how much money can you make wotking on a golf course

by Mustafa Kautzer 9 min read

Quick Answer: Caddies can make anywhere between $200-$1500 per week at country clubs and pristine public courses. Caddies on the PGA Tour can earn anywhere between $100,000 to $2 million! Obviously, the caddies that make more money have more experience and put in longer hours at the course.

Golf Course Jobs by Hourly Rate
Job TitleRangeAverage
GreenskeeperRange:$10 - $14Average:$12
Pro Shop ClerkRange:$10 - $15Average:$11
Golf Course SuperintendentRange:$15 - $17Average:$16
Assistant Golf ProfessionalRange:$11 - $17Average:$12
3 more rows

Full Answer

How do golf courses make money?

Green fee play, memberships, food & beverage, and pro shop sales are the four main levers that can lead to an increase in revenue at a golf course. Of course, within each revenue stream, many specific opportunities exist for golf courses to produce more revenue. Is investing in a golf course worth it?

How to increase your golf course’s revenue?

Luckily, digital tools such as Booking Extras make it easy to implement such a strategy at your golf course. This is a very efficient way to increase revenue and the more people book through your online channel, the more extra revenue you’ll be able to generate. 9. Partner online third-party marketplaces

How much does it cost to host a golf event?

Money for hosting an event ranges widely. If you’re talking about a U.S. Open, the amount the USGA pays in facility fees is substantial — north of $2 million when it “rents” a club. But clubs also share in the event’s revenue and receive additional funds to prepare and restore its course.

How much should I charge for a golf tournament?

You can charge $130 to $150 per player. Remember that you are trying to create value, giving the golfers more than they pay for. Your organization staff should not be involved in the event during operating hours.

Is it worth it to work on a golf course?

One of the big perks of working at a golf course is the ability to play the course at a reduced rate, or sometimes for free. Workers usually play in the off-peak hours, when the course is less crowded and play tends to be faster. They often receive discounts at the pro shop and restaurants, too.

What are the highest paying jobs in the golf industry?

What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Golf Industry Jobs in the U.S.Job TitleAnnual SalaryWeekly PayVice Golf$96,669$1,859Golf Simulator$79,655$1,531Golf Software$76,119$1,463GOLF Instructor$65,067$1,2511 more row

How much do you get paid to run a golf course?

As of Sep 9, 2022, the average annual pay for a Golf Course Starter in the United States is $34,899 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $16.78 an hour. This is the equivalent of $671/week or $2,908/month.

Is working at a golf course hard?

Working for a golf course is a lot of fun. You get to be outside, pretty much get a workout during your whole shift. The pay isn't great but the work is so easy, just a lot of moving around.

What is the best job at a golf course?

What are Some Great Careers in the Golf Industry?Director of Golf. As a golf director, your responsibilities will be to oversee all of the golf operations at a golf club or country club. ... Club Professional. ... Teaching Professional. ... College of High School Coach. ... General Manager. ... Golf Writer. ... Golf Retailer. ... Clubmaker and Repairer.More items...

Does the golf industry pay well?

There are roughly 24 million golfers and 15,000 courses. The game employs about two million people and pays out $55.6 billion in annual wage income.

How many acres is a golf course?

At the individual level, an average 18-hole golf course covers 150 acres, approximately 100 (67 percent) of which is maintained turfgrass. This area is predominantly comprised of rough (51 acres) and fairways (30 acres).

How much does the PGA pay to use a golf course?

Money for hosting an event ranges widely. If you're talking about a U.S. Open, the amount the USGA pays in facility fees is substantial — north of $2 million when it “rents” a club. But clubs also share in the event's revenue and receive additional funds to prepare and restore its course.

Do pro golfers pay entry fees?

Except at the highest levels, professional golfers must pay entry fees to play in tournaments. It may seem counterintuitive, but a player at the top of golf's food chain often doesn't have to pay an entry fee, because expenses for high-profile tournaments are covered by sponsors and TV networks.

Is working at a golf course a good summer job?

Working at a golf course is by far the greatest summer job for high school and college students. Golf is a game of respect, integrity, and honesty. Not only do you get to spend your days outside in a beautiful sanctuary that is a golf course, but those working at the course or country club practice those morals too.

What do you call someone who works at a golf course?

September 2022) A golf course superintendent (or greenskeeper) is a person responsible for the care and upkeep of a golf course or a sport turf playing surface.

What do you wear when you work on a golf course?

In addition to being professional and crisp looking, golf course crew workwear garments must be functional. They must withstand harsh weather and hard outdoor work. Golf course crew also require a range of garments from rainwear to warm outerwear and breathable polo style shirts.

How do you make a career out of golf?

Here is how to start a career in golf if you want to become a professional golfer:Start as early as you can. ... Get golf lessons. ... Practice everything. ... Join a golf club. ... Sharpen your competitive edge in college. ... Go to “Q-School” – the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament. ... Start entering pro tournaments. ... Get your PGA Tour card.

How much money is in the golf industry?

The National Golf Foundation estimated the industry's worth to be $84 billion in 2019. In terms of golfing equipment, the report claims that the clubs and balls market was worth $2.7 billion in 2018.

What can you do with a golf degree?

What can you do with an golf management degree?Head Golf Professional.Assistant Golf Professional.Director of Instruction.General Manager of a Country Club or Resort.Golf Coach (University)

What does director of golf do?

Position Concept: As a member of the Golf Management Team, the Director of Golf will oversee the total golf operation and services offered including the golf shop, golf range, golf services areas and golf car operation including supervision of the head golf professional.

How much does a caddy make?

The pay structure for a professional caddy is a little different than when working for the golf course. When caddying for a player, they are your boss! You are there to help them as much as possible as your pay is connected to their performance. It is typical that you can make anywhere between 5-10% of their winnings, per tournaments (plus possible tips). So to put this in perspective, if you were Tiger Woods Caddy back when he was dominating, you are looking at 3-5 million dollars a year!

What to do if you love golf?

If you love golf, think about caddying over the summer and help give your skills and love of the game to other golfers!

How to become a professional caddy?

To become a professional caddy, you will need years of experience at your golf course and a great list of references about your ability to perform on the course. To start, you will need to be hired by either an amateur or professional golfer. Many elite golfing tournaments require that golfers use a caddy. This is where you need to put your name out there and offer your services. Check your local tournaments online to see if any professional caddies are required and get your resume together! (Read more about professional caddies here)

How does word get out of golf clubs?

As time goes on, word will get out through the club’s community about the effort you are putting in. This is when the bigwigs start coming in your direction! After a few loops with some of the elite members or guests, the golf club will reward you and accelerate you through the various tiers.

How old do you have to be to be a caddy?

Caddies vary quite drastically in age. Most courses have a minimum age requirement of 14 years old to be a caddy. As you’ve probably seen on TV, there is no max on how old you can be as long as you can handle the physical requirements needed on the course, you can caddy!

Is golf good for old people?

Golf is a great sport for young and old alike. It’s a sport that you can try out as soon as you are old enough to walk and hold a club. It’s a sport that you can play well into old-age if your health permits. It’s no contact and low-impact, so there is little risk ]

Is caddying a good job?

By now you can probably see the benefits and potential success that caddying can bring you. Not only is there a lot of money to be made, but there are also opportunities to work with successful people who can further your career.

How to raise money for a golf course?

Ways To Raise Money For Your Golf Course. The most common income streams are green fees, membership fees, pro shop sales, and food and beverage sales. While increasing membership fees or green fees might seem like a good way to increase revenue, it might put off more golfers than the additional income earned.

How do golf clubs make money?

Many golf clubs make good money from coaching, club fitting, a driving range, and other services. Something that is becoming extremely popular, especially in the colder areas where you might not be able to play for part of the year, is golf simulators.

How to boost income from golf club?

To boost income all you have to do is use your imagination and look around at what competitors are doing. Then go do it better or implement something that they do not do.

What are some ways to increase sales in golf?

Providing on-course refreshments at strategically placed holes where golfers can stock up with refreshing cold beverages, or even a hot beverage on a cold day can increase the sales when golfers forget to stock up before the round or a halfway house.

Why are golf courses abandoned?

Many a golf course has been abandoned during economic downturns due to the high cost of keeping it alive and prospering. One of the most common ways to raise funds is by increasing the number of members. However, this is not always possible during tough times such as the Covid-19 pandemic or the 2008 economic downturn.

What does it mean to look at a well-manicured golf course?

Looking at a well-manicured golf course creates a peaceful feeling until you play some challenging golf. Being an owner of a golf course can fill you with loads of pride but can lead to financial difficulties.

How does sponsorship work in golf?

Sponsorship can go a long way for you to promote incentives for membership by pooling regular golfers’ names and have a monthly draw to hand out a prize. This can be conditional on the number of rounds a golfer has played or something similar.

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How much of your golf revenue comes from 20% of your customers?

It states that on average 80% of your revenue comes from 20% of your customers. Unfortunately, identifying your VIPs can be difficult. Thankfully, you can make your golf POS software do the work for you. Start a loyalty program for your members by setting up simple milestones based on their activity at the club.

Why sell more prepaid golf rounds?

Selling more prepaid rounds will ensure that you get repeat visitors that you can build a good customer relationship with, and eventually convert to members. That golfer’s commitment to 10 rounds also means that you’re keeping them away from competing courses and on your fairways.

How does text marketing work in golf?

Text message marketing is a powerful tool made to improve the golfing experience and generate more revenue at your golf course. While emailing might be king in the golf industry, text messages on average receive a 90% open rate as opposed to 20% for emails and response rates are 7.5 times higher for text messages. In addition, with SMS marketing, you can reach golfers directly in their pockets while they’re on the course. Imagine how much success you can have by promoting a 20% discount at your restaurant through SMS marketing. However, keep in mind that text messages can be used for much more than promotions, you can also use them to welcome golfers, solicit feedback or invite them to an event. The idea here is to be timely and convey a clear message.

What is PGP golf?

PGP is all about bundling underutilized assets you have to offer into a single membership. The idea is to transform the occasional and irregular golfer into a loyal customer that usage every inch of your golf course. 3. A well-designed loyalty rewards program.

Why is golf a social sport?

Also, because golf is a social sport, they’re probably going to bring someone with them for each visit, further building your revenues. 2. Custom memberships. This new trend, primarily in private and semi-private clubs, empowers existing members to personalize their memberships according to their lifestyles and needs.

What are the four levers that can lead to an increase in revenue at a golf course?

The good news is that there are several different tactics golf course managers can apply to increase their profitability and take advantage of golf’s second wind. Green fee play, memberships, food & beverage, and pro shop sales are the four main levers that can lead to an increase in revenue at a golf course.

Do golf courses have tee times?

Most golf courses in your area offer this kind of feature, and golfers expect this kind of service. This doesn’t mean it’s the end for phone reservations, but more golf courses than ever offer tee times through their website or on marketplaces. Having your tee times online means that you spend less time on the phone and more time improving their customer experience.

Why are golf courses selling based on multiples of revenue?

In the last years, many golf courses are selling based on multiples of revenue (<1) because there aren’t any profits to calculate any type of return on investment. A 10% return might seem reasonable for buying a golf course, but the reality is that the return of many of these courses at the time of sale might be -10%.

What would happen if golf courses went up for sale?

If any of these courses went up for sale, major golf management companies (Troon, Trump, ClubCorp) and investments funds would be lined up to get a piece of these very profitable enterprises. However, most golf courses that go up for sale aren’t in great locations and may not even be profitable at all.

How many holes can a golf course be converted to?

Or a normal course could be converted into a par 3 executive course.

What are some ways to make money from mineral rights?

Other income sources might include selling mineral rights, selling billboard or cell phone tower easements, or leasing the land for hunting or fishing purposes.

Do golf courses sell?

Golf course properties sell at less of a premium when fewer and fewer buyers play golf on a regular basis. Many golf courses have been shuttered with some being converted to other uses and some just being fenced off or just sitting as vacant land.

Is golf in decline?

Many Golf Courses are Struggling. The golf industry has been in decline for over 10 years (pre-Covid). The number of rounds being played is going down, the number of courses open in the U.S. has decreased, and the average age of golfers has gone up.

Do you have to sell a golf course to developers?

In some areas, you have to offer to sell it to the neighborhood association first, before you sell it to developers. Adding greenbelt, open space or a walking path for those homeowners, in place of the golf course, is one thing that can be done to help mitigate their anger.

How much is the golf industry worth?

In the United States, the golf industry is worth about $25 billion, as it rakes in money from a variety of avenues—club memberships, and selling cleats and plaid shorts, and other related products. Now, you might think all the money in the golf industry is made by only pro golfers like Tiger Woods and those big companies ...

How to put golf in your schedule?

A smart way to put golf in your schedule is to put a few irons, your 3-wood, and putter in the trunk of your car. The next time you are stuck in traffic or have some minutes of free time, stop at a nearby golf course or driving range to have a practice sessions. This trumps sitting in the traffic all day and getting road rage.

Why is golf so beautiful?

The beauty of golf lies in the fact that you can get to meet fellow golfers in a personal level. Each golf round presents an opportunity to soft sell who you are, your company, and what you know. Ironically, each golfer spends only a few minutes actually hitting the golf ball. The rest of your time at the course or range will be spent on meeting other people, knowing their background, personality, and character in a relaxed atmosphere.

What happens if you don't play golf?

If you don’t play golf very often, or don’t know how to play at all, you won’t be able to exploit the profitable opportunities available in the golf industry. It’s like playing a lottery—even if you don’t know jack, you must know how to buy a ticket, or you will never win a jackpot. One challenge many people face is that they believe they don’t ...

What are the missions of golf?

Each time you go to the golf course, you have two missions: to play the game as a form of relaxation and to scout for opportunities to make money from the people who also come to play there. This is where your knowledge of other people’s personal backgrounds and preferences will come to play.

How to play golf with other people?

Give a good account of yourself. When playing golf with other people, be sure to play with proper etiquette and by the rules of the game. Remember, your conduct at the course or range can send signals of your business conduct and etiquettes. You need to really watch it, since you will be playing amidst potential clients.

What happens if you cheat in a game?

During the time you are playing, you and your playing partners have a chance to watch each other in action. If you cheat at any point during the game, you are sending signals that you are likely to cheat in business as well.

What to do if you can't get a better price on golf?

If they cannot give you a better price, they may be able to give additional things and include services like food, gift certificates, free rounds of golf, sleeves of golf balls. Try asking, they may have something that you need. Bring them more business. All golf courses need more business.

What are the conditions of a golf course?

Good conditions – Make sure that the golf course is in good shape. Good customer service – Friendly atmosphere and treated well. Good food and drinks – Not another burnt hot dog, treat them to good food. Something special – Maybe a highly ranked property or Private Country Club.

What is the goal of setting registration fees?

Setting registration fees. When setting registration fees there are some important factors to keep in mind. Your goal is to fill your field with golfers. There are many golf tournaments in your town and you want to price it right so as to offer value to your golfers. Do not over charge.

How to promote a tournament?

Spending the time up front on marketing and promotion will pay dividends in the end. A terrific way to promote an event is on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Think about creating a unique #hashtag for your event to encourage participants to engage with you on social media.

Do golfers have money to spend?

In general, golfers have money to spend, so if you provide the opportunities, they will! The added value also creates a memorable experience, and the participants will be more likely to join your event year after year. Here are some fun ideas to add to your next tournament.

Is hosting a golf tournament profitable?

Hosting a profitable golf tournament. Planning a charitable golf tournament can be a very rewarding experience, although it does take some planning and organizing to be successful. The following will help you maximize the potential profit for your event. Players have fun, and you raise money for a great cause…that’s a win/win!

Do golf courses give you a discount?

Some golf courses want you to bring additional golfers and will give you a quantity discount, the more golfers that you bring the better the price. Course buy out. In some situations you may get a better price if you buy the whole course for the day, sometimes even half a day.