Assistant pro's

[Fish]

a bit harsh I feel as every store has at least one qualified PGA. I've used 3 near me and been pretty happy with the service overall.

I'm very happy with my local AG store as well, I do my own research before going in, they price match for me, I order, I collect, I play...happy chappy

As for sales, people buy off people, always have done and always will. If you know your onions and can show some enthusiasm in what you are describing to the potential buyer and match his needs, the sale will take care of itself.

However, an excellent driver won't necessarily make a very good transport manager, and visa-versa. As such a low or plus handicap golfer won't make a good assistant Pro or even a good club Pro, he's essentially first and foremost, a good golfer!

 

[bluewolf]

They can play the game but lets face it most of them have no sales skills.Begs the question why are these guys employed to sell when their only skill is being able to play the game well.When I had a short spell at AG I had the highest handicap (and boy did they remind me of this) but out the 5 people employed there I was the third highest seller.Even thou I play off 14 I like to think I have a high knowledge of gear and golf past and present and am expected to listen to local assistants that basically know nothing about the game.If I ran a golf club I would employ somebody who knows the game and not some bratty kid who plays off 5 with no people/sales skills!

Sorry mate, I'm not quite understanding your point. Are you saying that MOST AP's have no selling skills, or that MOST AP''s THAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED" have no selling skills. Also, your post refers to AG, but then diversifies into "Local Golf Clubs". They aren't the same thing really.

Whilst I agree that some AG staff can be "bratty kid who plays off 5 with no people/sales skills", I've also met plenty who are skilled sales people with enough knowledge to satisfy most customers needs (not posters on this forum obviously, we are all knowing demi-gods of technical expertise .)

I should add that most young AP's that I've met at local golf clubs are not planning on a career in sales. Most are attempting to further their golf education before hopefully moving onto the touring circuits. It's not surprising if they aren't up to date with advanced people/sales skills....

 

[shivas irons]

Sorry mate, I'm not quite understanding your point. Are you saying that MOST AP's have no selling skills, or that MOST AP''s THAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED" have no selling skills. Also, your post refers to AG, but then diversifies into "Local Golf Clubs". They aren't the same thing really.

Whilst I agree that some AG staff can be "bratty kid who plays off 5 with no people/sales skills", I've also met plenty who are skilled sales people with enough knowledge to satisfy most customers needs (not posters on this forum obviously, we are all knowing demi-gods of technical expertise .)

I should add that most young AP's that I've met at local golf clubs are not planning on a career in sales. Most are attempting to further their golf education before hopefully moving onto the touring circuits. It's not surprising if they aren't up to date with advanced people/sales skills....

Obviously I'm not saying all young assistant pro's dont have any sales skills but many I have come across dont have a clue when it comes to selling gear.My reference to AG was that when I worked there for a brief time I had much more sales than the younger guys who were sub 5 handicapers.The point I'm making is weither it be AG or the local club you dont need to be a great player to sell but the employers seem to think you do and a lot of the youngsters think they "brilliant" at sales because of their handicap, they are simply not.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Rubbish! They know how to hit a golf ball but thats about it, most of them have little or no knowledge of the game, seriously there was an assistant pro at a club myself and a mate were visiting who was about 17-18, when my mate suggested Tiger wont beat Jacks major record guy says "tigers already has more majors than anyone" ?.As for it being an age thing many assistant pro's are in there 20's and still havent got a clue.

Not quite sure what you mean by 'little or no knowledge of the game'. These are lads wanting to make a career out of the game (well at least at the moment) and they will be doing the job for love - and most certainly not the money.

I'd rather have our two assistants who are ace guys and knowledgable in any dealings I have with them. I contrast them very starkly with the pro shop assistant at Celtic Manor Roman Road from Sept last year. Very presentable and able young sales-lady I am sure - but she showed not the slightest interest in myself or my buddies as golfers - no chat asking where we were from or what club we played at. Just there to book us in and sell us ball, tees, course planners, drinks, sweets etc.

I don't expect them to be fonts of all knowledge - and I absolutely don't want them to be salesmen - our pro can help out and advise if they can't. I know what I prefer.

 

[bluewolf]

Obviously I'm not saying all young assistant pro's dont have any sales skills but many I have come across dont have a clue when it comes to selling gear.My reference to AG was that when I worked there for a brief time I had much more sales than the younger guys who were sub 5 handicapers.The point I'm making is weither it be AG or the local club you dont need to be a great player to sell but the employers seem to think you do and a lot of the youngsters think they "brilliant" at sales because of their handicap, they are simply not.

We're in total agreement that some of the younger guys in the shops are useless at sales. I won't go into detail, but one guy I spoke to about the RocketBladez Tour irons in a local shop was absolutely clueless. To be fair though, I don't think he was much cop as a golfer either... As a balance though, some of them have been great and have helped me no end....:thup:

 

[drawboy]

The way I see it the point is this. You get a young lad who probably has played the game since 10/11 ish and has progressed to 5hcp. He then shows enough interest in pursuing a career in golf for a pro to take him under his wing as an assistant, hopefully for him to take his PGA training and become a pro himself in time. As a 16 year old or so of course he has no experience in selling and retail. The pro will teach him this just as any other apprentice will learn his chosen skill over time. some will go on to become first class pro's some will move on to other jobs for more money and some will just find out the life is not for them, regardless of what they do you have to give them a chance to learn and mature before jumping on them for not knowing every make of club and whether it will suit this person or that person. Shivas I am sorry to say this but I would rather take advise off a 5 hcp than a 14 any day of the week regardless of his knowledge of the latest or vintage gear.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Surely an assistant is similar to an office junior, he/ she is there to learn on the job, they will need the pros help and advice in all aspects of the job, give them a break they are trying to make their way and should be commended for that, they work long and hard for little money. In my experience they are generally willing and helpful.

 

[splashtryagain]

This is silly!
Hopefully ag or any club pro will have interviewed any potential young ( and good) golfer to ascertain his interest, knowledge and enthusiasm. Most 16-18 year olds are slightly intimidated by older folk and so come across surly and bratty. I have watched the young snivelling know it all bratty kids at my club flourish into good pros and nice young adults, one recently got a job at a truly world class venue so can't be too bad!
Lets face it if you post on here then there is a good chance you're (like me) a bit sad and anal when it comes to the latest equipment so when you go to ag or whatever you are naturally going to rub them up the wrong way as you will come across as a know it all! Good sales people are relatively rare as they are forced to sell more when they hit any target and as such turn into sycophantic, arse licking idiots, I can honestly say that I have never encountered one of these using ag in Preston!
Have you also considered that the kids you refer to are actually older than you suspect and it is you who has got all old and stuff!?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

To be honest I never imagined the likes of AG or Direct Golf to be staffed by assistant pro's - knowledgable shop assistants maybe - APs no.

 

[Stuey01]

To be honest I never imagined the likes of AG or Direct Golf to be staffed by assistant pro's - knowledgable shop assistants maybe - APs no.

Well they have a PGA pro in every store, not that big a leap to see them taking on assistant professionals, especially if the PGA pro in every store approach is a long term strategy.

 

[MadAdey]

Not interested in the argument that is going on but I would like to put a question across on another angle within this thread:

If your club Pro stopped employing these young lads as his assistant, then eventually there will be no club pros as there is no one coming through as assistants.

Also if your club pro employs an assistant alongside some top salesman then who is going to pay the wages. As we all know some club pros are struggling in this financial climate to make a good living.

My point is what will happen if they stop employing these young lads?

 

[shivas irons]

Ive made my point and this is getting very boring, I'm closing this thread.......

 

[ger147]

Not interested in the argument that is going on but I would like to put a question across on another angle within this thread:

If your club Pro stopped employing these young lads as his assistant, then eventually there will be no club pros as there is no one coming through as assistants.

Also if your club pro employs an assistant alongside some top salesman then who is going to pay the wages. As we all know some club pros are struggling in this financial climate to make a good living.

My point is what will happen if they stop employing these young lads?

If you get a good club pro and the right boys then it's an invaluable insight in to what working as a club pro is all about for the young lads. It also gives them a chance to start learning about how to teach rather than just play.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I was actually in two AG stores at the weekend. One store's staff seemed friendly and keen to help. The other barely seemed to look up from behind the counter. One willingly let a customer try a club and the other didn't offer anyone a chance to hit on the range or in a bay. The problem came with the advice they seemed to be giving and a desire to flog a particular model to the guy wanting to try the clubs. That isn't a new problem. I wasn't overly impressed with the PGA pro in either store. Having nearly joined AG and seeing the commission targets set, I can see why they do what they do. I just happen to think it doesn't make it right.

 

[stevelev]

Ive made my point and this is getting very boring, I'm closing this thread.......

I love AG and I love the fact that many clubs are giving kids an opportunity seeing as there is not much out there for them. Selling and communication skills and patter can all be learned (or learnt I'm thick me)

If I want to learn a swing I'll see a teaching pro, if I want kit I'll speak to someone in the shop, if I dont feel they are knowledgeable I will ask for further advice, not come on here saying they are all useless.

And if I was a high roller like you I would hire a personal shopper and pete cowan or likewise and never step into a shop again or have a caddie go in for me

:ears:

 

[garyinderry]

To be honest I never imagined the likes of AG or Direct Golf to be staffed by assistant pro's - knowledgable shop assistants maybe - APs no.

this !!

surely one is an assistant pro and the other is a shop assistant that sells golf gear.

 

[Mr A]

In response to both points raised in this thread.

In regards to young pro's, I think it's fairly obvious most of them are just starting in the industry, and are probably for the first 12/18 months only interested in playing still. The sales side is something they will have no interest in, and I'm sure if you were really serious about wanting advice and needing help the pro is the person to talk to.

And in regard to expecting sales people in AG/DG etc to be good golfers, I cannot see in any way how that makes any difference. As a former Nevada Bob's salesman, playing off a thouroughly deserved 28 handicap, I know my lack of skill as a player had nothing to do with ability to fit people for the correct clubs. In the same vein, do you expect your mechanic to have an F1 license, or at the very least be a fantastic driver?

 

[chrisd]

To be fair, most AP's are, by the fact that they want to be golf pro's, are going to get to a fairly low handicap before looking for an AP's position. When they get a position the trade off is that they work in the shop, sell Mars Bars and trousers etc etc and the pro gives them tuition, puts them through the exams and trains them to the work necessary to be a club teaching pro so that if they don't make it on tour, or, prefer to teach etc that they are well equipped after, what in any other trade, is an apprenticeship.

There will always be good and bad sales staff, knowledgeable and less so, rude and pleasant - it's up to the customer to decide whether to place their business there, the same as they would with a butchers shop! Ultimately, I would do my research before I part with my hard earned and would assess the advice given accordingly, but, like the AP at my club, he is there for his golf and that overrides any other part of the job as far as he I concerned and, I for one hope to see him on tour one day

 

[elevenredmen]

this !!

surely one is an assistant pro and the other is a shop assistant that sells golf gear.

excuse my ignorance but if both are full members of the PGA then what is the difference?

(AP and PGA@AG)

 

[Foxholer]

excuse my ignorance but if both are full members of the PGA then what is the difference?

(AP and PGA@AG)

Neither of the sort of guys being discussed will actually be members of PGA. They would have to be Professionals for that, and the guys being discussed are (perhaps) at the early stages of the road to that.

They are both basically shop assistants, one of whose path could well be to become a Professional, the other's being more likely to become a Store Manager.