Trade Schools with Golf Management Programs
Many people who enjoy golf dream of finding a way to turn their love of the game into a career. While very few will get to play professionally, there are other options available in this niche. From designing clubs to maintaining the turf on fairways and greens, the sport provides many opportunities to earn a living.
Golf managers are responsible for overseeing the operations of a course. Although workers can get experience on the job, most leadership roles require more education. Getting a degree from a golf management school will help increase the likelihood of landing a position in this competitive field.
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What is Golf Management?
Golf courses, resorts, and country clubs are part of the hospitality sector, which cares for the needs of people while they enjoy leisure activities. Public courses allow anyone to play. Other places may require a membership or overnight stay to use the facility. Many also offer food and beverages or have a pro shop that carries golf equipment.
There are many workers that help run a course. Some of the different golf management jobs include director of golf, general manager, head golf professional, tournament director, or golf instructor. Although each position requires special skills, they all must understand the sport and how a business should operate.
Prospects can increase their chances of getting a good job by completing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Some golf management schools have partnerships with the Professional Golf Association (PGA). These programs provide hands-on experience through an internship and job placement help after graduation.
What are a Golf Manager’s Job Duties?
Golf managers are responsible for maintaining the overall operations of a golf course or country club. Some of the responsibilities they may have include:
- Hiring and training staff
- Maintain equipment
- Teach golf classes
- Monitor course conditions
- Plan special events
- Market and promote the business
What Types of Skills Should Golf Managers Possess?
Managing a golf course requires several abilities. These leaders need to be comfortable interacting with many different kinds of people. This includes their staff, club members or patrons, vendors, students, and sometimes celebrities. A desire to make customers and employees happy and good communication skills are a must.
Technical knowledge about the clubs, maintenance equipment, and gameplay is also important. In order to handle the operations of a course, managers need to understand factors like how long an 18-hole round typically takes, how often turf needs mowed, and what items customers might look for in the pro shop. This helps with scheduling, staffing, and ordering inventory.
Keeping organized records is also vital to running golf course. Writing down reservations for tee times or tournaments prevents overcrowding that could frustrate guests. Human resource papers must remain locked up to protect employee privacy and so they are easy to locate. Proper filing also ensures prompt payment of product invoices and other bills.
How Do Golf Managers Maintain Their Workspace?
One of the most important parts of this job is the upkeep of the course itself. Golf managers must hire knowledgeable groundskeeping staff to care for the turf and maintain other landscaping. Sprinkler systems and carts have to work well and guest areas like snack bars and pro shops should be clean at all times.
Indoors, managers have to make sure daytime employees and the cleaning crew vacuum, dust, and pick up often. Works should organize and file to avoid messy counters. Restrooms and areas where players may track mud and grass inside also require frequent attention to look their best.
Why Do Golf Managers Need to Have Good Record Keeping Skills?
Golf management careers require careful tracking of expenses, payroll, inventories, sales, and membership levels. These professionals also schedule tee times for guests and coordinate big events like tournaments. Keeping information organized can help workers avoid costly mistakes and ensure visitors are happy with their experience on the course.
How Do Golf Managers Promote Their Work?
People with golf management careers network often with others in the field. By attending and hosting events, they are able to discuss their accomplishments and stay on top of the latest trends. This also helps them to make new connections and learn about other potential opportunities for work.
What are Useful Skills for People in This Field?
- Familiarity with bookkeeping and finance
- Organizational abilities
- Marketing or advertising experience
- Knowledge about the sport and equipment
- Understanding of human resources procedures
- Attention to detail
- Ability to communicate with many types of people
- Strong record keeping skills
- A customer service mindset
- Ability to play the game well
Are There Special Requirements for Golf Management Jobs?
In order to get golf management jobs, prospects need to have prior experience and familiarity with the sport. Many professionals begin their careers in other roles within the industry. Retail sales employees in a pro shop, caddies, and course maintenance personnel can learn valuable skills that may help them advance to supervisory positions.
Some trade schools, colleges, and universities offer certificate, associate’s, and bachelor’s programs. Golf managements schools teach students about the different types of clubs, their design, and how to select the appropriate size for a player. Courses also cover the game’s history, rules, and techniques for teaching others how to play.
In addition to classes focused on golf, prospects also learn basic business and management skills. The PGA partners with several colleges to offer a special Golf Management University Program. These degrees take four to five years to complete and require a playing ability test and exam.
What is
the Outlook of Golf Management Jobs?
Opportunities in the golf industry vary a lot based on location. In areas where the weather stays warm for most of the year, hopefuls will often find more openings than places where the seasons change more often. Those who earned their golf management degree through a PGA affiliated program can also receive placement assistance to help them find work.
The type of facility and a person’s level of experience also affect earning potential. Salaries for golf management jobs range from as low as $29K per year to over $80K. Most workers make around $50K annually. Employees at private courses like country clubs and PGA tour professionals tend to make the most.
Full time staff are often eligible for benefits. These packages may include options like medical and dental coverage, life insurance, retirement plans, vacation pay, employee discounts, and sick time. They may also receive bonuses for meeting sales or membership goals. Many get to play golf for free or have the opportunity to participate in tournaments as well.
What Should Workers Expect?
Because golf is an outdoor sport, managers split their time each day between the office and the course. Inside they work on tasks like hiring, budgeting, or planning league or tournament events. They also go outside to check the condition of the greens and fairways or monitor maintenance activities.
Where Can Prospects Find Work?
Job seekers with golf management degrees may discover employment opportunities in places like:
- Country Clubs
- Public Courses
- Resorts
- Driving Ranges
Does Golf Management Require Travel?
Depending on the role, people in this field may have to travel for their job. Course managers occasionally attend trade shows or conferences to keep up on the latest trends in equipment or golf apparel. Tournament workers also need to visit other locations to prepare for or participate in games.
Do Golf Managers Have Any Other Options?
Golf management careers may lead to other rewarding jobs within the industry. Some can find positions on the tournament circuit as a rules official, caddie, or director. Others work selling equipment in a pro shop, signing up members at a private course, or teaching people how to play.
What are Alternate Careers for Golf Managers?
Golf managers also make excellent event coordinators. People with this profession help plan and organize meetings, conventions, nonprofit fundraisers, and other special events like weddings. Many work for professional or charity organizations or venues like convention centers and hotels, but some are self-employed. The role requires many of the same skills and earnings are also comparable.