Golf Industry Job Descriptions

This person manages the golf course and all of the functions within the course. They create the budgets for each year, hire necessary personnel, act as the host for major tournaments, are responsible for revenue at the pro shop and act as executive for each employee at the course. A college degree in business is preferred for a head golf professional, and being a professional member of the Professional Golf Association is mandatory. A head golf professional may also teach lessons and play in regional tournaments to keep their professional status.

The pro shop manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the pro shop. They are to maintain the product displays and put up new displays as needed. They submit regular inventory reports to the head golf professional to make sure the pro shop is properly stocked and manage the staff assigned to work in the pro shop. They also maintain regular contact with pro shop customers and report any customer concerns or comments to the head golf professional. The pro shop manager solves disputes with customers, and they are responsible for creating sales promotions that help to sell slow-moving product. It is preferred that a pro shop manager have retail sales experience, managerial experience and some college education in a field related to retail sales. Computer skills are necessary for the position, along with a strong math background.

The assistant golf professional is second only to the head golf professional in the chain of command at a golf course. It is the assistant golf professional that gives the majority of the lessons to customers and attends to the daily maintenance of the golf course. This person helps carry out the policies created by the head golf professional and acts as the head golf professional when the actual head professional is not available. A college degree in business management is preferred along with a strong math background. Some computer skills are helpful. It is not necessary to be a PGA professional, but most courses will make it a requirement that the assistant professional become affiliated with the PGA within three to six months after being hired.

The head groundskeeper is responsible for maintaining the course itself through mowing and other landscaping tasks. Any changes in the design of the course are usually given to the head groundskeeper to execute. A strong landscaping background and experience in maintaining a golf course are required to be a head groundskeeper.