For golf shops across Canada, it was the great unknown when the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard in 2020.
As it turned out, the golf business has been booming since. People were golfing more; they were buying new equipment and apparel. While golf shops adapted, equipment manufacturers struggled to keep up with the demand.
And here we are – a couple of years later. We asked golf shops across the country what’s been selling, how they have adapted on the fly and what are they planning going forward.
Q: Due to supply issues, what sort of volume did you purchase for 2022?
A: We purchased around 25% higher volume in hard goods and soft goods as in previous years to avoid any supply chain issues and it worked out, for the most part.
Q: Will any leftover merchandise/equipment affect buying for 2023?
A: Buying habits have changed since we are back into seeing some “normalcy.”
Q: How has the pandemic affected/altered the way you’ve done business in the pro shop?
A: We have less traffic even to this day coming through the shop; a lot of business has been done by email or phone. Considering starting an online golf shop to send out to both members and public.
Q: How have sales been the past couple of years, since COVID became a thing?
A: Very good over the pandemic with the boom in golf.
Q: Has it changed your mindset in terms of what you sell?
A: Not overall, just keeping in mind smaller stock amounts as custom orders are on the rise each season.
Q: Any merchandising tips you have learned along the way?
A: Smaller stock amounts both in hard and soft, keep your shop lean and rely on custom orders to drive sales.
Q: Any particular brands of equipment (drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges putters) that sell well? Why?
A: They are all good these days; we are a Callaway and TaylorMade club.
Q: Men’s clothing?
A: FootJoy and Peter Millar
Q: Women’s clothing?
A: FootJoy
Q: Golf shoes
A: Exclusive FootJoy
Q: Golf balls?
A: Pro V and Srixon Soft Feel
Q: Golf bags?
A: We never have an issue moving golf bags. Titleist and Ping are our top two.
