jobs in golf?

[birdieman]

I often wonder about a career change and how I could turn my favourite pastime of golf into my work somehow. I ain't exactly Richard Branson so my entrepreneurial skills need developing!
Teaching -Is there any mileage in taking one of those short golf teaching courses that isn't the PGA long course, is it worth the paper it's written on?
Greenkeeping appeals but I believe it is poorly paid -is that correct?
Also thought about developing a driving range facility but always think of Tin Cup's range in the movie!
Golf course design - I imagine opportunities are very rare to do this, what qualifications do you need -sounds great though.
Our assistant pro recently left the club citing awful wages and probably wasn't good enough to make it as a playing pro proper. -dont htink thats for me plus I'm too old now.
What about golf mags such as GM, how would you get a job with them, become a sports writer or journalist?
Do any of you have any advice or experience working in the golf business?

 

[thebelgie24]

morning birdieman,my old man was a journalist and wrote the odd piece of freelance stuff for some golf mags,you can do these writing courses that help and you can submit stuff and see what happens,you'll never know if you dont give it a go!

 

[JohnWT]

What about caddying? You can do a course up in Scotland which gives you a qualification known as the St Andrews Standard http://www.caddieconnect.com/ I think it costs about £200 – you could be the next Pete Coleman!

 

[birdieman]

Caddying - watched the lads at the end of the 18th at St Andrews recently getting wedges of cash off Americans and Japs, I expect if you can caddy on one of our elite courses you could do well off the 'tax-free' bungs! When I played the Old Course 'blind' we were of course too tight to hire caddies! Neither of us found any bunkers however so we can either read strokesavers or were just lucky.

 

[muttleee]

Golf Monthly now offers the opportunity for readers to write a column in the magazine so maybe that would be a start if you wanted to get into journalism somehow. There's an email address to contact if you're interested. I can't remember what it is but it's in the magazine.

That guy Clive Agran seems to have made a bit of a move into golf writing after doing that series a while back about getting his handicap down from 18 to single figures in a year. If I remember rightly, he wrote to GM and suggested they pay for coaching, custom fitted clubs, a sports psychologist etc and while their first reaction was to laugh at his nerve, they ended up doing it because it was of such interest to all golfers. After all, who hasn't wondered if you could lose a few shots from your handicap if only you had access to top class clubs and coaching etc? I think Clive still contributes to GM (and dare I say it, GW) and to various blogs and so on as well. I don't know if it's a full time job but it's probably a nice little earner, at least.

I was once offered the chance to do a PhD on the torque of golf club shafts but turned it down because I'd just finished an MSc and didn't want yet another three years with no job. Also, it sounded like it would have meant a lot of number crunching while my supervisor would have got to do all the fun stuff. I was picturing all expenses paid trips to Callaway's testing centre in California and so on but I think that was a touch of wishful thinking! Who knows where it might have led, though??

Edit: According to this site, Clive has also worked for Sky TV at various events. Alright for some...

 

[Trueblue]

How about golf promotion? You know working in the industry of golf - some of my mates work in golf pr and they have a great time, get to go to lots of events and even more importantly they get to play the top courses the whole time!

Not exactly sure how you get into it though....

 

[chipin1]

Why not get in touch with the European Tour? They have jobs in a whole load of different sectors and you'd probably be able to find something that fits your skills

 

[madandra]

I am a salesman and had an interview with Wilson Sports 3 years ago but they paid peanuts and the perks were poor (Free Fat Shafts) .............. Start writing a blog and then forward some of them to golf publications to see if they want to commission an article.

Good luck

 

[thebelgie24]

maybe get a start with your mates at golfp**k?

 

[Dave3498]

Become a golf teacher. You don't have to be able to play to Pro' level, just know how to impart the rudiments of the game and the golf swing to beginners and improvers. With a 4 handicap, I'm sure you know are quite able to do that. The new EU member countries are opening up to golf and there are probably good oportunities there. Germany has always been a good earner for instructors. Two of my former juniors who turned Pro' both went to Germany for several years to their great financial advantage.

 

[birdieman]

mmm....food for thought, thanks for all the replies.

 

[Marko77]

Something we are thinking about is organising golfing tours in our local area and if required, being hosts to them. Negotiate rates with courses/hotels/other local attractions - maybe arrange golf week style competitions...

Needing the pay off from the current job to fund this initiative though...

 

[Greenkeeper]

Hi birdieman

I have been greenkeeping for over 20 years, and yes the job is great. But as you rightly say the wages can be poor to start with. To be honest you need five years as an apprentice before you qualify as a greenkeeper and then the money improves.
It’s a great occupation for a youngster who is willing to go to college and gain qualifications as well as experience.
If you have IT skills, management experience, pubic relation skills and skin so thick you resemble a rhinoceros then you could be a Secretary Manager. But like Course management it’s very arduous.

Good luck