Someone interested in golf management as a career can take many different paths to reach their goal. You could get into golf management as part of a wider baccalaureate program, or a former pro golfer can decide to get into golf management with very little classroom training.
Golf Management
If you like to golf, a career in golf management might seem like a no-brainer. Many people choose golf management as a career track because it affords them the opportunity to play and teach the game they love.
Many other duties are required when managing an entire golf course. Concession management, course finances and course maintenance keep the professional at a golf course busy.
Concessions
Have you ever noticed on the golf course how the beverage cart driver just happens to arrive right at your thirstiest? Part of this requires planning. The beverage cart person generally heads for the middle of the front nine or back nine to start serving beverages.
Why? Your location on the course has you at the farthest point from the clubhouse. The beverage cart driver would not make money and tips if they caught you on the 18th green.
The head professional of the golf course needs to plan strategies like this to maximize revenue. If the head pro can’t make the course profitable, it could fold.
Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable
While some large golf facilities might have accountants or bookkeepers, a smaller golf course might rely on the golf course manager/head professional to keep up with accounts. Many items such as food and beverage, golfing equipment and accessories and golf clothing need to be stocked in a golf clubhouse, and these items need to be paid for. Sales might require the course to charge the buyer’s credit account.
Keeping good books, knowing when the money comes in each month as well as what goes out can determine the success of a golf course.
Course Maintenance
No one will want to play your golf course if it is in bad shape. Most courses have groundskeepers who mow the fairways, keep the rough and deep rough in line and maintain the greens. These groundskeepers need direction from management, and your desired vision of the course needs to be communicated to the groundskeeping staff.
What type of fairway grass will be used? Aeration, which helps to relieve soil compaction on greens, needs to be scheduled at certain times. These questions can determine what condition your course is in throughout a hot summer.
Golf Lessons
When managing a golf course, especially as a PGA professional, you can expect to give quite a few lessons to amateurs. An excellent source of income, golf lessons also represent an effective way to get free advertising through word of mouth. If your lessons result in better golfers around the area, expect lots of repeat business and new customers.
Since golf lessons generally require only the head professional of the course to use his already acquired skills to teach, they can provide some of the highest profit for a golf course.
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