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My son (22 and loves golf) wants to start a golf club making and repair shop in our small town.
We have two small country clubs in town but the are very limited and only regrip clubs. My son knows how to make and repair clubs but I would like to know if anyone here has tried it and if it was a profitable venture. Also we would like any ideas for starting out or what to problems to avoid.

I haven't tried this, as I am only 15. But it sound like a very good idea and want to wish you luck for it.

Send him to a Clubmaking School

Golfsmith
Golfworks
PCS (Pro Club Makers)
Mitchell

Let him learn the basics, and give it a shot.
Regripping, reshafting, adjusting loft and lies, will be a good way to have "steady business" then he can get into custom fitting, etc...

Give Christian a shout at www.customgolfsales.com He supplies many clubmakers/wannabe clubmakers with supplies all the time.

Best of luck in your (Son's) venture, if you decide!

provided there's no big boys in your town (Golf Galaxy) you should be pretty well off. I've seen a few small business club shops get shut out here because of the GG. Even with cheaper prices, they couldnt compete with the selection. Sad but true.

I think his best bet would be to purchase clubs off of ebay or rockbottomgolf (I think that is it) and then resale them to the town. If the golf courses have proshops he could seriously under cut their prices while makeing a pretty penny. Also you might get him to look into golf cart repair as there is big money in that, lots of battery cables and welding new battery trays into them. He also should look into getting permission to retrieve golf balls from the water hazards and resale them. There a whole list of stuff you could make money on, most of it is in the little stuff people don't think about. I think that it is easily possible he could make it depending on how much he has to use for start up costs and rent fees. Just remember its better to turn over products quickly for less of a profit (cause you can reinvest it into more other things) then hold out for longer on a larger profit.

Money is all relative...I'm sure that he would be able to make a living by it...

i wish we had a clubmaking and repair shop in my town. I was going to have to drive an hour to get to the nearest golfsmith to get my driver reshafted.

Here in Central NJ, I've dealt with a clubmaker who has a mobile shop. He drove to different driving ranges in the area (with their permission) and would meet his clients. It was a large van (UPS size) and it contained all the equipment needed. Pretty neat.

Gen
Ive seen that done with local ranges here too. I think its a great idea!

Learn all you can about all the OEM clubs out there...specs, sizes, etc. Work with them as far as reshafting, gripping, etc. Decent profits can be made if you do GOOD work...on reshafting Callaway Bore through's for example. Be prepared to regrip putters...with laser alignment tools, extend shaft lengths, spine shafts, etc. All of this is very easy if you have the tools. In my area at least, there is not a good market for cheap component clubs...most can be purchased on sites like eBay for less than they cost you to build. BUT the OEM repair/upgrade business is great!

my brother and I started out doing this as a "side business" for members that we used to caddy for and built on the word of mouth and that led to a steady stream of business that that is somewhat profitable, however we really just do on the side because it's just a passion of both of ours...if you have any questions feel free to ask and I wish you and your son the best in your endeavor.

I have been running a sucessfull shop for a number of years. It will take a few years to get a reputation of doing quality work. Schooling is a must , the PCS is the place to contact they can hook you up with a good school. Also get PCS certified you need credentials. Finally dont underprice your product. If you sell cheap you will attract cheap customers not willing to spend for quality equipment. Stay away from the golfsmiths and golfworks companies cut and glue guys are selling this stuff on line and much of it is poorly built by persons not havng a clue what they are doing. Also learn to properly fit a customer. Buy Tom Wishons clubmaking books for a good start on learning to fit.
Thanks Ken

all the above !!!! good ideas too good luck to you and your son

Proftitable? Of course it could be, it's like any business, it depends who's doing it. Some hamburger bars are not very profitable, and some are McDonalds. There's certainly a market for golfers wanting clubs made or repaired. If you haven't read it yet, read a book called 'The E Myth'. Very good book about business, not too technical either.