Who would visit a custom golf shop?

[rckwd]

I have a spare 1500 sq ft house and was thinking about turning into a Pro shop. This property sits right on the hwy that leads to one of the top 100 private courses in the country( http://www.curraheeclub.com/ )...(this country club does not a have a pro shop or range).. I was wanting to put in a custom shop that also has a launch monitor with a realistic PC course inside. Outside.. I am thinking about mowing down 150 yds of trees for a range.

In this economy due you think it would be advisable. I would be offering everything in a country club setting but without the membership dues.

[mdvaldosta]

Some of the most successful businesses have been launched during a recession :)

If you can make it in this economy you can make it in any, or so they say.

[rckwd]

Some of the most successful businesses have been launched during a recession :)

I am going to hold you to that...(up 75/85/985/365)..LOL

[chipper2]

Good luck in your venture. Just make sure you have working capital for 6 to 12 months. This is the big failure of new small business. They expect sales from the start. Sales take time for people to know your there. Customers may visit once or twice before they buy. I hope you make it big.

[rckwd]

Good luck in your venture. Just make sure you have working capital for 6 to 12 months. This is the big failure of new small business. They expect sales from the start. Sales take time for people to know your there. Customers may visit once or twice before they buy. I hope you make it big.

Talking of capital....the only thing I am worried about is product. The property and building are paid for. I dont want to start this venture with inferior product. So, as this is new to me, I have no idea how to acquire "name brand" products (clubs, bags, balls..etc) without paying consumer prices. I have already talked to the Adidas/Taylor Made plant (which is just a couple of miles from my house) and got "somewhat" of a deal, but they want volume orders...(not what I am looking at...I want a custom, home, one-on-one environment)

[rckwd]

Talking of capital....the only thing I am worried about is product. The property and building are paid for. I dont want to start this venture with inferior product. So, as this is new to me, I have no idea how to acquire "name brand" products (clubs, bags, balls..etc) without paying consumer prices. I have already talked to the Adidas/Taylor Made plant (which is just a couple of miles from my house) and got "somewhat" of a deal, but they want volume orders...(not what I am looking at...I want a custom, home, one-on-one environment)

One more thing about the capital...I am losing $32,000 a year in loss of rental with this venture.(not including the $2,000 in tax estimate (..I have 1510 acres and 4 houses to pay for) so I have to make something..LOL

[buttuh]

If you don't rely on it for income and have the necessary capital then I think it's worth a shot. Afterall if the property is just sitting there not generating income then what the hell... give it a whirl.

[TN94z]

I would say that you need to have enough money to consider it more of a hobby at first. I don't think you will get rich at it. Don't buy a ton of equipment until you see what kind of business you are going to have. Advertising and word of mouth will be key!

[TheWarHound]

Good luck, bro . . . hope you make it work. One bad thing about living here in East Egypt Bumfrack, I am miles and miles away from good pro shops. If I was within 100 miles, I would patronize your shop.

[rckwd]

Good luck, bro . . . hope you make it work. One bad thing about living here in East Egypt Bumfrack, I am miles and miles away from good pro shops. If I was within 100 miles, I would patronize your shop.

Thats exactly what I am counting on......we are 50 miles north of Golfsmith, Edwin Watts, PGA Store...etc and I would love to give the locals custom reshafting, gripping, head replacement, swing analysis etc.

[rckwd]

I would say that you need to have enough money to consider it more of a hobby at first. I don't think you will get rich at it. Don't buy a ton of equipment until you see what kind of business you are going to have. Advertising and word of mouth will be key!

BTW...Go DAWGS..LOL

[rckwd]

If you don't rely on it for income and have the necessary capital then I think it's worth a shot. Afterall if the property is just sitting there not generating income then what the hell... give it a whirl.

Fortunately..I dont have to have it for income.....I was wanting something that I could enjoy and give my father and mother something to do in their retirment years and be a pleasure to me and community...and maybe a little tax write off (which isnt that important)

[RocketSauce]

sounds like a great idea. good luck. that would be really cool

[Shindig]

I was wanting to put in a custom shop that also has a launch monitor with a realistic PC course inside. Outside.. I am thinking about mowing down 150 yds of trees for a range.

If you're doing the launch monitor, I'm guessing you're doing custom fitting too?

There is (or, actually, was - I think they went out of business) a place around here that did that: Max Out Golf. The inside of the shop had lots of clubs as well as many hitting bays, but the shop did not extend outside (tough to do that in most parts of Los Angeles). They were in business for quite some time, and had a somewhat good reputation, seeing as how it was owned and largely operated by a former U.S. Amateur champion. I had a particularly bad experience with them, and will be viewing "independent" custom golf shops with caution in the future, but I think the idea itself is sound. If you're doing custom fitting and selling equipment, make sure you are making suggestions based on what's best for your customer, not just suggesting the most expensive stuff. Everyone I know who went (to this location, at least - I'm told their NY location is better) ended up with the same iron shafts, same driver/shaft suggestions, same putter suggestion, etc. Funny how everyone seems to be told they'll hit a $500 TaylorMade driver with a $300 shaft upgrade the best. I was also told that the iron shafts they sold me were steel, and they turned out to be part graphite. When I called to ask about this, the phone calls weren't returned. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck if you do that, but make sure you don't fall into the above trap. Maybe get some customers' permission to publish what they had before and after, particularly if they are success stories. In particular, this can show customers that you suggest different things to different people. I really like the idea of having a launch monitor where one can determine which clubs are best for him or her and having a range where the customer can go and actually hit the clubs and see the ball flight.

[TN94z]

BTW...Go DAWGS..LOL

HAHA!! I hear you...hey what can I say with the last year or two that TN has had. Maybe the new coach will put something together.

[putput]

Hey good luck man, i really hope it works out! If i am ever in the area i will make sure to stop by for a fitting ^_^.