Golf Business Podcast

Happy Tuesday! Today we talk about the importance of using cold weather or rain days to gain more information about the market that you are competing in. A competitive analysis done a few times a year can make sure that you are on top of where you stand amongst your competitors.  Most people would say "I have a good idea of where we are compared to the others". From a broad sense, that can be true.  However, rankings, course conditions, pricing  and everything else can change many times throughout the season.  We talk about building a competitive analysis worksheet and delegating it to your staff during your slow days to get all the information that you need quickly.  Competitive Analysis charts can be built with this information as well as the more visual graphs to be able to utilize your resources to adjust what your are doing to get you in the part of the market that you want to be. Make sure you check out the FIND THE GREEN BLOG starting Tomorrow Wednesday, January 16th, 2019 tha

Happy Tuesday!  In the second episode of Season 2, we are going to talk about cleaning up your website.  I have analyzed 50 websites today and broke down a few major issues with a lot of them. Unfortunately, marketing is looked at as an expense to most golf professionals, not an investment. Building a website can not only inform any potential golfer about the services offered at the club, but it can generate revenue directly on the site.  The key is to make sure that your website is streamlined and effective. Broken links, lack of connection with customers, and no revenue generating pages will leave your facility with money on the table. Listen now to eliminate some serious drains on revenue. Thanks for listening!  With your help, we have continued to grow faster than we expected!  SO as always TELL 1 FRIEND, TELL 2 FRIENDS, TELL 8 FRIENDS and we can raise the waterline of the golf industry! Have a great week and Happy 2019!

Happy New Year!  Today, we are going to dive into the world of golf clinics. There are so many people having a clinic or two a week and wondering why they are not getting anywhere in golf instruction. It is important to understand that you are trying to help someone enjoy the game of golf better. That doesn't always require a 300 yard drive. There are people that are just starting the game and want to know if it's fun or not, people that are new to town and are looking for some new friends to play golf with, people that are looking to spend some time with family and potentially learn a new skill. These are opportunities for Golf Professionals to be ambassadors to the game through a clinic format. We will dive into it all...just click on the download button. Thanks for listening!  With your help we continue to grow faster than we expected!  SO as always TELL 1 FRIEND, TELL 2 FRIENDS, TELL 8 FRIENDS and we can raise the waterline of the golf industry! Have a great week and Happy 2019!

Happy Holidays!  Today, we talk about a few valuable presents that you can use to start  generating revenue and participation because of your attention to your customer.  I have 3 presents and Santa has a big one at the end for you to make a Ho Ho Whole lot of money in 2019! Thanks for listening! PLEASE tell a friend, tell two friends, TELL 8 FRIENDS and we can make the golf industry better for everyone! If you want to contact us, email me at jrockhold@pga.com or you can reach out to me on Instagram or Twitter @FindtheGreen or on Facebook at Find The Green. The Find the Green series is going to contain different aspects of the business: Operations, Marketing, Strategy, Branding, and Social Media Footprints. Check www.rockholdandassociates.com for upcoming Find The Green blogs, books, and conversation that can help raise the waterline of the industry. Jump in and enjoy the ride!

Happy Tuesday! Today we dive into YOU! Most of us are so busy planning and setting goals for our facilities, we tend to forget about doing the same for ourselves. It is SO important to plan for your life early. Personal goals, Professionals goals, and Future Expectations are my 3 lists that I use to help guide myself through life. When you start to plan your path to your future, it makes it easier to make small daily steps toward your ideal future as opposed to waiting until a year or two from your Future expectations and try to force something to happen. Thanks for listening! WE ARE ALMOST TO 1000 DOWNLOADS per month and IT IS ALL THANKS TO YOU! I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH! PLEASE tell a friend, tell two friends, TELL 8 FRIENDS and we can make the golf industry better for everyone! If you want to contact us, email me at jrockhold@pga.com or you can reach out to me on Instagram or Twitter @FindtheGreen or on Facebook at Find The Green. The Find the Green series is going to contain different aspe

Happy Tuesday! As the year comes to a close, it is time to start to look forward to 2019 and the new season. For some this means a quick look at the budget and updating the numbers a certain percentage and calling it good. However, today we dive into Planning for the future of your business and how deep we go is completely dependent on you. I recommend planning your annual budget in a monthly breakdown to include all events, sales, and programs that you are going to do and how far in advance you plan to announce it. Your customers have their own budgets to work with and the earlier they receive your plans the easier it is for them to schedule for your events. Thanks for listening! WE ARE ALMOST AT 1000 DOWNLOADS Per Month and IT IS ALL THANKS TO YOU! I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH! PLEASE tell a friend, tell two friends, TELL 8 FRIENDS and we can make the golf industry better for everyone! If you want to contact us, email me at jrockhold@pga.com or you can reach out to me on Instagram or Twitter @Find

Happy Tuesday! This week we talk about the importance of utilizing WORD OF MOUTH to gain some much needed support for the marketing operation. Word of mouth is still the biggest and most reliable form of marketing. So we need to not only take advantage of it, but reward those that do it consistently! Your customer acquisition costs can be greatly diminished with the help of a well organized SOAPBOX TEAM! Don't forget this week's challenge! BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE! Get online and check out all the reviews sites for your facility. Respond to every positive and negative review and acknowledge them! Send me an email and I will give you a shout out in the next podcast! Thanks for listening! WE ARE ALMOST AT 1000 DOWNLOADS Per Month and IT IS ALL THANKS TO YOU! I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH! PLEASE tell a friend, tell two friends, TELL 8 FRIENDS and we can make the golf industry better for everyone! If you want to contact us, email me at jrockhold@pga.com or you can reach out to me on Instagram and Twitter @Fin

Happy Tuesday! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving weekend! Today we are going to talk about the 1.1 TRILLION dollars (that's with a T) that was spent on gifts over the past 5 days. Did you get a portion of that in your sales? Your pro shop IS A RETAIL OUTLET and it is important to understand why the best in the retail space do what they do when they do it. As a retailer, it is important to utilize the buying patterns that have been adopted by our society and take advantage of it for your shop. During the first few years, you are going to have to announce your sales earlier than other retailers to get your customer's attention. These announcements tell the customers that you are "IN LINE" with their buying habits and would like to be considered for their purchases. We cover the importance of a retail sales calendar and planning ahead of the holidays to eliminate knee-jerk sales ploys that tend to get a watered down following. Your customer is looking for the goods you have, and by promoting early, it gives

Happy Tuesday! Today, we are going to dive into the art of adding Value for your customers. Value is how our customers judge the use of their resources. If you can provide a positive value to their experience, there is a good chance that they will come back. The basic equation for value is: Value= Benefits-Costs Most operators feel the only way to get more value for the customer is to drop the costs and then the value will go up. This is absolutely true. However, it is the most expensive way to add value for the customer. By utilizing VALUE ADD benefits, instead of subtracting from costs, it gives you the ability to increase the customers perceived benefit at an actual cost that is much lower. For example, if you add a $10 basket of range balls benefit for the customer, the actually cost is about $1 for picking and maintenance(but you still charge the full amount for golf). DISCOUNTING deducts fees to lower costs. It does increase value but it lowers your top line revenue in the process. (A $10 disco

Happy Tuesday! Today we dive into the Lifetime Value of the Golfer and what happens when we show customers that we care. Distracted or Unavailable staff is the biggest deterrent for golfers/potential golfers in the business, (customers in any business really). It is our job to make sure that everyone that we meet or help is happy that we did. ALSO... This week's challenge: Talk to 10 customers/golfers for 2-3 minutes and ask them some questions about themselves. THEN, send me some of the things that you find out. I will put a few of them in one of my future podcasts! GOOD LUCK! Thanks for listening! You are helping this podcast grow exponentially! So please tell a friend, tell two friends, TELL 8 FRIENDS and we can make the golf industry better for everyone! Contact me by email me at jrockhold@pga.com or you can reach out to me on Instagram and Twitter @FindtheGreen or on Facebook at "Find The Green". The Find the Green series contains all different aspects of the business: Operations, Marketing, Strate

Happy Tuesday! Today we talk about the 160 billion dollar GIFT CARD industry and the importance of getting on board. This is the time to take advantage of the heighten awareness of gift cards and promote them with deals, add-ons, or purchase bonuses. You will find that a gift card not only increases your companies cashflow, but it also commits a dollar amount to be spent at your facility. (what other gift can guarantee that?) Gift cards bring people to your facility that with a cash gift might not come or spent less because of the lack of commitment of the funds. But why would someone do such a thing? Cash can be used anywhere. What would make them want to commit to spending with you? Listen close. VALUE. Press play and check it out. Thanks for listening! You are helping this podcast grow exponentially! So please tell a friend, tell two friends, TELL 8 FRIENDS and we can make the golf industry better for everyone! If you want to contact us, contact me at jrockhold@pga.com or you can reach out to me

Happy Tuesday! Today we dive into the hot water of salary and expectations. The golf business is losing great people because they are not keeping up with market for talent. We have to understand that with technology comes greater reach, however, with a consistent and caring staff comes relationships. Relationships are the key to increasing the Lifetime Value of the Golfer and we are drastically falling short on this metric. If a Team Leader at a fast food restaurant get more $/benefits than an assistant golf professional, it is going to be tough in 15 years when we need a developed staff to run the facility. As we grow the interest in the game on a global scale, it is IMPERATIVE that we have a staff at the course that can welcome and support the spirit of the game. Without a qualified staff, we are going to see a drop in engagement because of the poor experience that the customers have. If you want to contact us, contact me at jrockhold@pga.com or you can reach out to me on Instagram and Twitter @FindtheGr

Happy Tuesday! On our 25th episode, we talk about the 2018 NGF Golf Industry Report and some great new numbers that show improved interest in the game and new demographics that can open the doors for increased play on course and off. It is up to us to take these new potential golfers and beginning golfers and show them the game that we love and inspire them to make it a part of their lives. If you want to contact us, contact me at jrockhold@pga.com or you can reach out to me on Instagram and Twitter @FindtheGreen or on Facebook at Find The Green. The Find the Green series is going to contain different aspects of the business: Operations, Marketing, Strategy, Branding, and Social Media Footprints. Check www.rockholdandassociates.com for upcoming Find The Green blogs, books, and conversation that can help raise the waterline of the industry. Jump in the boat and enjoy the ride! I would like to thank the National Golf Foundation for the 2018 Golf Industry Report from which the statistics that I talk abou

Happy Tuesday! Today we are talking about how to change up your strategy for the changing season and what you can do, entering the end of October, to grow your engagement to the pro shop, restaurant, and lesson tee. I have two different suggestions strings that are divided by northern clubs and southern clubs. As you know, the southern clubs are starting to come out of their summer slowdown and the northern clubs are starting their WINTER HIBERNATION. With these suggestions, hopefully, your top line revenue will stay awake and make you some money. Southern clubs, this is your kickstart time! Take advantage of a new season by offering new packages, logo merchandise, and events to spice it up and gain more interest. If you want to contact us, contact me at jrockhold@pga.com or you can reach out to me on Instagram and Twitter @FindtheGreen or on Facebook at Find The Green. The Find the Green series is going to contain different aspects of the business: Operations, Marketing, Strategy, Branding, and Social Medi

Happy Tuesday! This week we are covering some areas of junior golf that can help you grow your program and increase your overall revenue by providing additional content and programming for the parents during the time that they are at the course for the junior program. Depending on how you approach the junior golf program, it can be a hinderance or a blessing. Many golf clubs send their 3rd assistant to run a program that is comprised of hitting golf balls on the range for the full hour and getting swing instruction. IF YOUR JUNIOR PROGRAM IS NOT FUN AND MEMORABLE, it will not exist. PERIOD. In order to grow your program, you need to be promoting FUN, FRIENDSHIP, AND FUN AGAIN. If you work in some skill improvement into the mix, you will be a industry leader! There are some pre-made junior programs, (AKA PGA Junior League) which is an amazing program. However, do NOT let this be your only junior offering. Make sure that you are covering all aspects of the participants, including the parents! They are on site

Happy Tuesday! Today we are going to talk about COMMUNICATION at a golf facility from the top of the hierarchy (owners, board of directors, management companies), top management, front line staff, marketing department, membership, and food and beverage. These departments need to be on the same page for all aspects of the customer experience to make sure the brand of the facility is being realized. Clear customer pathways will lead to positive experiences. If you want to contact us, contact me at jrockhold@pga.com or you can reach out to me on Instagram and Twitter @FindtheGreen or on Facebook at Find The Green. The Find the Green series is going to contain different aspects of the business: Operations, Marketing, Strategy, Branding, and Social Media Footprints. Check www.rockholdandassociates.com for upcoming Find The Green blogs, books, and conversation that can help raise the waterline of the industry. Jump in the boat and enjoy the ride!

Happy Tuesday! Today we are going to talk about the amazing weekend of the Tour Championship and discuss 7 ways to capitalize on this new WAVE OF INTEREST that is coming to golf. It is important to be the surfer that is on the wave and not the one watching it go by. Tiger Woods story is developing more and more into a story of a fallen gladiator that has recovered from injury and scandal to reach the top of the game again. Take advantage of this story and help welcome people that are coming to the game by sharpening up your online look, your offerings, and your skills to be able to welcome this resurgence of interest to the game. If you have any questions or comments reach out to me by email at jrockhold@pga.com or on any of our social media (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram) @findthegreen. Make sure to TELL 1 Friend, TELL 2 friends, TELL 7 friends to subscribe, your help growing this podcast is greatly appreciated. Our goal is to help golf professionals and owners FIND THE GREEN!

Happy Tuesday! Today we are going to talk about the differences between Branding and Advertising efforts and what needs to be done to strengthen the campaigns. For Branding it is key to make sure that your staff is engaged and participating in the mission and are not afraid to go the extra mile to make sure that you are portraying the golf experience the way that you brand it to be. With advertising, this is a straight connection to benefit of the interaction. Direct offer= Direct benefit. As you know, we have changed our podcast name to fit with our overall movement for the golf industry. Find the Green is our platform to help golf professionals, owners, and other stakeholders become more educated about our market and collaborate with others in the industry to Raise the Waterline for golf participation. If you have any questions, need some help, or would like me to present our mission, please email me at jrockhold@pga.com or reach out on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram @FindtheGreen.

Happy Tuesday! Today we dive into our new name and our mission in the golf business. We are looking to utilize this platform to help all golf professionals, course owners, and other stakeholders increase their understanding of the customers that we serve and grow the game. We also focus on developing partnerships and broad stroke some different types of partnership that can help make a difference in your top line revenue and your connection to the community. If you want to contact us, contact me at jrockhold@pga.com and now you can reach out to me on Instagram and Twitter @FindtheGreen or on Facebook at Find The Green. We are constructing a website that will provide a platform of blogs, videos, and connections to our upcoming book series that will help expand your viewpoint on golf in the community and help provide a pathway to better profitability. The series is going to contain different aspects of the business: Operations, Marketing, Strategy, Branding, and Social Media Footprints.

Happy Tuesday! Today we are going to talk about planning for the next year starting with a deep analysis of what happened THIS year. Gathering staff as soon as you can to talk about the good things and the bad things that happened during an event, promotion, instructional offering, your online presence and your partnerships can get you started in the right direction before your start to plan. Waiting until next year to reflect can cause forgotten events that can drain your future profits. Best practices and benchmarks can put your business ahead of the rest. As always, if you have any questions or comments, email me at jrockhold@pga.com or hit me up on Instagram, Twitter @findthegreen, Facebook at Find the Green. Your question could be the subject of the next podcast! My goal is to put together some best practices and start to grow the game nationwide. As a team, we can help raise the waters and all boats will float higher! Thank you for being a part of the movement! Have a great day!