“What is it you are most afraid would happen if?”

This line is from a Neil Simon movie; Chapter Two!  It impressed me so much that I wrote it down knowing I would want to use it one day and here we are.  In thinking about our industry and the twists and turns it has taken, I give you this line; “if you begin to make large changes at your facility what is it you are most afraid would happen?”  I mean, come on now.  What are you holding onto?  The game is shrinking, private clubs are a mess, the industry cannot support a player development program, and many good golf people cannot execute their passions for our game because they are out of work.  So I am suggesting the following 5 changes which may scare you, may excite you, and may just change how you put your key in the door Thursday morning;

1)Hire better people; hire people with love and passion for the game and not their game.  Fire the people who do nothing for your golfers and your business today!  Treat your new people as if you want them to stay for a lifetime.

2) Treat every golfer as if they are your only golfer!  Create a written service strategy and stick to it, every minute of every day.  Work the business from 10 feet and not 10,000.  Get your people to know exactly what you stand for, and then get out of their way and allow them to execute your mission.

3)Create a great monthly calendar of unique promotions and events that are truly meaningful to your golfers.  Build the calendars, communicate these calendars, and execute to 100%.

4) People will play more when they play better!  Develop a free game improvement program today!  Call me if you need a push.  Develop a program that will improve golfers, create golfers, and get all excited; and then repeat and repeat!

5) Spend some money on your business.  Presentation is everything.  Fresh paint, neat and clean surroundings will not only make an impact, it will bring pride to your team!  Truly look at your business with a pair of fresh eyes.  Write down everything you would change if you purchased the club today and then build a to do list with timelines that will eventually complete the list.  Ask your people to write a list and encourage them to do so.  Create an impression that you truly care about every staff member, every golfer, and every transaction.  Heck, fake it till you make it.

So, what are you afraid of??