Full Answer
How to become a golf sales representative?
This is my “How To Guide” for Becoming a Golf Sales Representative. The first plan follows my path – working for just one company – into the golf sales game. The Alternate Path offers a guide to entering the business as an Independent Salesman (obtaining multiple lines of golf related products from different companies).
What is it like to be a golf Rep?
Part customer service, part informative source, and part equipment-crack pusher for the gear heads; golf reps can be the difference between a slow quarter and the golf’s next big thing. While the job as a sales rep is a sought after position in the golf industry, it doesn’t always offer the glamorous insider lifestyle that some suggest it does.
How can I get a job at a golf club?
During high school or college, take a summer job at a golf club and learn as much as possible about its operation. Watch the club professional at work, particularly how he interacts with the members or guests, and how he supervises staff. Ask questions and learn as much as you can. Develop customer service skills.
How do I become a certified golf pro?
In order to obtain this certification, however, golf pro candidates must endure years of training and hard work. From teaching to managing tours, potential pros must exhibit a high degree of competency in every aspect of the industry.
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How much do Callaway Golf reps make?
The average Callaway Golf Sales Rep earns an estimated $234,151 annually, which includes an estimated base salary of $134,151 with a $100,000 bonus. Callaway Golf's Sales Rep compensation is $123,633 more than the US average for a Sales Rep. Sales Rep salaries at Callaway Golf can range from $185,000 - $250,000.
What do golf reps do?
As a golf sales rep, you promote the company you work for and the equipment or services they offer. You can work for a private club, a product manufacturer, or even the PGA. You talk with one customer at a time to promote your products, encourage membership at a club, or increase attendance to a tournament.
Where is Titleist headquarters?
Fairhaven, MassachusettsTitleist (pronounced /ˈtaɪtəlɪst/ "title-ist") is an American brand name of golf equipment produced by the Acushnet Company, headquartered in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, United States.
How much do golf club makers make?
Salary Ranges for Golf Club Makers The salaries of Golf Club Makers in the US range from $21,114 to $63,560 , with a median salary of $28,360 . The middle 50% of Golf Club Makers makes between $25,910 and $27,857, with the top 83% making $63,560.
Do golf fitters make commission?
Great compensation for the golf industry. Master Fitters earn a competitive base salary, commission on all sales (uncapped), and a store performance bonus.
Is FootJoy owned by Titleist?
4. FootJoy comes under the umbrella of Acushnet Holdings Company, which also owns Titleist and Scotty Cameron. Acushnet acquired FootJoy in 1985.
Is Scotty Cameron owned by Titleist?
Scotty Cameron is part of the Acushnet Company brand portfolio since 2011, when the corporation acquired it from Fortune Brands....Scotty Cameron.Product typeGolf puttersProduced byDon CameronCountryU.S.Introduced1991 in CaliforniaRelated brandsTitleist5 more rows
What does FJ stand for on Titleist hats?
FootJoy CommunityFootJoy Community - FJ Community - Sale on Titleist/FJ Golf Hats.
How to become a golf sales rep without college?
A good education and top-notch networking skills can provide an edge. Get a four-year college degree. It is possible to become a golf sales rep without graduating from college, but the competition for jobs is so keen that a degree is almost a necessity for the best positions.
Where is the PGA Merchandise Show?
Attend the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. The annual show takes place in January and is the largest gathering of golf industry professionals in the world, with virtually all the manufacturers represented. Golf is very much a people business, and face-to-face contact is important for job seekers. Some sales representatives are hired on ...
Is golf a people business?
Golf is very much a people business, and face-to-face contact is important for job seekers. Some sales representatives are hired on the spot at the show. If possible, attend the show for one or two years before you are ready to take a job. The early networking could give you an edge.
Is golf equipment competitive?
The golf equipment industry is very competitive, and the manufacturers are always looking for revenue-focused sales reps who can help improve the bottom line. Despite that, the competition for openings can be fierce, and often the positions go to the most tenacious and eager candidates. A good education and top-notch networking skills can provide ...
What does it mean to be a golf sales rep?
The ultimate reality is that being a golf sales rep often means being an overworked under-paid and under-appreciated babysitter, psychologist and occasional whipping boy…w ho just happens to give away plenty of free golf stuff. Make sure to get your handout.
How much commission do independent reps get?
Independent reps will carry several lines to make the most of each trip they make to a respective account. They can get anywhere from 3 to 10% commission on sales. Everything is negotiable and there is no norm. Commission rates might vary based on re-orders, new sales, or big box accounts.
Why do sales reps become buddy-buddy?
A good sales rep will become buddy-buddy with his or her internal customer service rep to ensure a good working relationship with corporate. That goes for independent reps as well. If a rep falls out of good grace with his inside contact, it will eventually strain the relationship with his accounts.
Why are reps important in retail?
However, the good reps will help ensure sales execution at a retail level. This means having car stock to show the client, product knowledge visits to train the retail staff, displays to engage the consumer, and plenty of freebies for customers and staff. Retailers need help.
What are the two types of sales reps?
There are two types of sales reps: independent and corporate. The independent reps usually carry several different lines and either work with a distributor or directly with the manufacturer. These reps are essentially independent contractors that are paid commission and are 1099’d at the end of the year.
Can a sales rep blame his company?
The Sales Rep Can Never Blame His Company . Okay so a lied, while the customer and retailer are always right, the company is never wrong. This means that the sales rep is getting it from both ends. The quickest way to get legal involved is to take a stance against your company in front of the customer.
Can a corporate salute a sales rep?
Corporate will not salute. Some companies are quirkier than others and some of those policies can create a divide between the company and sales rep. The Approval process for custom logos, pricing, credits, and order processing are just a few examples where the sales rep might get beat up in the field.
How to become a PGA member?
One of the requirements for gaining membership in the PGA is to pass a PGA Playing Ability Test. Gain PGA membership through university training.
What is a golf professional called?
The position may also be called head golf professional. Clubs may have golf professionals on staff called teaching professionals, who specialize in golf instruction for members or guests. Get started early. During high school or college, take a summer job at a golf club and learn as much as possible about its operation.
What is a golf club director?
At large clubs and golf resorts, this position is called director of golf, reflecting the responsibility for all aspects of the facility.
Do golf course professionals work?
Warning. Though a golf course can be a fun place to work, club professionals do not have an easy job. They work long hours, particularly during the club’s busiest seasons, and the pressures to operate the club efficiently are similar to any other retail business. References. Professional Golfers Association. Tips.
How many hours of experience do you need to become a PGA professional?
Amidst all of this you will also be expected to get thirty-six hours of experience. These experience hours can be collected through a wide variety of ways, including college courses. Otherwise, you can earn one credit a month working alongside a certified PGA professional.
How long do you have to be a registered alien to play golf?
If you are not a citizen you will need to be a registered alien. The Pro Golf Association will also require that you have six months of relevant employment experience at the time of registration. You can find an extensive list of what jobs they consider relevant on their website.
Is golf a transient job?
The life of a golf professional is not, by definition, transient, but there are also a limited number of teaching jobs available. Not all golf courses employ teaching professionals at all, and the ones that do usually only keep one on the payroll at a time. If all of the golf courses in your area are already fully staffed you may need ...
Can everyone be a golf pro?
The truth of the matter is that not everyone can be a golf professional. If you play a few times a month and struggle to break bogey, chances are the life of a golf pro probably is not for you. Disappointing, I know, but don’t fret too much. There are plenty of careers in golf that don’t hinge on your ability to teach or play the game.
Is it easy to become a golfer?
Becoming a golf professional (the teaching kind, not the Tiger Woods kind) isn’t easy but that doesn’t mean that you can’t do it. There are plenty of people who are paying their bills by their love of golf and with the proper practice and knowledge, you can certainly be one of them. If you want to make money doing the thing that you love the most, ...
Do golf courses have a pro on staff?
While some golf retail stores will keep a pro on staff this is somewhat rarer, and generally also less lucrative than working for a course.
Is becoming a golf pro right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
How to become a Golf Pro
Requirements for becoming a golf pro vary with the type of position desired. For touring professionals, there is usually no certification required other than a PGA or Ladies Professional Golfer's Association (LPGA) membership.
What is the best way to become a golf instructor?
Becoming a golf instructor requires a unique blend of an analytical mind and an outgoing personality that works well with people.#N#An analytical mind helps to make judgments on a golfer’s swing and come up with a lesson plan that addresses their primary difficulties.#N#An effusive personality helps because people respond to training when they feel the instructor understands their unique situation and is ready to work with them closely to build the correct skills and outline steps to improvement.#N#This does not mean that you have to be an entertainer.
What are the different types of golf instructors?
Two Types. There are generally two types of golf instructors: – Club professional. Traditionally, the club professional was responsible for giving lessons, repairing clubs, working in the pro shop, ordering merchandise and selling product.
Why is it important to attend golf conferences?
Attend golf camps and conferences. There are two benefits to attending golf conferences: – Knowledge and skills. You will learn a ton at sessions. – Contacts. Some people believe this is more important: you make lots of good contacts in casual settings outside the conference meetings.
What are social skills in golf?
Social Skills. However, you are working with people, and likability and warmth are qualities that will go a long way in a teaching environment. At the end of the day, golf is a social sport, and utilizing social skills to improve golfer’s games is a useful teaching tool.
Why is it important to compete in golf?
Competing will help you become a better instructor, because you become intimately familiar with the pressures of the game. While you are more advanced than your students, every golfer feels tension and nerves. Winning golf tournaments also lends significant credibility to your teaching.
Can you be a golf instructor outside?
While becoming a golf instructor may seem like a dream job for many people, keep in mind you will be outside much of the time. Depending on the part of the world you live in, this could mean working in inclement weather. Even when the sun is shining, many states are humid outside much of the year.
Do golf pros play on the PGA Tour?
However, most golf pros do not play on the PGA Tour. They are the managers of golf shops and provide lessons to amateur golfers of all levels. If you are interested in becoming a golf instructor, there are several steps you can take.
What is a golf sales rep?
As a golf sales rep, you promote the company you work for and the equipment or services they offer. You can work for a private club, a product manufacturer, or even the PGA. You talk with one customer at a time to promote your products, encourage membership at a club, or increase attendance to a tournament.
What does "sales" mean in golf?
... sales, as well answer telephones, schedule tee times, and handle questions relating to golf. They ... as representative of the Company to the public;-Comply with all of the Company's policies ...
Understanding The Process
After Graduation
- There are multiple ways to get yourself hired by a Golf Manufacturer. I took a road less traveled. I accepted a job with an independent golf company with the intention of gaining some quick experience. My hope was to impress a larger company by showing them my commitment to becoming a Golf Sales Rep. After a year of grinding it out on the road, quite far from home, I hea…
The Alternative Process
- While hard work and good luck played a role in my rise to Field Sales work, it’s also true that I spent five years in a not-so-satisfying position in an effort to reach my goal. I look back on that experience with pride and affection, but I am certainly glad that it’s behind me. If the slow and steady route to a Field Sales Rep position doesn’t appeal to you, there is another way. You could …
Picking Up Your Lines
- Unless you are already well connected to the inner circle of the golf business in your area, there is only one place to go when looking to find independent golf product lines, the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL. The PGA Merchandise Show, which is held at the end of every January, is the single largest gathering of the golf industry manufacturers. There is a “Positions Available” boar…
Step 3: Decision Time
- Now that you understand the two different paths to becoming a Golf Sales Representative, it’s time to make a decision. There are positives and negatives to any job. What you need to do is determine what is important to you and what would make you happy. Here’s a list of Pros and Cons of each position:
Last Word
- Do you want the freedom that comes with being an independent rep, or the stability and typically well-established position that comes with working for one of the larger companies? Are benefits important, or do you feel you can be successful enough to foot the healthcare and retirement plans on your own? The choice is yours. GOOD LUCK!