Pro Shop Job Tips

Follow Thread

By Quinn J

  • 0 Likes
  • 15 Replies
  1. Just got a job a course near me (I’m about and hour outside Philadelphia) and I will be working in the Pro Shop for now and I’ll get to enjoy free golf and discounted equipment which is a great upside. Anybody have any tips to make my job as good as possible ? Love hearing from the TT family.

    Thanks, Quinn

  2. John M

    John M
    Asheville, North Carolina

    Military
    A couple of suggestions: learn the names of the regulars and great them by name, if it’s slow, find something to do-fold shirts, vacuum the floor, just don’t stand around, show up for work early, never gossip and always be willing to learn. I can guarantee that the person who is the a Director if Golf started in a job just like yours. Good luck!
  3. John M

    John M
    Asheville, North Carolina

    Military
    Please pardon the typos, I made the mistake of typing this on my phone on the train.
  4. Awesome advice John. Really appreciate it.
  5. Solid advice John M.
  6. Scott D

    Scott D
    Lethbridge,

    Great advise John. The only thing I would add to John's advise is smile when creating the members. Good Luck Quinn and enjoy every minute of the job.
  7. Barry S

    Barry S
    Oakville, ON

    First off, congratulations on getting the job. The perks are great, but more importantly is to show that you are coming into work because you want to , and not because you are getting free golf. Being respectful, polite and attentive will get you a long way in anything you take on. Good luck!
  8. Steve S

    Steve S
    Tuckerton, NJ

    Congrats on your new job. The TT members gave some great advice. I've worked at the same course at the Jersey for 23 years and still love the job. I'm sure you will too.
    Play Well,
    Steve S.
  9. Thomas Y

    Thomas Y
    Wenham, MA

    John M has provided some useful insight here! As a (non-professional) golf staff member for almost 30 years, please keep in mind you are in a customer service position. Be happy and positive; try to empathize with people having a bad day or experience for whatever reason even if it is not due to anything remotely connected to you. Understand that sometimes you'll need to get back to a golfer with an answer that isn't readily at hand - do follow up! As you build a reputation as a knowledgeable staff member, understand that it takes a long time to build your reputation and only one incident to ruin your reputation.
    Last, try not to exceed reasonable access to the practice areas or golf course, particularly if you are at a private facility. Nothing is worse from a member perspective than having to wait for a space to warm up, or a tee time, than because a staff member is using (or overusing) the facility they are paying to access! I'm sure your head professional will explain any procedures before a problem rises.

    In my experiences, I've never had a co-worker ask an 'honest, stupid' question. Better to know for sure than to make an unintended mistake and need to spend more time to correct it.
  10. Lance P

    Lance P
    Hillsborough, NC

    I would advise you just to be nice...nothing sets an early bad tone more than meeting a surly worker in the Pro Shop.
    Good luck with your new job and enjoy your time combining work with passion.
  11. Rob R

    Rob R
    Chicago, IL

    The guys of TT have some very solid advice for you. I just want to reiterate to you a few things from above:
    Be early, don't call off, keep busy, act professionally, don't be afraid to say that you do not have the answer to a question, let the person know that you will find the answer and get back to them a.s.a.p.

    Quinn- good luck and enjoy your new job.
  12. Mike O

    Mike O
    Riverside, CA

    Military

    Rob R said:

    The guys of TT have some very solid advice for you. I just want to reiterate to you a few things from above:
    Be early, don't call off, keep busy, act professionally, don't be afraid to say that you do not have the answer to a question, let the person know that you will find the answer and get back to them a.s.a.p.

    Quinn- good luck and enjoy your new job.

    Rob is right about everyone giving you some great advice and I have one more point to add to his comment about calling back people A.S.A.P. Sometimes the person that you are trying to get the answer to the members question from is not available or slow to respond. Well the member does not know this and if he is left waiting he may think it is you that is slow. I have always made it a point that I will call back my customers and let them know that I am still waiting to get them the answer to their question. This way they know that I am still working on it and they have not been forgotten about. Good luck and enjoy the new job.
  13. Tom B

    Tom B
    Northborough, MA

    Quinn, if you take the suggestions left here by TT members, you'll do fine and move along far. That's the great thing about being on TT with the great folks who contribute here. Best of luck with the position now and going forward. And remember one of the best pieces of advice here was that it takes a long time to build a good reputation, but only a moment to ruin it. Act professional
  14. Great advice.
  15. 19hole

    19hole
    Reading, MA

    You don't say if it is a private or daily fee course. If it is private, learn everyone's name! Be sure to use Mr/Miss/MRS/Dr as appropriate. If a daily fee, you will have a lot of regulars. Learn their names and use them. It will make then fell welcome and gives the shop a private course feel.

    An important thing to remember is that there is always something that needs to be done in a golf shop. Folding shirts/sweaters after they have been looked at. Sorting them by size. Re=packing gloves that have been tried on and sorting them by size. Vacuuming, vacuuming, vacuuming! A clean shop looks professional and is welcoming to your customers. If you get deliveries, don't leave the boxes in the shop. Move them to a back room as quickly as possible, they just make the shop look a mess.

    Best of luck!
  16. Congrats Quinn. This is my second year working at a course and I enjoy it! I go to work because it's fun, not to pay the bills since it's a part-time job. Have a friendly, positive attitude - I can think of a few courses that I won't go back to due to the person behind the counter being a jerk. You are the first impression of their experience at the course!

Please login to post a comment.

Sign In

Haven't registered for Team Titleist yet?

Sign Up