How Golf Provides an Amazing Range of Job,
Career and Business Opportunities
The World Golf Foundation’s ‘Golf 2020’ report estimates that the industry generated almost $70 billion in goods and services in the US and had a total economic impact of $177 billion. All of which is pretty good news if you want to make a living in the golf industry.
For youngsters, a golf course is a fabulous place to work. In the cart barn, tending the course, driving the beverage cart or waiting tables in the clubhouse, it’s safe, parking is easy, most of the customers are nice, the tips are generally good and, by far and away the most important, you get free golf.
Ah, FREE GOLF! Those magic words that persuaded me for the first nine months of my working life to put in more than 40 hours a week for nothing.
Aged 18, I started my career in 1981 as a “Bag Boy” at the Wellington Country Club, in Palm Beach, Florida. After reading a motivational book, I changed my job title to ‘Director of Bag Operations’. I did exactly the same thing as before, taking oversized golf bags out of oversized black Cadillac’s, mostly with New York plates on them, and putting them on a golf cart 20 yards away, but the tips improved!
Many a wannabe golf pro who did not make it on tour have flourished as a club pro, tour operator, teaching professional or martial arts guru.
All I Ever Wanted to be was a Golf Pro!
Only one small detail prevented me from pursuing a career on the PGA Tour… a lack of talent! I was good but not nearly good enough.
As fate would have it, my life-long love of golf and cars paid off one dreamy afternoon as I sat on the bag-rack outside the clubhouse in the balmy Florida air. Suddenly I heard a loud whining noise and a silver 308 Ferrari screamed into view at the bottom of the driveway. Ignoring the posted speed limit by at least 40 mph, it squealed to a stop in front of me. I took the clubs out of the passenger seat, the only place they would fit, and strapped them to a golf cart.
The stocky mustachioed owner got out and handed me a tip.
“Nice car,” I beamed.
“Yeah, thanks,” he replied and drove off to park.
As he walked back, I bombarded him with questions about the car, all of which he gladly answered. Then he said, “Hey, kid, do you play golf?”
“Yeah,” I said.
“Are you any good?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m off scratch,” I told him.
“Think you can help me, cause I suck?”
“Sure!”
“Okay, what time do you get off?”
“3 pm,” I said.
“Okay, I’ll hit balls ’til then. Come and meet me on the range when you’re done. Maybe you can help.”
As it turned out, the man in the Ferrari was in the karate business and we swapped golf lessons for karate instruction. Soon after, I was accidentally thrust into a new career in the world of martial arts where I eventually built my own organization and ran 400 schools!
Andrew Wood is an author and CEO of Legendary Marketing, a Tampa/Orlando-based ad agency. He is the world’s leading expert on golf, resort, destination and real estate marketing although his successes go far beyond these core industries. Author of over 40 books including; Confessions of a Golf Pro, Desperately Seeking Members, The Golf Marketing Bible, The Hotel and Resort Marketing Bible and Legendary Advice. Andrew has spoken to thousands of audiences worldwide and was the top-ranked speaker at 97.7% of the events where he spoke on sales, marketing, entrepreneurship or leadership. A pioneer in Internet marketing his creative talent, out of the box ideas and copywriting skills are at the core of his expertise. Regarded as one of the top marketing minds in the world for his ability to craft a winning strategy, generate leads and increase income!
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