Having head pro call to reserve times at private courses.

[speeder757]

Use some common sense.....

Anyone/including yourself can pick up the phone and call the pro shop at any club in the country and ask if they offer recripricol (and with your club) and what the guest fee would be. Then at that point ask your pro to call if you so desire to go there. Most clubs will reciprocate Private to Private. It's not that difficult

[leejohnkieh]

Also, I do this quite often. If I play a really nice course, I’ll bring something back for the pro that booked the round for me.

 

bringing this thread back up. what do you usually bring back for your pro?

[jerebear21]

cash is king; just give them cash when you see them.

[johnnylongball]

Also, I do this quite often. If I play a really nice course, I’ll bring something back for the pro that booked the round for me.

 

bringing this thread back up. what do you usually bring back for your pro?

 

I typically give them a nice bottle of something they will like. If you don't know what your pro likes, you could ask one of the asst pros and they should know what he drinks.

[carrera]

cash is king; just give them cash when you see them.

 

That wouldn't seem to be the "right" gift for a club's PGA professional. As noted above, something like a favorite wine/bottle would be a better idea.

[jerebear21]

My pro never have an issue with me leaving him an envelope. Other things I do is cover his rounds at exclusive golf clubs as well. To each their own. A bottle of wine or shirt. Seems kind of weak imho.

[PuttLeftHitRight]

How much do club pros make? I'm fine leaving cash, but it does seem to lack in class.

[golfandfishing]

How much do club pros make? I'm fine leaving cash, but it does seem to lack in class.

 

Anywhere from $40k - $125k depending on the club.

[scott_Donald]

I am a member of a Royal course and we have a lot of reciprocals, in all honesty I have no idea all of them.

 

I am tempted next summer to go to Royal Montreal to give it a try as will be in Houston a lot next year.

 

In Houston a couple of years one of my dads friends managed to get us on Lochinvar and that was one amazing experience but not asked any favours since.

 

I am certainly one for I take you to my course and you take me to yours, the world can end up very small that way.

[BMC]

As one of the guys who would try to get you a tee time at another private course, we look at it as a service to our members. As long as it's only occasionally.

 

No tip or gift is necessary.

 

I work at a pretty upscale club. Some of our members ask to get on at some very exclusive places. Not usually going to happen.

[jerebear21]

How much do club pros make? I'm fine leaving cash, but it does seem to lack in class.

 

Well it’s also how you deliver it. Don’t give him 20 bucks each time You ask a favor. I Usually give him an envelope once a year with a couple hundro. Just take care of your pro.

 

FYI I travel a lot so I always ask my pro to take care of it for me. I don’t remember a time when he’s never tried.

[carrera]

Your pro and club is different than mine. You say a gift bottle for the pro is "weak". In my opinion, a pro who accepts envelopes of cash from members for doing things like setting up reciprocal play is not typical of a PGA professional.

[jerebear21]

I’ve never met a person that is allergic to money. I don’t have time to make a liquor run for every favor.

 

I also see no difference in what I’m doing and when my friend took his pro to muirfield village a couple weeks ago all paid for.

[golfandfishing]

Your pro and club is different than mine. You say a gift bottle for the pro is "weak". In my opinion, a pro who accepts envelopes of cash from members for doing things like setting up reciprocal play is not typical of a PGA professional.

 

A pro accepting cash is very typical of a pga professional. The typical pga pro is not well off financially. The profession is largely not well paid.

[jerebear21]

^^exactly.

 

I’ve actually taken care of other clubs pro that are in top 100 clubs. And it’s not like I throw money it at them. I take care of them because I appreciate them. Besides a cheap bottle of rare burbon is tougher to attain than a couple dollars here and there. I refuse to give secondary bourbon market any of my time. And no body likes a bottle of jack daniels. That’s like asking them to drink garbage.

[dpb5031]

I’ve never met a person that is allergic to money. I don’t have time to make a liquor run for every favor.

 

I also see no difference in what I’m doing and when my friend took his pro to muirfield village a couple weeks ago all paid for.

 

Ha, I've played some matches against guys who are seemingly allergic to their money, but that's a different story!

 

I tip our head pro and both assistants each year around the holidays and I know for certain that they greatly appreciate it. On occasion throughout the year I'll also send them lunch from a favorite pizza joint. Small stuff, but it all goes a long way.

 

There are still some head pros out there making a nice living, but most don't make a ton nowadays. The assistant pros are barely above poverty level on salary alone.

 

In terms of getting on other private clubs you'll typically be able to get on clubs that are equal or lesser than your own in prestige/reputation. Occassionally if your head pro is well-known with a good rep he may have some good connections worth exploiting

[2bGood]

Sorry for the confusion. I am a member at the course with my dad, I'm just working there also over the summer between school semesters. We've been members for nearly 10 years, so we know the pro and most of the other members well. I know the guest rates on really high end private courses can be ridiculous, and I certainly wouldn't back out once I've asked to play. Do you think I could contact the clubs about their guest rates before I ask my pro to call for me?

 

From what I have seen price is not static. It depends allot on the pro's relationship with the other pro/course and the pro's relationship with you.

 

Also through your head pro, sometimes getting a assistant pro to call it in make sense if they have a relationship at the other course.

[leejohnkieh]

Sorry for the confusion. I am a member at the course with my dad, I'm just working there also over the summer between school semesters. We've been members for nearly 10 years, so we know the pro and most of the other members well. I know the guest rates on really high end private courses can be ridiculous, and I certainly wouldn't back out once I've asked to play. Do you think I could contact the clubs about their guest rates before I ask my pro to call for me?

 

From what I have seen price is not static. It depends allot on the pro's relationship with the other pro/course and the pro's relationship with you.

 

Also through your head pro, sometimes getting a assistant pro to call it in make sense if they have a relationship at the other course.

That's what our assistant pro did for me. He's got connects at some nice clubs in LA and we were able to get squeezed in.

[golfandfishing]

^^

 

Light up your assistant pro here. Talk him up around the club (without telling everybody that he can get you on other courses), make sure the GM and DOG know that having him on staff makes your membership more valuable, recommend him to others for lessons. Last but not least, an envelope with some dough.

 

 

[1b!ggolfnut]

I think it is also worth noting that you should also do something nice for the host pro. Send a hand written note, a gift card, wine, anything, but just be respectful of them extending courtesy. It goes a long way with your home pro and club of extending courtesies again to your home club.

 

I also agree with doing the same for the Pro who arranged the unaccompanied play. Don't bring them a shirt because they likely have a closet full of free shirts and they can't wear another club's logo.