Pro shops closing

[shivas irons]

I see the Yarmouth and Caister golf club pro shop closes on the 1st of January, surely the pro shops that are actually on course can turn a profit even in this day and age and the decline in golf.The modern trend seems to be unattached pro's giving lessons at a club to make some coin but cant they still run a shop along with lessons?.Such a shame that things that were taken for granted at a golf course are going at some clubs, in the modern world we seem to be losing the very essence of the games traditions.

 

[DCB]

With the amount of online price matching that get mentioned on here is it any wonder ? A £20k retainer isn't going to do much for the club pro in this day and age.

 

[pbrown7582]

I'm surprised more haven't closed already with a lot of buying these days done online price matched then a small pro shop account can't compete in price. At times they are having to pay more a trade price for kit than AG are selling at retail.

 

[Robobum]

I see the Yarmouth and Caister golf club pro shop closes on the 1st of January, surely the pro shops that are actually on course can turn a profit even in this day and age and the decline in golf.The modern trend seems to be unattached pro's giving lessons at a club to make some coin but cant they still run a shop along with lessons?.Such a shame that things that were taken for granted at a golf course are going at some clubs, in the modern world we seem to be losing the very essence of the games traditions.

You just have to follow the odd thread or two on here really.

Go get advice off your pro to get the right stuff for you, see if he will match a huge chain price and if not scuttle off down the road and get it for a fiver cheaper. That is presuming that he was even given thechance to match in the first place.

Hard to stay alive when that is happening all the time

 

[Pin-seeker]

Pretty much the same for all small independent shops,they can't compete with the large chains.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Not just Pro Shops. ask any independent retailer and you will hear the same story.

Just had an excellent Outdoor Sports shop close in Amersham , I was talking to the owner who said that people come in, look at the items, then out come the phones and if they cant price match Amazon then they walk away.

Whilst the internet is a useful thing, there is no doubt its killing the high street as well as the pro shops

 

[Sweep]

I guess it comes down to the old phrase "use it or lose it". If you value your pro shop, try and give the pro business.

 

[CMAC]

I've always been a big supporter of 'SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PRO", he's a business like anyone but to get that personal service from a trained professional is worth a lot IMO. Yes sometimes it will cost me more money, but theres more to life and relationships than saving a fiver here and there.

 

[Robobum]

Like everything in life, there are good and bad pros out there. By no means do I think we should support guys who serve little purpose to the club and the members.

But good ones are worth supporting. For example:

New pair of shoes are £100 @ AG, the pro can get to £110 for you. So you save that tenner and potter off to AG.

A month later you get the shoes on before your round and notice a spike missing, pop in the pro shop to rectify. The pro points you to a pack of spikes for £10 and you fit them yourself. Your mate in exactly the same shoe, bought from the pro, has his replaced by the pro from a spare stash of odd spikes for nowt.

One example of added value - so many more to list.

 

[JCW]

I've always been a big supporter of 'SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PRO", he's a business like anyone but to get that personal service from a trained professional is worth a lot IMO. Yes sometimes it will cost me more money, but theres more to life and relationships than saving a fiver here and there.

Well said , too many are buying online then coming on here to get advice about if they have been done or not , buy from your local pro , get him to price match or get as close too as possible , we wont have pro shops or a high street if the public carry on at this rate , then you watch the price go up , just look at the gas and electric , now if you could get that at your local shop that would be good , but no you cant , the big boys will kill all the small shops then they will get together to fixed the price , you the customer cant go elsewhere because you have help the big boys get where they are and killed off the small shops , banks are at it now and have been fined , wake up and never buy online again or in time you will regret it ................I wont and never have , needed some blinds for my home and I when local , will check the big boys and the internet and then give the local guy to match it or get close and give him the business , it may cost me a few quid extra but any problems and I don't have to go far , may be a few quid more so what ............................EYG

 

[Pin-seeker]

Well said , too many are buying online then coming on here to get advice about if they have been done or not , buy from your local pro , get him to price match or get as close too as possible , we wont have pro shops or a high street if the public carry on at this rate , then you watch the price go up , just look at the gas and electric , now if you could get that at your local shop that would be good , but no you cant , the big boys will kill all the small shops then they will get together to fixed the price , you the customer cant go elsewhere because you have help the big boys get where they are and killed off the small shops , banks are at it now and have been fined , wake up and never buy online again or in time you will regret it ................I wont and never have , needed some blinds for my home and I when local , will check the big boys and the internet and then give the local guy to match it or get close and give him the business , it may cost me a few quid extra but any problems and I don't have to go far , may be a few quid more so what ............................EYG

Seems slightly odd to compare golf equipment to gas & electric. Can't really see prices going up either tbh.

 

[beggsy]

If a pro can not survive on a 20k retainer that's his tough luck if I could sit in a warm shop know I had 20k a year in my bank I'd love it also knowing I have sweets an pop to make cash on everyday Also odd lessons and a percentage of green fees yet they moan that I will go buy balls or anything for a lot cheaper of the Internet or high street

 

[Imurg]

I'm surprised more haven't closed already with a lot of buying these days done online price matched then a small pro shop account can't compete in price. At times they are having to pay more a trade price for kit than AG are selling at retail.

The whole "Price Match" ethos is the problem.
We've heard recently about the Cleveland Classic fairway that AG had on for 80 quid or whatever and AG price-matching to less than 50... A big company like AG or DG can do that, they can absorb the loss in profit as there will be plenty paying full price.
But a Club Pro, who probably has a much smaller customer base, probably couldn't match it. And whilst there are some who will buy from the Pro come-what-may, the will be 10 times that number who will go down the road to save 10 or 20 quid, more if it's a set of irons.

I'm actually amazed any Pro is able to make money from a shop these days...

 

[Robobum]

If a pro can not survive on a 20k retainer that's his tough luck if I could sit in a warm shop know I had 20k a year in my bank I'd love it also knowing I have sweets an pop to make cash on everyday Also odd lessons and a percentage of green fees yet they moan that I will go buy balls or anything for a lot cheaper of the Internet or high street

Are you aware of what the pro has to do with that £20k?

 

[Coatsy79]

I believe the future of retail will be large online shops with "showrooms" where you can view/try products but will mainly be all based online

It just cost sooo much to hold stock nowadays and competing with large online retailers is very hard

My wife runs a clothing/personalised items business and her supplier stocks some golf stuff, which I browse through and honestly the trade prices are as much or more than some online retailers are selling for

 

[shivas irons]

If a pro can not survive on a 20k retainer that's his tough luck if I could sit in a warm shop know I had 20k a year in my bank I'd love it also knowing I have sweets an pop to make cash on everyday Also odd lessons and a percentage of green fees yet they moan that I will go buy balls or anything for a lot cheaper of the Internet or high street

I think its more the case that a lot of clubs are struggling to get the 20k together to pay a pro, but agree 20k is a decent enough wage for what they do.

 

[SocketRocket]

I have never seen a Club Pro driving a Porche.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

It's what happens when people don't support their local pro and go to the big retailer looking for a price match

I buy all my clubs ,balls , shoes , gloves and waterproofs from local pro and he always tries to match some prices and even if he doesn't then still buy from him

 

[Robobum]

I think its more the case that a lot of clubs are struggling to get the 20k together to pay a pro, but agree 20k is a decent enough wage for what they do.

How many days in the year do you expect your pro shop to be open?

Let's be really generous and give them 2 days at Xmas and 2 at New Year and an extra one for luck.

360 days opening. 10hrs a day during the summer and 8hrs a day during the winter.

Physical impossibility to do that alone, so one assistant to do shop hours too?

Good luck with that £20k!!!

 

[Imurg]

It's what happens when people don't support their local pro and go to the big retailer looking for a price match

I buy all my clubs ,balls , shoes , gloves and waterproofs from local pro and he always tries to match some prices and even if he doesn't then still buy from him

Which, if you have the means, is great.
A significant number of Golfers don't have the kind of disposable income needed to play at Woburn and pay the prices in the shop. Saving 20 quid here and there can be the difference between being able to play and not being able to.
That's why they go to AG or online.