State of golf sales

Getting questions daily regarding how the golf industry doing, especially regarding sales reps.

What’s going on out there?

Are reps still looking to pick-up new lines?

Are they still working or have they left the industry?

Are new workers entering the industry?

These are all great questions and we’ve noticed a few trends that may shed some light on the current state of salespeople in the golf industry.

As most of us are aware, golf participation is at an all-time high since Covid entered the picture over 2 years back.

Play has increased on-course, off-course, day or night, at home on tv, phone, computer or backyard, or within an entertainment venue.

As play increased, so has consumer spending.

People are buying lots of golf goods like apparel, equipment, accessories and services.

Established sales reps are doing very well, some better than ever!

Those who were not as established or selling as much have had a harder time dealing with the increased costs in doing business i.e. travel, gas, hotel, food etc….

Some reps have left the business altogether while others entered, wanting to finally work in an industry they enjoy.

These are just a few of our observations which, overall, look pretty darn good for the industry as a whole.

If your company is looking for sales assistance, now is a great time to recruit!

Interviewing – Zoom calls – look the part

If you’re an employer and lately running into shabby candidates during interviews, may want to pass this info on.

Or you’re a job seeker looking to score a gig in golf. 

Take heed to the following advice.

We’ve all experienced changes Covid has brought into our daily lives and routines, including job hunting.

Now more than ever, it’s important that a job seeker have a great, professional look online while interviewing.

Zoom interviews have become the new norm.

There are clear differences interacting with a potential employer through a desktop/laptop vs. a traditional face to face meeting like having the proper lighting, background, testing how you appear on screen, use of mute button, quality internet connection etc….

Yet the one constant that remains, regardless of how you interview be it “live” or online, is your appearance.

You’ve got to look good!

This topic has been discussed ad nauseam yet people still get lazy and refuse to make their appearance a priority.

And it happens in every industry at all levels.

Reminds me of a dilemma a very good friend experienced with a former boss.

My friend sold large, hi-tech products/services to $1M + accounts and doing very well, one of the highest producers in the company.

While attending a company-wide meeting (pre-Covid), my friend was introduced to upper management for the first time.

While observing these executives inter mingling, his biggest concern became his boss.

The boss didn’t look the part, as sharp as the other exec’s, and he was worried this would effect his bottom line when negotiating with corporate to close big deals.

Unfortunately, soon after that meeting, his boss left the company.

My friend’s instincts were right!

Although the boss was a great guy and good sales manager, he didn’t fit in with his peers.

The first and biggest indication of this was his appearance.

The unspoken “rule” of looking the part applies to all industries including golf.

Whether you’re interviewing for a sales job (regardless of the industry), management position at a club or a seasonal work, you must look your best.

Spend money on your clothes.

Don’t cheap out.

Don’t get lazy.

Buy the best dress, suit, tie, shoes, and/or bag you can afford.

And good grooming counts as well.

Get your hair cut, (ladies)blown out, nails done, brows trimmed.

From the waste up you want to look your best and it shows when you’ve invested time and money in your appearance.

Golf Club Owners/Operators looking for experienced management candidates or those wanting to “break in” to golf, check out details regarding our Golf Candidate Blast package here. To get started  call, text 305-803-1114 or shoot an email to Dawn@GolfSurfin.com

Job Seekers if you’ve got your appearance “game on” and looking for a job in golf, check out GolfSurfin.com’s “White Glove” service. Click here for details then call, text 305-803-1114 or send message Dawn@GolfSurfin.com

Dawn Schlesinger
Chiefgolfjobologist
Dawn@GolfSurfin.com

Opportunity or Obstacle – May be time to hire sales talent

In these strange and unsettling times, business decisions are not easily made.

The economy has changed, our personal lives disrupted, and most of us are feeling anxious and unsettled about the future.

We either lay low and see how this situation unfolds or we make moves.

Because with obstacles come opportunity.

Take the stock market as an example.

Although there have been recent historical lows in the market, now may be an opportune time to buy shares in great companies.

A similar scenario has developed with hiring opportunities in the golf industry.

Fortunately our industry is opening and people are playing again.

It’s one of the few activities we can do safely outside in our own carts or walk paths.

In fact, courses are opening at a rapid pace.

A recent article in the Washington Post titled “Coronavirus shutdowns are making golf course an oasis for stir-crazy Americans eager to get out and tee it up” claims 41% of Americans want golf courses open over any other type of business.

Thats great news for golf!

Back to the point of recruiting opportunities.

Despite the current openings of golf courses throughout the U.S., manufacturers in the golf industry have experienced a substantial impact on production, retail store closings and order cancellations and delays.* As a result, experienced sales reps are open to new employment opportunities.

Now may be the time to hire them!

If you agree, the #1 sales recruiting tool in golf is available with a 15% discount.

Purchase our Sales Rep “Blast” package here or below. Enter code DISCOUNT15 at check-out.

See package details below.

*”Coronavirus Effects Thoughout the Golf Business“, by National Golf Foundation, May 2020

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Club Management turnover – Elephant in the club

The average turnover for a club General Manager is approximately 2.5 years.*

When a GM leaves a club, other staff members follow.

Management turnover causes financial, motivational and emotional problems for club members and employees.

A must read for anyone associated with a private club particularly Board Members of private clubs, Committee members of Member owned clubs and department heads, is “The Elephant in the Club” – Private Club General Manager Job Security and Turnover – Whitepaper”

Richard McPhail, CCM | Jul 26, 2016.

McPhail discusses in depth why management turnover is chronic (and hasn’t really changed much over the past 20 years) and gives suggestions, ideas and/or remedies clubs can use to instill consistency and avoid change.

Ideas like:

  • Understanding the private club model…different from a public business
  • Appropriate budgeting. Are wanted member amenities and services realistic with the budget?
  • Strategic Planning. Sticking to long-term asset preservation and amenity renewal plans.
  • Making goals and communication clear between the the board, members and GM.
  • Consistency. Retaining and maintaining a loyal staff.

Given the fact that turnover is fairly high in private clubs (we’re guessing turnover numbers are somewhat similar in semi-private and public golf facilities), recurring recruiting costs are steep.

GolfSurfin.com offers recruiting services that are both affordable and effective for golf clubs.

If your club has an open staff position, check-out our Target Search Service.

Click here for more details.