Not asking about an exclusive course like a TPC or a PGA level course but your average muni that we mostly play at.

For all the long days and work they have to put up with is it someone in the $50-60K range when you factor in lessons?

They probably do it for love of the game more than anything...

If you're talking about a typical assistant pro, your number is too high by a good amount. There's some money in the golf biz, but not until you're a GM or director of golf, etc.

Low 30's for an assitant pro at your run-of-the-mill course.

If you like playing golf, don't go into the business.

Troutslime nailed it. Have a couple of buddies that decided to go this route and all of them said the game just isn't fun anywhere (Newsflash: That's because it's a job). I know there are plenty of pros out there that love the gig, but I know for a fact that the hours blow, especially when you're starting out. And $30K for being an assistant pro is pretty spot-on.

When they owned the shops they made some serious coin back in the day. There was one pro in town pulling down 500k before his shop was bought out by a management company. Hou is right you have to be a dir if golf or gm and then you can make 60-250k a year. My wife is a gm and makes pretty decent money.

[This message has been edited by Agsuper1 (edited 3/5/2012 8:59p).]

Brother in law is director of golf at a decent Houston course. I think he's in the 60-70 range.

The key is for the head pro to own the golf shop. That is where the guys make a lot of money. Before that there isn't much.

Don't a lot of them own the carts and pocket the cart fee?

I think owning anything is pretty much a thing of the past. I'm not aware of any currently that own any part of the business (at least in Houston area).

Not saying they're not out there.

Exactly...have you guys ever meet a very "nice" assistant pro? Usually they are typical a-hoes...always in a bad mood and look miserable. I never would want to be that guy.

you guys are still overshooting some. unless your guys are hustling a gillion lessons.

I know of a few in Dallas, but I agree that this aspect is changing.

quote:

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I think owning anything is pretty much a thing of the past. I'm not aware of any currently that own any part of the business (at least in Houston area).

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I had operators on my maintenance staff making more than assistants

I heard through the grapevine that the pro at Sherrill Park makes well into the 6 figures, but he also owns all the carts, etc.

http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/government-employee-salaries/

Look up your muni's asst pro. You'll know why they're always pissed.

[This message has been edited by Lloyd Christmas (edited 3/16/2012 8:43a).]

My experience ...

The only people I know who are financially happy working at a golf course are (1) The GM and (2) Those who have other incomes or those who don't really have to work (working for the perks, and having access to a course for free is a huge perk for many).

The rest of them working at a golf course are financially miserable, and their attitudes usually reflect that.

[This message has been edited by aginlakeway (edited 3/16/2012 9:29a).]

RE: Low 30's for an assitant pro at your run-of-the-mill course.

Try low 20's.

Kinda goes against this statement you made the other day...

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I would assume that MOST amateur golfers would love to be a no name pro somewhere

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HouAggie,

Wow. I didn't know you read everything I wrote so closely. I'm flattered my words mean so much to you.

I disagree. My 2 statements AREN'T different. Being a golf pro is a dream job for many amateur golfers ... but like many dream jobs, it may not pay very well.

You have to have other financial interests to be financially happy as a club golf pro.

Thanks for paying so close attention to what I post!



[This message has been edited by aginlakeway (edited 3/16/2012 12:03p).]

No worries. With all the dumb sht you post, I have to keep a spreadsheet to keep up with it all!

Wow. Good for you! I never even thought about keeping up so closely (even days later) with what a stranger posts on a blog.

Have a great weekend.

[This message has been edited by aginlakeway (edited 3/16/2012 12:20p).]

quote:

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Being a golf pro is a dream job for many amateur golfers

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Not really...they dream about actually being on the PGA Tour and playing golf professionally. Nobody dreams about being a golf pro at their local course giving lessons, running operations, and manning the pro shop.

[This message has been edited by RealTalk (edited 3/16/2012 12:41p).]

Will do. Looking like I should get in 36 this weekend.

18 are on me one weekend in the Austin area.

RealTalk,

RE: Nobody dreams about being a golf pro at their LOCAL COURSE giving lessons, running operations, and manning the pro shop.

Actually, I know many folks that do want that job, especially if it's at two Nicklaus signature courses in a beautiful part of the state. That's a far cry from a local course.

Regardless, it sure beats working!

[This message has been edited by aginlakeway (edited 3/16/2012 1:11p).]

[This message has been edited by aginlakeway (edited 3/16/2012 1:14p).]

You missed my point.

PGA Tour golf professional vs golf pro at Nicklaus designed course in a nice part of the state.

9 out of 10 will pick PGA Tour golf professional.

you want to add a 'capable of making a few cuts' disclaimer in the pga player option?

I've always heard that if you love golf, don't go into the golf industry - including club pro. What looks great to you seems like torture to me - having to watch others play and enjoy golf while you answer phones, work as a glorified cashier, assemble 4-somes, help hacks with their awful swings, all while making ****ty money. I'm just fine making several times more money doing somethign else and still finding plenty of time to play golf each week.

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 3/16/2012 4:08p).]

My dad has been the pro at a pretty nice totally private club for 31 years. Yes, that's right, he has been at the same club for 31 years. Totally unheard of in the golf world. He makes a good living, but he sure isn't rich.

I don't think how much money you make is the key to happiness, or what makes a job a good job or a bad job. I think doing what you love doing is the key. And if you can pay your bills doing that ...

Me ... I did very well in non-golf businesses for 20 years. So now at age 48, I am able to get out of the real world and am back in the golf business. I love it. I love what I do and where I work and who I get to work with.

So maybe I'm not living the dream of many, or so they say on this board, but I'm financially well off. I'm married to a beautiful woman who also happens to be my best friend, I live in a nice home on the golf course I work at. We have a Mercedes and a golf cart in the garage. We are VERY healthy. And we have season tickets and love Aggie football.

So maybe I'm not living the dream many would have. But I enjoy my life. And it's good enough for me!

RealTalk ... anytime you want to play golf in Austin, let me know ...



[This message has been edited by aginlakeway (edited 3/16/2012 7:42p).]

[This message has been edited by aginlakeway (edited 3/16/2012 7:42p).]

aginlakeway, what course are you at?

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We have a Mercedes and a golf cart in the garage

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Oh dear. Serious life validation being sought on this thread. For what its worth, nowhere did I say that money is what makes a good or bad job. Might want to reread my post if thats all you took from it.

[This message has been edited by DannyDuberstein (edited 3/18/2012 4:02p).]

DD, all of the pros at my club get to play a bunch. It was the same when I worked at a course in high school. It may not suck as bad as you think.

lakeway, your situation is not typical and not at all what most folks are talking about here.

[This message has been edited by nom de plume (edited 3/18/2012 7:55p).]