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What is it about most golf shops (and other specialty shops, like fly shops, ski shos, etc.)? They always have that attitude when you walk in and they don't know you. They look at you like you don't belong there or you have to earn your dues or something. Usually they will become really friendly if you initiate it, and especially if you show some knowledge, but otherwise it reminds me of those old cowboy movies when some strangers walks into the saloon and all the other people stop what they are doing and stare.

Now that I read that, it sounds like a bad comedy routine. "What's up with that?!?"

I notice that too and it really bothers me because it really does not create a friendly atmosphere from the start and it is bad business relation with the customers who support them. I too will usually have to initiate a greeting and then 99% of the time things are groovy from there. I think it is society these days and it is a shame. I am not saying it should be "welcome to walmart" but ...... it is a great start to possibly having a return customer or good referrals.

Agreed, if you ain't buying anything they don't want to talk. I can talk about cars in a garage but I can't talk about golf in a pro shop.

It is possible that for many golf store employees, it might be just-a-job. Like working at an assembly plant, or department store, or your local sign shop. Hard work for low pay. It's also possible that some guys work at a golf shop so they can get employee discounts on equipment and apparel.

Many employee's have the tedious and laborious tasks of stocking shelves, sweeping floors, cleaning the toilets, and doing inventory, amongst other duties... which is probably not that enjoyable. Another factor could be having to deal with headstrong, impolite customers who have the holier-than-thou attitude. There are many variables to contend with.

And heck, wouldn't you rather be golfing than working?

Good point! What torture it would be to work in a golf store, surrounded by all that terrific equipment, and not be able to play between 10 am and 10 pm--or something like that! I'd be really nasty after a few days of that!

Or how about working on the course, standing on the greens, raking the sand, mowing the grass, changing the hole locations, and everything else one can do while you watch others play?

I would like to own my own golf superstore...that would be the ****, i would probably just live in the closet lol

I think it might be that most of these guys are into the sport/activity that the shop deals in. Like the foresome in front of you are always hackers or the guy down the stream is always a bait fisherman in your eyes or you buddies eyes, the guys at the shop look at you as a no good, beginner, here to buy some clubs and fill up the local course even more than it is and bascially screw up their good times. Then you show them you are a decent golfer and you become part of the in crowd. I think activities like this are clicky and it shows in the shop as much as on the course. It still isn't a good way to conduct business.

Assembly plant does'nt deal with the public a golf shop does. I was a shelf stocker and have a ho hum drum job but I am still a human being and know how to acknowledge people. Maybe hearing a funny story from a customer or a joke may just make the day go by easier and faster. think about it.

Good read golfdawg. I came up with those jobs out of the blue. No rhyme or reason. I work at a sign shop, I get it. If we weren't friendly to our customers we'd go out of business.

You're right. No matter what job you have, especially customer oriented jobs, be friendly to the customer and you will have return business.

And yes, I do wonder why some of the guys at my local golf shop are 'just there'... until you acknowledge them.

Most of the guys who work at the pro shop at my muni are high school or college students and do it for the golfing priveledges...I've talked with most of them and they love the game just like us...****, if I'd had the chance I would have done the same when I was young and had no responsibilities.

This topic has been brought up a few times. It is interesting to hear everyone's opinions from both sides....a) the customer b) the golf shop worker.

I would find it difficult to criticize someone's job when you haven't work in that particular profession. I see this happen all the time. I know someone who is always critical of the waiter/waitress. If you've never been a waiter how would you know how difficult the job can be at times. When the restaurant is packed or someone didn't show up for work and your short handed..etc, etc.

If you haven't work in a golf shop, then how can you fairly criticize the golf shop staff? But let me get back to that.

A golf shop is different from other forms of business because the golf shop isn't the primary source of revenue for a golf facility. Most of the revenue generated from a golf shop is from actual players themselves. And most golf shops are very simple. Its a man's man's type of shop. For the most part you have golf balls, gloves, shirts and shoes. Take two seconds get what you want and pay for it. No fuss.

I just don't understand what people want sometimes. Do you want us to roll out the red carpet when you come to the door? Do you want us to hold your hand and take you to the range in a golf cart so you can hit 200 yard slices with the latest 500 dollar driver?

If you are looking for great conversation its probably a coin flip. Seriously, there are some people who work in golf shops that do it just for work, part time work maybe, maybe a side job. Who knows. BUT, I can guarantee one thing. That golf shop worker has to talk about golf all day long.

Imagine this. Every person that walks in the door is going to ask you how Tiger is playing that day. What position he is in. How many under is he. Did he birdie the last hole? And OF COURSE you always get the person's opinion on whether or not he likes Tiger. Did Tiger Win? No? What happened? What did he do on 18? What do you mean Tiger didn't play this week?!?!?

You ever get home from work and just want to sit down and relax and not be bother for a couple minutes???? The last thing you probably want to talk about is work right? Right.

I want to be treated like a valued customer. I'm not expecting a deep conversation about life or the history of golf, but a, "Welcome to the shop, may I help you?", at least. Not a scowl or a suspicious look, but a friendly gesture that makes me feel like I didn't just walk into a private club house. I want someone to take a few minutes of their day and answer my questions and discuss my purchase like they care, or are at least getting paid to care. Not just grunt and walk back to the counter to resume the inane chatter with coworkers. To me it doesn't matter how much they get paid or their age. They are getting a fair wage to do a job and should do it. If they don't like it, hate talking shop or generally hate people, find a new job.

I just want to get home, log in, and ask you how Tiger did today!

I couldn't have put it better Dan. I also have too often noticed an arrogance bordering on rudeness from golf shop employees, as if they always have something better to do... as if you're a bother. This isn't true at all of them, of course, but at far too many. I worked at a number of jobs where I had to deal with the public when I was young, all a lot more difficult than pushing golf equipment & apparel (selling mens clothing, grocery store cashier, bank teller). The sort of attitudes I've seen in some of the golf shops wouldn't last for a day in many of these other jobs where one has to deal with the public. Pure speculation, but I think a lot of them, and not just the young guys, like to think that they are above pushing product in a golf shop and the pose of superiority helps them reinforce that fiction, at least to themselves.