AEI Corporation

On a cool fall evening, the clubhouse patio should be one of the busiest places at a country club. Golfers are finishing their rounds, families are gathering for dinner, and members are enjoying drinks while looking out over the course. Yet at many clubs, those outdoor tables begin to empty as soon as the temperature drops.

It doesn't have to be that way.

With the right patio heaters, country clubs can keep outdoor spaces comfortable well into the evening and throughout much of the year. Restaurant patios stay busy longer, poolside lounge areas remain inviting after sunset, and outdoor event spaces become more versatile regardless of the season.

For club owners and architects, patio heaters are about much more than keeping guests warm. They help maximize investments in outdoor amenities, improve the member experience, and create spaces that people naturally want to use.

Whether you're planning a new clubhouse or updating an existing property, choosing the right outdoor heating solution can make a noticeable difference in how members experience your club.

Why Outdoor Amenities Matter More Than Ever

Today's country clubs are much more than golf courses.

Members expect a destination where they can spend an afternoon, an evening, or even an entire day. A typical club may include championship golf, swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, restaurants, bars, outdoor lounges, and beautifully landscaped patios.

Many of those amenities share one thing in common. They are designed to bring people together.

Members gather after a round of golf to enjoy a meal. Families spend afternoons by the pool. Friends meet on the clubhouse patio for drinks. Wedding guests mingle outside between dinner and dancing.

Unfortunately, these outdoor spaces often become underused once temperatures cool.

A patio that sits empty for four or five months each year is not delivering the full value of the investment made to build it.

Commercial patio heaters help solve that problem by extending the usability of outdoor amenities during cool mornings, evenings, and much of the fall and winter in many climates.

Patio Heaters Help Every Area of the Club

One of the biggest advantages of commercial patio heaters is their versatility. Almost every outdoor space at a country club can benefit from thoughtful heating.

Imagine members finishing eighteen holes just as the sun begins to set. Instead of rushing indoors, they settle onto the clubhouse patio overlooking the course. A few strategically placed heaters keep everyone comfortable while preserving the open-air atmosphere that makes the space so enjoyable.

The same idea applies across the property.

Restaurant patios become usable for dinner service long after temperatures begin to cool. Instead of losing outdoor seating at sunset, clubs can continue welcoming guests outside while offering the same comfortable dining experience.

Pool decks also benefit. Even when members aren't swimming, they still enjoy relaxing beside the water, reading a book, or talking with friends. Patio heaters help those spaces remain inviting during cooler mornings and evenings.

Event spaces are another excellent example.

Country clubs host everything from weddings and anniversary celebrations to holiday parties, graduation receptions, corporate meetings, and charity fundraisers. Guests naturally drift outdoors during these events. Comfortable patio spaces encourage people to stay outside longer rather than crowding into indoor areas once the temperature begins to fall.

Every additional hour that outdoor amenities remain comfortable increases their value to both members and the club itself.

Why Infrared Patio Heaters Work So Well Outdoors

When people hear the term patio heater, they often assume the heater simply warms the surrounding air.

Commercial infrared patio heaters work differently.

Rather than heating the air, they emit safe, invisible infrared light that warms people and nearby surfaces directly. The process is very similar to standing in sunlight on a cool day. You feel warm even though the surrounding air remains cool.

This is one of the reasons infrared technology has become the preferred choice for commercial outdoor spaces, including restaurants, multifamily communities, wineries, breweries, and country clubs.

Because the heat is directed toward people instead of the air, it is much less affected by light wind. That's exactly what makes infrared heating so effective for outdoor environments.

Members feel comfortable faster, energy is used more efficiently, and outdoor seating remains enjoyable without enclosing the patio.

Choosing Between Mushroom Heaters and Horizontal Heaters

Country clubs generally choose between two styles of commercial patio heaters: mushroom heaters and horizontal heaters.

Both use infrared technology. Both provide reliable outdoor comfort.

The difference between mushroom and horizontal heaters, is how they distribute heat and where they perform best.

Many country clubs actually use both throughout the property because different outdoor spaces have different heating requirements.

Neither option is universally better.

The best choice depends entirely on how the space will be used.

Mushroom Heaters Create Comfortable Gathering Spaces

Few pieces of outdoor equipment are more recognizable than mushroom heaters.

Their signature round reflector sends infrared heat outward in every direction, naturally creating a comfortable gathering area around the heater.

That makes them especially effective in places where people tend to mingle instead of remaining seated.

Clubhouse patios.

Pool decks.

Outdoor cocktail areas.

Golf course viewing spaces.

Members waiting for friends to finish a round often gather around mushroom heaters without even realizing it. The warmth simply makes the space more inviting.

Commercial mushroom heaters are available in both natural gas and propane models, giving clubs flexibility based on available utilities.

Installation options are equally versatile.

Depending on the application, mushroom heaters can be:

• Permanently mounted in a post hole on the ground
• On a sturdy base plate that can be secured to the ground with brackets
• Suspended overhead using only the heater head
• Used as portable propane heater where permanent installation is impractical

Control options range from simple manual ignition systems requiring no electrical connection to automated 24 VAC control systems that integrate with wall switches, timers, or scheduled operation.

Automatic fuel shutoff safety systems provide an additional layer of protection, while durable commercial construction helps ensure years of dependable operation.

Horizontal Heaters Offer Precision and Clean Design

Some outdoor spaces benefit from more targeted heating.

That's where horizontal heaters excel.

Instead of warming every direction equally, horizontal heaters project infrared heat toward specific seating areas. Restaurant patios are a perfect example.

Rather than heating walkways or unused space, warmth is directed exactly where diners are seated.

Architects also appreciate their appearance.

Mounted beneath patio covers or attached to walls and structural columns, horizontal heaters often blend into the building's architecture. Guests notice the warmth far more than the equipment itself.

Horizontal heaters are available in natural gas, propane, and electric models, making them suitable for nearly any property.

Control options are extensive.

Depending on the model selected, clubs may choose:

• ON/OFF wall switches
• LOW/HIGH/OFF controls
• Temperature dial controls
• Timers
• Scheduled operation
• Remote controls
• Smartphone integration
• Third-party building automation systems
• Zone controls
• Universal control panels capable of managing multiple heaters across larger outdoor areas

For larger country clubs, zone controls are especially valuable.

Instead of heating every patio simultaneously, staff can warm only occupied areas, improving energy efficiency while maintaining guest comfort.

Planning a Successful Patio Heating System

Choosing quality commercial patio heaters is only part of the process.

Good planning makes all the difference.

One of the most common mistakes is selecting heaters before the seating layout has been finalized. In reality, people should determine heater placement, not the other way around.

Start by identifying where members actually spend their time.

Dining tables.

Conversation areas.

Poolside lounges.

Outdoor bars.

Wedding reception patios.

These are the spaces that deserve the greatest heating coverage.

Wind should also be considered early in the planning process. Open golf courses often experience stronger afternoon and evening breezes than enclosed restaurant patios. Understanding prevailing wind conditions helps determine both heater placement and mounting height.

Heat overlap is another detail that is easy to overlook.

Rather than relying on one heater to cover a large space, multiple heaters with overlapping coverage typically create a much more consistent and comfortable environment. Members shouldn't notice hot and cold spots as they move through the patio.

Mounting height matters too.

Installing heaters too high may reduce perceived warmth. Mounting them too low can interfere with sightlines or traffic flow. Proper placement balances comfort, appearance, and safety.

Future maintenance is another consideration that often gets overlooked.

Every commercial heater will eventually require inspection or routine servicing. Leaving adequate access around equipment makes those tasks much easier without disrupting surrounding architecture.

Utility planning should happen early as well.

Natural gas lines, propane infrastructure, and electrical service all influence heater selection. Coordinating those utilities during the design phase often simplifies installation and helps avoid costly changes later.

Many architects also appreciate thinking beyond today's project.

Perhaps the current clubhouse patio seats sixty people, but expansion is planned in a few years. Designing a heating system with future growth in mind can make those additions far easier when the time comes.

As we've discussed in our other articles covering commercial patio heaters and outdoor amenity planning, successful projects rarely come down to choosing one great product. They succeed because every piece of the outdoor space works together.

Common Mistakes When Planning Patio Heating

Even high-quality patio heaters cannot overcome poor planning.

Here are a few of the most common mistakes we see during commercial projects.

Choosing Residential Equipment

Country clubs need commercial-grade equipment designed for continuous outdoor use. Residential heaters often aren't built for the demands of high-traffic hospitality environments.

Installing Too Few Heaters

Trying to stretch the coverage of a small number of heaters usually creates cold spots and inconsistent comfort.

Ignoring Wind Exposure

A patio overlooking the golf course may require a different heating layout than a courtyard protected by surrounding buildings.

Forgetting About Maintenance

Service technicians need safe access to heaters for inspections and routine maintenance. Planning for that access from the beginning saves time later.

Heating Empty Space

The goal is not to warm the entire patio.

The goal is to warm the places where members gather.

Designing around furniture layouts rather than empty concrete almost always produces better results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of patio heater is best for a country club?

It depends on the application. Mushroom heaters work well in open gathering areas, while horizontal heaters are ideal for restaurant patios, covered seating areas, and spaces where heat needs to be directed toward specific locations. Many country clubs use both throughout the property.

Are infrared patio heaters effective outdoors?

Yes. Infrared patio heaters warm people and nearby surfaces directly instead of heating the surrounding air, making them highly effective for outdoor use.

Should a country club choose natural gas, propane, or electric patio heaters?

That depends on available utilities, installation requirements, and the location of each outdoor space. Natural gas is popular for permanent installations, propane provides flexibility, and electric heaters are an excellent choice where electrical service is readily available.

Can commercial patio heaters operate automatically?

Absolutely. Many models integrate with timers, wall switches, schedules, remote controls, zone controls, and building automation systems.

How many patio heaters does a country club need?

There is no universal answer. The number depends on patio size, seating layout, mounting height, local climate, and desired comfort levels. A professional heating plan helps ensure consistent coverage.

Do commercial patio heaters require much maintenance?

Commercial patio heaters require periodic inspection and routine maintenance, but high-quality equipment is designed for long-term outdoor use with minimal upkeep.

Create Outdoor Spaces Members Will Enjoy Throughout the Year

Outdoor amenities are among the most valuable investments a country club makes.

Beautiful patios, restaurant seating, poolside lounges, and event spaces all contribute to the member experience. But they only deliver their full value when people are comfortable using them.

Commercial patio heaters help extend the use of those spaces well beyond warm summer afternoons. Members can enjoy dinner outside after an evening round of golf. Wedding guests can gather comfortably on the patio during a fall reception. Families can relax beside the pool long after the sun begins to set.

The result is a club that feels more welcoming, more versatile, and better equipped to serve its members throughout the year.

Every country club is different. A restaurant patio overlooking the course has very different heating needs than a pool deck or a clubhouse entrance. That's why careful planning is just as important as selecting the right equipment.

At AEI, we've helped architects, developers, and commercial property owners plan outdoor heating solutions for decades. Whether you're evaluating mushroom heaters, horizontal heaters, or a combination of both, our team can help determine the right layout, mounting options, controls, and heater selection for your project.

If you're planning a new country club or upgrading an existing outdoor space, contact AEI to discuss a patio heating solution that keeps members comfortable and your outdoor amenities working harder throughout the year.

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