Golf District Is Changing the Game for Golf Courses | Founder and CEO - Kevin Kalner Ep. 116

Golf District Is Changing the Game for Golf Courses | Founder and CEO - Kevin Kalner Ep. 116

Author: Dustin Sutton August 24, 2026 Duration: 39:05

Golf courses are leaving revenue on the table every single day — and most operators don't even see it happening. In this episode, Kevin Kalner, founder of Golf District, breaks down how his booking platform is bringing dynamic pricing and revenue management to an industry that's been stuck in the past.

Kevin shares his journey from golf enthusiast to startup founder, walking through how COVID-19 accelerated growth across the golf industry, why so many courses are unknowingly losing revenue, and how Golf District's tee time booking platform is solving the perishability problem that's plagued golf courses for decades. We also get into the unsolicited offer feature that's creating a new buying habit for golfers, the real challenges of driving change management and adoption in a legacy industry, and what it takes to build and lead a startup team from the ground up.

Topics covered in this episode:

  • Kevin Kalner's path from golf sales to founding Golf District
  • The evolution of golf courses in San Diego and beyond
  • How COVID-19 changed the trajectory of the golf industry
  • Identifying revenue leakage and pricing inefficiencies at golf courses
  • Building Golf District's dynamic pricing and booking platform
  • How prepaid tee times solve golf's perishability problem
  • The unsolicited offer feature and price discovery in golf
  • Managing change and driving adoption in a traditional industry
  • Lessons on entrepreneurship, team building, and staying motivated
  • Where Golf District is headed next

"Let the content dictate the format."

"Unsolicited offers create a new buying habit in golf."

"The milestones keep us motivated and moving forward."

Resources & links: Golf District — https://www.golfdistrict.com

Kevin Kalner on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkalner

Golf District on Twitter/X — https://twitter.com/GOLFdistrict_

Follow Tools, Talents, and Techniques on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/the3tpod/

Follow the show on Twitter/X — https://twitter.com/the3tpod

Episode music by C€$ on Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww


Dustin Sutton hosts TOOLS TALENTS AND TECHNIQUES, a podcast built on the idea that success in any field is a blend of the right resources, innate abilities, and learned methods. The conversations here roam across a wide landscape, from the concrete strategies of real estate and business to the evolving dynamics of technology and the revealing parallels found in sports. Rather than offering quick tips, each episode settles into a detailed discussion with a genuine leader or innovator, unpacking the specifics of their path. You’ll hear how they’ve scaled ventures, managed personal evolution, and applied financial insights, all framed by their unique experiences. This isn't about abstract theory; it's about the tangible, often hard-won lessons that actually move the needle. The result is a collection of dialogues that feel both broad in scope and deeply practical, whether you're building a company, honing a skill, or simply curious about the mechanics of achievement. Tune into this podcast for those unscripted moments where real strategy and personal insight intersect, providing a useful perspective no matter your own professional arena.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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