What Does a Pro Shop Manager Do?
Pro shop managers make sure every round of golf starts on time, with tee times booked, golfers checked in and green and cart fees paid at the counter. At public courses, private clubs and resorts, the same manager also buys the season's shirts, balls and clubs and schedules the counter staff and starters. Weekend shifts start early.
Also known as: Assistant Pro Shop Manager
Pro Shop Manager Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a pro shop manager include:
- Book tee times, check in golfers and collect green fees, cart fees and range payments.
- Buy apparel, balls, clubs and accessories for the season, working within the merchandise budget.
- Set up displays and markdowns to move slow-selling stock before the season ends.
- Schedule counter staff, starters and cart attendants around tee sheet demand and events.
- Run point-of-sale and tee sheet software, and balance cash drawers at close.
- Take inventory counts and reconcile stock against sales and supplier invoices.
- Arrange club fittings, repairs and special orders with manufacturers' representatives.
- Prepare prizes, pairings and merchandise packages for tournaments and outings.
- Handle member questions and complaints about bookings, rules and charges.
- Train staff on course policies, customer service and product knowledge.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a pro shop manager, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Tee sheet and POS systems such as Club Prophet or foreUP
- Retail buying and inventory control
- Merchandising and display
- Staff scheduling and supervision
- Friendly, quick customer service
- Knowledge of golf equipment and rules
- Cash handling and daily reconciliation
- Flexibility for weekends and early mornings
Education and Training
A job behind a pro shop counter or in golf operations is the usual start, followed by a spell as assistant manager. A high school diploma covers the formal requirements. Private clubs often prefer candidates who are PGA of America members or working through its professional program, though plenty of shops are run by managers without that credential.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $38,590 - $62,130 per year, with a median of $48,520.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers.
BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of retail sales workers, the group this job falls in, to decline about 4 percent from 2025 to 2035. Even with that dip, the group should see roughly 113,500 openings a year, since many supervisors retire or change jobs. Golf shops are a small, seasonal corner of that group, and pay tends to follow course size and membership.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, First-line supervisors of retail sales workers.