes as a complete kit, with everything from posts and blanks to a unique drilling jig that takes the stress out of installation.
“It’s been designed with the sign maker in mind,” Garrick says. “No specialist tools, no overcomplication – just a fast, reliable way to put professional wayfinding in place.”
Posts can be finished in a classic colour or a timber-look Decro finish, meaning they blend seamlessly into a golf course environment.
Why Decro beats timber
Decro’s wood-effect aluminium has become a go-to for sign makers who want the look of oak or teak without the pitfalls of real wood. It’s lighter, easier to install, and requires almost no maintenance.
Timber can warp, crack, or rot outdoors. Decro doesn’t. It delivers the same warm, natural look – but with all the strength and reliability of aluminium. And for clubs thinking about sustainability, Decro is fully recyclable, helping to reduce environmental impact.
What golf clubs should consider
For golf clubs, signage is about far more than pointing someone towards the next hole. It’s about guiding people with confidence, especially visitors who don’t know the course layout. A sign needs to be clear and easy to follow, so players can spend more time focusing on their game than worrying about whether they’ve wandered off track.
But clarity alone isn’t enough. A good sign should feel as though it belongs in its setting. On a golf course, that often means finishes that echo the landscape – timber tones, sympathetic colours, and designs that sit naturally among trees, fairways, and greens. The best signage blends in rather than shouts for attention.
Durability matters just as much. Golf clubs don’t want signs that crack, fade, or demand constant maintenance. The right system needs to stand up to sun, rain, wind, and the occasional stray ball, keeping its look and function year after year without draining the club’s time or budget.
And then there’s consistency. From the entrance board to the finger posts dotted around the course, signage should tell a coherent story about the club. Every detail adds up, reinforcing the character of the place and giving members and guests a sense that they’re somewhere that cares about quality.
Systems like KOPA, Finger Posts and Decro tick all of these boxes, giving clubs a professional, low-maintenance solution that keeps members and visitors happy.
Bringing identity to life
For Girton Golf Club, updating signage wasn’t just about fresh paint – it was about creating a look that matched the club’s heritage and offered a better experience on the ground. As Nick puts it:
“It’s easy to install, looks great, and it lasts. You don’t often find something that works so well across the board.”
And that’s the real value for golf clubs: signage that doesn’t just point the way, but helps bring the character of the course to life.