Working in the golf industry...

[Alohaed]

I am not sure where to post this so I apologize if itis in the wrong place and also if this has been brought up before. I am Sr Computer programmer, done this for 23 years. Also been unemployed for most of the past 2 years. All the jobs are outsourced, and there are hardly anymore tech jobs for Americans. I am working, short time again, with no benefits as a consultant. Since I love golf so much, I was thinking of getting in the industry. Maybe club technician, setting up clubs, reshafting, changing the lie angles, regripping, etc. Or, since I love outdoors, being in golf course maintenance, whatever. I see these "Golf Academy of America", "SD Golf School", etc. Thing is, the course is around 14 months, 8 hours daily. Not only are they extremely costly, there's paying for rooming, or renting somewhere. No time for work, expcept maybe weekends. So you would need 14 months living expences available, along with healthcare, etc. If I were a rich, silverspoon, kid, who's mommy and daddy can send me there, fine. But I am 53 years old. And not rich. :( Are these schools worth it? And will one find work and make up the costs from employment? Or does anyone out there know of any courses one can take for specific golf related tasks? Thes schools teach everything: phsycology, how to me a pga teaching professional, how to work on equipment, the full gamut. AND one must have a 75 - 80 handicap, I think. Forget THAT. The only good thing about the schools is that you play 3 - 4 hours of golf each day. Any one have any knowlledge on this topic?

[clubchamp]

I'm not sure if those schools are worth it because all of my friends that went on to be a club pro did it by working under the pro at a club and working their way up. I can however tell you that if you want to do lie and angle just go get a job at a golf store and eventually you will learn. Working with a greens keeper is also a matter of finding someone who is hiring and apply. I can however tell you that working in the golf industry does not pay all that well and benefits are not common. Good luck I'm sure if you look hard enough you will find something

[Shindig]

I am not sure where to post this so I apologize if itis in the wrong place and also if this has been brought up before. I am Sr Computer programmer, done this for 23 years. Also been unemployed for most of the past 2 years. All the jobs are outsourced, and there are hardly anymore tech jobs for Americans.

No offense, but this sounds more like an excuse than a reason. Look, if you want to abandon your career line and go to golf, I'm all for it. I dream of doing the Paper Tiger thing myself, for that matter (my dreams frequently have me with better results than Mr. Coyne).

But it seems everyone I know who is unemployed nowadays isn't in tech work, and everyone I know who has switched jobs and/or gotten a raise lately is in tech. All but one of these is working in the U.S.. The exception was offered jobs in the U.S. and decided to work abroad instead. Unless you were programming linked list library code, or answering tech calls about aunt Sally can't find the start button, I'd wonder more about your qualifications (degree, experience, etc) than whether the jobs are going overseas. Now, if you're serious about working in the golf industry, and think you can manage it, I would encourage you to follow your dreams, regardless of how many jobs in your (possibly previous) field may exist.

[WUTiger]

... I am Sr Computer programmer... All the jobs are outsourced... I am working, short time again, with no benefits as a consultant. Since I love golf so much, I was thinking of getting in the industry. Maybe club technician, setting up clubs, reshafting, changing the lie angles, regripping, etc.

Consider the GolfWorks training programs for clubfitting and club making. Most programs are a week or less, and cost under $1,000 for training fee. (Also allow $$ for hotel room, food and transportation.)

Club designer and engineer Ralph Maltby founded GolfWorks, and the training programs are a spinoff. See both the Maltby and the related Golfworks sites: http://www.ralphmaltby.com/ http://www.golfworks.com/ Also, contact Golf Galaxy and Golf Discount and other golf store chains, and see what job ops they have in your area. They could advise you on how much training would help. If GG or GD hired you for store-level clubfitting or repair, chances are you could eventually benefit them with your computer programming skills. Would be nice to have a club guy who could suggest tweaks to the company's inventory and logistics systems. Retraining Funds? If you lost your fulltime job to foreign outsourcing, check and see if there are any federal or state funds for job retraining. Don't know the details, I just know that some places have them. See if the GolfWorks schools would qualify. Hang tough, and good luck!

[AceDunk]

Not sure if this would be better posted in the off topic forum but I'll just post it here for now.

I'm currently an engineering (mechanical) student and will graduate within the next couple years so I'm starting think about what I might want to get into and looking at various options. Since I love golf I've been looking into opportunities in the golf industry in research and development of equipment. Just thought I would post here to see if anyone has any experience or knowledge in the area or can point me to any resources.