Jump to content

"See if you can have your Pro get you on."


Recommended Posts

Ya kinda, usually exchange emails after and try to iron out the details. Sometimes you get ghosted, sometimes it works perfect, others they say "we can't do Saturday morning at 9:30 but if they're in town on thursday we can get them out anytime" one guy this year told us they'd love to host us but we just needed the name of one member as they allow unaccompanied but it still needs to be sanctioned by a member not the head pro. 

 

Still generally will come down to your home course reputation and your head pro reputation and whether or not they've made connections in the industry. My buddy befriended a couple head pros and top assistants at pga shows over the years and has been able to get us out at their places when we've been in town. 

  • Like 2

M2, maybe
915 FD
913 HD
712u 3
714 AP2 4-p
SM5 53, 59
Circa62

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

One of my old club pros would often immediately make the call while I was standing there. The conversation usually went like this:

 

"Hey Joe, it's Shooter McGavin over at Bushwood CC in Podunkville, how are you? Great. Say, I've got one of my members looking to play over there on the afternoon of Tuesday the 5th, could you work him in? Oh, the ladies' member-guest is that day? How about the following afternoon? Great. 1:16pm it is, his name is Bonneville85308 and it's just him as a single. I'll let him know it will be $115, his charge number here is B69. Thanks. Bye."

 

*I only made these requests of my pro if the other club was of fairly similar or lower stature/prestige. My pro never got a total "no", at worst my desired dates didn't work but they would accommodate me some other time, or the unaccompanied fee was more than I was willing to pay for that course.

Edited by Bonneville85308
  • Like 2
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

40 minutes ago, smashdn said:

I see this here a bunch and no doubt it works to have that phone call connection when you are traveling to get you on some place.

 

My question is, how exactly does that conversation go?

 

- "Hey is Rick Smith available?"

- "He just walked in from giving Dr. Smegma a playing lesson.  Here he is."

- "This is Rick."

- " Hey Rick this is Bill Jenkins, head pro at Rainbow Creek CC here in Mining City Utah.  I have a good stick here at the club that is going to be in your neck of the woods for a few days at a proctology conference and he would love to see your course and get in 18, whataya say?  Next time one of your members is up here in BFE and wants to get a round in and smell the sulfur from the water I am more than happy to return the favor. "

 

Yeah that's pretty much the gist of it. That being said... it typically needs to be a fairly "even" trade. The Pro at Podunk Goat Track CC isn't going to phone up the shop at Merion and secure a tee time for one of his members.

 

I've had my pro get me on a few random private clubs over the years when I've been in that area. They are nice clubs and courses, but about the same level as my own so it wasn't really a burden to ask him to do that. Even then I still usually get him a small gift (bottle of bourbon/wine) to say thanks.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, smashdn said:

I see this here a bunch and no doubt it works to have that phone call connection when you are traveling to get you on some place.

 

My question is, how exactly does that conversation go?

 

- "Hey is Rick Smith available?"

- "He just walked in from giving Dr. Smegma a playing lesson.  Here he is."

- "This is Rick."

- " Hey Rick this is Bill Jenkins, head pro at Rainbow Creek CC here in Mining City Utah.  I have a good stick here at the club that is going to be in your neck of the woods for a few days at a proctology conference and he would love to see your course and get in 18, whataya say?  Next time one of your members is up here in BFE and wants to get a round in and smell the sulfur from the water I am more than happy to return the favor. "

Intent the same, choice of words likely different.  But, there are calls where the Pro from "no named course for no name player", may be told, reciprocal isn't acknowledged, or they can't for various reasons.

  • TSR2 10° Ventus Velo TR Blue 58S
  • TSR2 15° Talamonti PD80R
  • T200 17' 2i Tensei AV Raw White Hybrid 95S
  • T100 3i & 4i MMT 85S
  • T100 5i to 9i MMT 105S
  • T100 PW, SM9 F52/12, M58/8, PX Wedge 120S
  • SC/CA Monterey
  • DASH -ProV1x
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Where things really come into play is when your pro knows the other pro.  Those are especially handy.  Especially if they went through their training together or something like that.  Again, you want to be flexible in your times(like someone said, you're dreaming about 9:30 on Saturday morning), and also be clear about expectations.  Reciprocals typically carry the understanding of free round there, and we'll comp one of your members when they come here, or maybe there is a cart fee.  If you are looking for access only, but are willing to pay a guest fee, that may or may not be better/worse.

 

I'm fortunate to not only belong to a private club, but also to be good friends with a pro who has a pretty wide network, and he is always willing to make a call.  Thus far I've experienced the following scenarios:

 

1)Full/partial comp:  I've had a handful of these where either a caddy/cart fee was asked, or nothing.  In all occasions, I make sure to buy a shirt and yardage book(if they have one) as usually the pro owns the shop, and thus any business goes to his bottom line.

 

2)Pay a guest fee:  As simple as it sounds.  Arranged for a time, and paid a guest fee.  Not sure if it was accompanied or unaccompanied, but I had agreed to it ahead of time, so no problem.

 

3)Confusion.  My buddy was actually in an area somewhat close to me(he lives quite some distance from me), so we arranged to play some golf.  He reached out to a contact of his and they got us set up at a course that hosts a tour event.  There were 3 of us, as one of my roadtrip buddies came along.  Somehow the pro at the hosting course got told all three of us were pros, when only my pro buddy is.  We had been told were comped ahead of time, but when we arrived, we were asked for our cards, and we said no, we're not pros, so the pro said to charge my buddy a cart fee and myself and the roadtrip buddy paid a guest fee.  It wasn't the end of the world, but it was embarrassing for my buddy.  He felt bad we had to shell out when we didn't expect to.  

 

These are the times I have played when a call has been made.  There have been several nos along the way, but that is usually more about the dates I may be passing through as opposed to courses not wanting anyone there.  I do not tend to even ask about the Pine Valley/ANGC or anything that remotely comes close to those courses because that just would be a waste of his time.

 

I would say I look at one, maybe two times a year where I would ask him about help, and I try to do as much legwork for him as possible, so that all he has to do is make the call.  

 

Depending on how well you know the pro, you also want to make sure they are thanked in some way, be it a bottle of something nice, or some other gift, or, if he owns a pro shop, run all your business through him.  Without becoming transactional about things, you want to let him know any efforts are appreciated, not an "expectation of my club pro."  

  

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The funnies aside, yes this is how it normally goes. Pro makes contact, if he doesn’t know the other pro he asks if they take reciprocal play. If so he sets it up and asks how they prefer to be paid - charge back to member’s club account, cash, credit card and how much it will be. Once confirmed the pro will reach out again prior to the tee time and ask if there is anything the players need to know. The players then MUST freaking show up. Like others said - buy some stuff, be likable, keep pace, treat members well. Even though you might be paying and maybe even paying a premium- the host club is the one doing you a favor. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, CDM said:

HAHAHA some classic names..!

 

As many have noted if your request is for a course that is equal to or viewed lower in stature you normally can get on.  The pro at Duckpoop CC calling for a member to play Shinnecock is probably not going to happen.

 

 


Some of us can only aspire to play at Duckpoop CC!

  • Like 1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Usually done via email in my experience.  Also, much more difficult to get on post Covid (likely do to golf demand).  It’s amazing that many top pros know each other on a first name basis (so guess it’s a rather small world).

 

I used to get on just about everywhere when I traveled for work (almost always mid week) including many famous and top courses.  My last go around, I tried for two different courses (one of which I played before) and couldn’t get on either (I did connect through a friend of a friend that invited me to play on the weekend at one of the courses but it was my daughters’ birthday).

 

Also, in my experience the caliber of club matters more the closer the course is to home.  For example, Podunk Town CC is less likely in many cases to get you on All Star CC and hour away.  However, All Star CC can likely get you on Old Money Tourney Club in the capital city.  That being said sometime Podunk Town CC can get you on All Star CC 1/2 way across the country.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I’ve seen the described done by phone many times. Until a few years ago. When I joined we had a 60 year in the business, well known for the area club pro, who spent his career networking and training many assistants who have went on to become head pros. Old school, Rolodex, great personality type of guy. He retired and went on to become emeritus. We now have a egotistical, selfish, d*ck, for a pro who has no connections and would be highly offended if you even asked. 

  • Like 2

Titleist TSr 3 10°, Ventus Blue 6s
Titleist TSr 2 16.5°, Ventus Blue 7s

Ping G430 3, 4, 5 hybrid, Alta CB Black 70s

PXG 0317T 6-9, Mitsubishi MMT 80s
Vokey SM9 46°, 50°, 54° D, 60° T, Mitsubishi MMT 85s

L.A.B. Mezz.1 Max 35”, Accra

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, jas904 said:

I’ve seen the described done by phone many times. Until a few years ago. When I joined we had a 60 year in the business, well known for the area club pro, who spent his career networking and training many assistants who have went on to become head pros. Old school, Rolodex, great personality type of guy. He retired and went on to become emeritus. We now have an egotistical, selfish, d*ck, for a pro who has no connections and would be highly offended if you even asked. 

This is unfortunately the industry trend.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/28/2023 at 9:08 AM, jas904 said:

I’ve seen the described done by phone many times. Until a few years ago. When I joined we had a 60 year in the business, well known for the area club pro, who spent his career networking and training many assistants who have went on to become head pros. Old school, Rolodex, great personality type of guy. He retired and went on to become emeritus. We now have a egotistical, selfish, d*ck, for a pro who has no connections and would be highly offended if you even asked. 

Gone are the days of rolodexes, calligraphy and sabona bracelets its a trackman, golf genius and white belt industry now.  

 

side note you should have to take a calligraphy class to get your class A 

  • Like 2
  • Haha 1

M2, maybe
915 FD
913 HD
712u 3
714 AP2 4-p
SM5 53, 59
Circa62

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sometimes it is much easier to just show up and put it on the Underhill's account.  

Titleist TSr4 10.0*  Mitsubishi 1k Black 65 tx  
TaylorMade BRNR Mini 13.5* Kai'li white- tx
Srixon ZX5 (4-6) ZX7 (7-pw) KBS tour 130-x
Mizuno T20 51* TT x-100

Callaway Full Toe 54*, 60* TT x-100
Callaway PM Grind 64*
TaylorMade Soto Long Neck

Pro V1

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, golfortennis said:

 

I mean I get the odd guy getting his panties in a bunch, but a trend?  Really?  Not saying you're wrong, just more surprised/disappointed this is a thing.

 

I would put it this way:  many golf pros slept though hospitality 101.  Certainly not all, but many.  This is everywhere from Club Corp to top 100 clubs.  This can be in relation to a phone call to a different club, or "You want to know if your shoes arrived?  Let me see.  Oh yea, they came in 5 weeks ago, box was hard to find because it was behind a bunch of other things.  Enjoy!"  There was no "sorry", or "oops" or "did you get the note I did not send?".  I should just be happy that I got my shoes. at a 20% discount with a 20% markup due to shipping.

 

I could probably write a coffee table book with stories I have heard from around the country.  Well maybe a leaflet....

 

Best story I have heard was a friend ran a $150k+ outing at a top 100 course where he had been a member for 10'ish years. Director of Golf did not know who he was....

 

 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, golfortennis said:

 

I mean I get the odd guy getting his panties in a bunch, but a trend?  Really?  Not saying you're wrong, just more surprised/disappointed this is a thing.

The trend is the egotistical selfish **** described. The bunched undies for a phone call is just one trait of the overall personality trend in the business. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Our picks

    • 2024 Valspar Championship WITB Photos (Thanks to bvmagic)- Discussion & Links to Photos
      This weeks WITB Pics are from member bvmagic (Brian). Brian's first event for WRX was in 2008 at Bayhill while in college. Thanks so much bv.
       
      Please put your comments or question on this thread. Links to all the threads are below...
       
       
       
       
      • 31 replies
    • 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Monday #3
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Matt (LFG) Every - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Sahith Theegala - WITB - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Cameron putters (and new "LD" grip) - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Bettinardi MB & CB irons - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Bettinardi API putter cover - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      Custom Swag API covers - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
      New Golf Pride Reverse Taper grips - 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
      • 15 replies
    • 2024 Cognizant Classic - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #1
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #2
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #3
      2024 Cognizant Classic - Monday #4
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Brandt Snedeker - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Max Greyserman - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Eric Cole - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Carl Yuan - WITb - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Russell Henley - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Justin Sun - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alex Noren - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Shane Lowry - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Taylor Montgomery - WITB - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jake Knapp (KnappTime_ltd) - WITB - - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Super Stoke Pistol Lock 1.0 & 2.0 grips - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      LA Golf new insert putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Garsen Quad Tour 15 grip - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      New Swag covers - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Jacob Bridgeman's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Bud Cauley's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Ryo Hisatsune's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Chris Kirk - new black Callaway Apex CB irons and a few Odyssey putters - 2024 Cognizant Classic
      Alejandro Tosti's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Cognizant Classic
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
      • 2 replies
    • 2024 Genesis Invitational - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put any questions or comments here
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Monday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #1
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #2
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #3
      2024 Genesis Invitational - Tuesday #4
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Rory McIlroy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Sepp Straka - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Patrick Rodgers - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Brendon Todd - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Denny McCarthy - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Corey Conners - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Chase Johnson - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tommy Fleetwood - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Matt Fitzpatrick - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Si Woo Kim - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Viktor Hovland - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Wyndham Clark - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Cam Davis - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Nick Taylor - WITB - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Ben Baller WITB update (New putter, driver, hybrid and shafts) – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      New Vortex Golf rangefinder - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Fujikura Ventus shaft - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods & TaylorMade "Sun Day Red" apparel launch event, product photos – 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods Sun Day Red golf shoes - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Aretera shafts - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      New Toulon putters - 2024 Genesis Invitational
      Tiger Woods' new white "Sun Day Red" golf shoe prototypes – 2024 Genesis Invitational
       
       
       
       
       
      • 22 replies
    • 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Discussion and Links to Photos
      Please put and questions or comments here
       
       
       
       
      General Albums
       
      2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Monday #1
      2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open - Monday #2
       
       
       
       
      WITB Albums
       
      Ben Taylor - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Garrick Higgo - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Billy Horschel - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Justin Lower - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Lanto Griffin - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Bud Cauley - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Corbin Burnes (2021 NL Cy Young) - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Greyson Sigg - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Charley Hoffman - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Nico Echavarria - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Victor Perez - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Sami Valimaki - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Ryo Hisatsune - WITB - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
       
       
       
       
       
       
      Pullout Albums
       
      Jake Knapp's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      New Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Tyler Duncan's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Greyson Sigg's custom Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Sunjae Im's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Ping's Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Vincent Whaley's custom Cameron - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Odyssey Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Super Stroke custom grips - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Cameron putters - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Zac Blair's custom Cameron putter - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
      Bettinardi Waste Management putter covers - 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open
       
       
       
       
       
       

       
      • 12 replies

×
×
  • Create New...