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 do I become a golf equipment sales representative?
You could become an Independent Sales Representative. The leading golf equipment companies hire their Sales Reps as exclusive employees. That means that you work for that company only and you may not work for and/or sell another product to your customer base.
How do reciprocal tee times work at a golf club?
If Club B's pro can accommodate you, they schedule a tee time reservation for you. Reciprocals are always arranged by the respective clubs' golf staff, typically the head professional or director of golf, although if the clubs have a particularly close relationship, an assistant pro or golf shop clerk can often make the arrangements.
Do reciprocal golf clubs charge more than members?
While these reciprocals may cost the golfer just a cart fee, they could also cost more. It's not unusual for semiprivate clubs and public courses to offer golf for reciprocal club players at a rate that's lower than what's offered to the public but higher than a member cart fee.
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.
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.
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.
How to cut 10% of expenses?
The easiest way to cut 10% from expenses is to layoff the reps. To keep his job, a golf sales rep has to be successful and even that can be out of his control…. 1. Success Depends on the retailers. Most sales reps would like to think that once he has sold to the retailer, his job is done.
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.
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.
How much does it cost to regrip a golf club?
Some of the tools you'll need to regrip your clubs. Regripping your clubs can be expensive. Most clubfitters charge somewhere in the neighborhood of $2 to $3 to regrip each club, which is a pretty good payday for what takes probably 2-3 minutes per club to do.
How to apply grip tape solvent?
The best way to apply grip tape solvent is to add it to the inside of the grip first. Then, swish it around so it covers the inside completely (the guys in the videos I’ve linked to above both do this, so don’t miss it), then drizzle the solvent out of the grip over the grip tape. This both applies solvent to the grip and grip tape, and actually reduces the amount of solvent you use. And prevents the dreaded half-stick grip which almost always means you have to cut it off and start again with a new grip.
What are Tour Velvet Plus 4 grips?
As you can see by the photo, I’m installing Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet Plus 4 grips onto my irons. These grips are called “Plus 4” because the lower hand region of the grip is built thicker to feel as though there are four wraps of tape underneath. Depending on what your preference is, you may want one or several layers of tape under your grips, either on the whole grip or the upper or lower areas. For me, even though I’m using midsized Tour Velvet Plus 4s, I still want two layers of tape under the whole grip.
What happens if you don't hold your golf club properly?
Then you learn good posture and setup. If you don’t start in a good position, the body can’t perform the swing motion properly. With a good grip and a sound setup posture, I believe anyone can learn a functional golf swing pretty easily.
How wide is a golf ball?
The ball is 1.68 inches in diameter, and the functional striking area on a golf club is about 1.5-inches wide. If you vary in your setup by even 3/4 inch, you have imposed a serious obstacle to success. If you do nothing else to improve your golf game, learn how to set up the same way every time.
Is golf a hitting action?
Learn to “swing” the club, not “hit” the ball. This sounds simple, but the golf swing is not a hitting action: it’s a swinging action. The baseball hitter is just that, because the ball is in a different place every time – high, low, inside, outside, curve. He has to rely on quick eye-hand coordination.
Is Wishon grips better than air compressor?
Wishon believes it is better and easier to install grips with an air compressor. However, it is something that club makers only do when they have a lot of business, because of the cost of the compressor and the special nozzle device required to attach to the air hose to blow the grips on with the compressed air.
How to get better at golfing?
Go softer on the shaft. Way more often than not, beginning golfers are using shafts that are too stiff. When the flex of a shaft is too stiff, it hinders your ability to square the face properly and to hit the ball with enough height and spin. Take an honest look at your driver distance.
What does offset mean in golf clubs?
Offset, which essentially means the face is setback from hosel, will help you to square the face more easily at impact instead of leaving it open and slicing the ball. This could even mean hitting a consistent draw.
How do you know if a wedge has a high bounce?
How do you know whether a wedge has “high bounce?”. Most wedges are stamped with a number, aside from just degrees . You’ll see an 8, 10, 12 or possibly 14 printed on the club. As a beginner, it’s best to seek the highest bounce number you can find .
How many yards does a pitching wedge go?
Maybe your pitching wedge goes 125 yards and your sand wedge only goes 95 yards. A 30-yard gap is too large, so you’ll want to find an attack wedge that fits in the middle. Or maybe you want to use two drivers, or an extra hybrid. There are no firm rules, aside from only being allowed to use 14 clubs.
Which is better, a wide sole or a wider sole?
More bounce for better contact. When it comes to the soles of your irons and wedges, wider is probably better. A wide sole with a lot of bounce will keep the club from digging too much into the turf, and effectively make the club more forgiving.
How far can you fly a S Flex golf ball?
Take an honest look at your driver distance. If you’re flying the ball less than 200 yards, it’s likely that an “S-Flex” is too stiff. When it comes to the stiffness of your golf shafts, it’s important to leave the ego behind.
Can you use a spatula to shoot par?
Tiger Woods could probably shoot par with a spatula and a broom, whereas putting the proper tools in the hands of a beginner can have a dramatic effect on their score.
What is reciprocal golf?
Reciprocal play, or "reciprocals," refers to an agreement between private, members-only country clubs to allow their members to play one another's golf courses on an arranged basis. Not every private golf club has reciprocals with other private golf clubs, but many do.
Do you tip at a reciprocal club?
When visiting a reciprocal club, you are treated as a member and usually pay only what a member would pay—a cart fee or caddie fee (plus tip). You are also are expected to tip the service staff if the club allows tipping (some private clubs do not).
Understanding The Process
Education
- While a college degree is not required to become a golf salesperson, most of the major manufacturers (e.g. Ping, Acushnet (Titleist/FootJoy), TaylorMade, and Callaway) typically prefer candidates who possess a four-year degree. Majors to Consider: Business Administration and/or Marketing, however, any four-year degree in any discipline is sufficient. Your college choice is ne…
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…
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!