The definitive textbook
- 2010 International Network of Golf Outstanding Achievement Award
- 2011 Independent Publisher Book Awards – Bronze Medal
- Purchased by golf course owners in 13 countries
- Used by nine colleges, including Clemson University and University of Wisconsin
Attributions
- Joe Beditz, President & CEO, National Golf Foundation"The Business of Golf is an exhaustive work that brings the world of golf course management under one roof. I highly recommend it. "
- Tom Stine, Co-Founder Golf Data- tech, LLC"How many times have you heard, "Boy, I’d like to run my own golf course!" Well, before you do, or if you already do, you should work behind the counter in a pro shop, and read everything you can about the business. You can start with this book. It is well researched by someone who knows how to apply it to a wide range of golf course operations. "
- Colin Hegarty, Chair- man, Golf Research, Inc."Golf is a game—but building and managing the courses is a serious business— this book is a welcome injection of serious business."
- Michael Tinkey, Deputy Director, National Golf Course Owners Association"This comprehensive treatise on The Business of Golf by an accomplished and respected industry expert provides a definitive formula for a golf course owner to increase their net income. I highly recommend it."
- Mark Woodward, CGCS, Former CEO of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America"It is widely recognized that superintendents play a key role in the success of any golf facility. They manage the number one asset at the facility and that is the golf course itself. Avid and influential golfers overwhelmingly acknowledge that superintendents are the key to their enjoyment of the game. Owners of golf courses believe very strongly that superintendents are a key to the financial success of their golf courses. All of this point to the fact that the number one reason golfers choose a particular golf course to play is the conditioning of that course. This is clearly the value that superintendents bring to the game and the industry as emphasized in this book."
- Kevin O’Connor, Senior Director, USGA"I think it is relatively easy to be critical of a governing body, and sometimes governing bodies deserve criticism."
- Nick Mokelke, CCM, General Manager, Cog Hill Golf and Country Club"Jim Keegan’s unique business and life experience has brought a new level of critical thinking to the golf industry. On the golf course he may be a 7 handicap, but his insights into the business side of the game are no less than “scratch.” This book is to the business of golf what the Rules of Golf are to playing the game."
- Bob Doyle, PGA Master Professional, Principal/COO Atira Golf"The golf economy in recent years has taught us all the value of building appropriate business models and having realistic goals and objectives. Jim Keegan’s work with this book brings these lessons to the forefront. A good addition to the library of any golf course or club operator."
- Jim Roschek, PGA, President, Alamo City Golf Trail"Jim Keegan’s comprehensive analysis of the golf business is an extremely en- lightening manuscript for the golf business person. Whether you are a 35-year operator like myself, or just getting started in the golf business, each chapter is packed full of useful insight that can be used TODAY to make your golf operation better."
- Ray McGury, Executive Director, Naperville Park District"In September of 2008, I took over responsibility for two municipal golf courses that had posted a significant loss. Logic dictates that one does not “operate on themselves,” so I hired Golf Convergence to come in and diagnose where we were hemorrhaging money. Through, Golf Convergence’s WIN™ Formula we have realized a savings in labor alone of over $175,000. I highly recommend The Business of Golf—What Are You Thinking? as a roadmap to success for the business of golf. As Jim stated, "Where is your focus? Is it on the business of golf or on the game of golf?"
- John Zobler, Assistant City Manager, City of Ocala"To everyone’s benefit, especially municipally run courses where stewardship is often inherited rather than based on industry acumen, Jim Keegan has written a diagnostic and repair manual for golf courses operating at all success levels. Jim’s three-year study of our courses identified critical financial, player, techno- logical and operational insights. With the City of Ocala not having even moderate industry expertise, Jim involved us in the formulation and implementation of the remedial steps that were necessary to keep our golf programs alive and sustainable. With this book, Jim gives generously of his time and talents by put- ting twenty years of up-to-date experience into a resource we can all learn from and refer to as we strive to improve and fine tune the golf experiences we offer."
- Sandy Queen, CGCS, City of Overland Park, Kansas"Any municipal operation would benefit greatly from using the tools and expertise that Jim Keegan shares in The Business of Golf. Keegan’s knowledge and insights on the business of golf are exceptional. His passion and enthusiasm as a person are contagious, making him a great person with whom to work. His comprehension and understanding of customer perceptions is invaluable, making him a great person from whom to learn."
- Phil Green, President, OB Sports Golf Management"Jim Keegan’s inherent strength is his ability to recognize and understand the problems and challenges of a golf club operation, and then having the knowledge, discipline and work ethic to dive into the issues and come out on the other end with solutions. This book illustrates both his technique, and his tenacity towards solving these problems. Very useful in these trying times!"
- Stuart Hayden, Managing Principal, SK&C Management Consulting, former Senior Vice-President, American Golf Corporation"Jim has consolidated years of experience, and visits to over 3,000 courses around the globe, into a comprehensive review and guide to the business of golf. More importantly, he shares the tools, techniques, and best practices he has developed and repeatedly implemented to decrease operating costs, drive revenues and improve customer service. Anyone interested in accomplishing any, or all, of these three objectives is sure to find this book insightful and a valuable reference."
- Jeff Levine, Principal/Senior Vice President of Public Courses, Century Golf Partners"Well documented, well researched—much like a great manual on golf lessons. It is our goal to become a scratch golfer in the business of golf through the lessons contained in this book."
- Eddie Ainsworth, PGA, Executive Director, Colorado Section PGA"In today’s business of golf, this book is a must read to insure you’re on the right course. Jim Keegan splits the fairway in this approach to strategic planning!"
- Mollie G. Sutherland, PGA, LPGA, Assistant Director/Internship Coordinator, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs"I have enjoyed reviewing the Business of Golf. I am creating a course for our students and it may be the perfect textbook for the class."
- Steve Eubanks, PGA, Author of 21 books"This is the most comprehensive and insightful book on the golf business in print. Everyone in the business or interested in the economics of our game should read it."
- Jim Dunlap, Former Senior Editor, Golf Inc"Like any how-to manual for a multimillion dollar industry made up of approximately 16,000 individual case studies (i.e., golf properties) in the U.S. alone, most of which are owned and/or run by people with a distinctly individual and entrepreneurial mindset, The Business of Golf is not going to be a 100 percent match for each facility’s unique set of challenges. On the other hand, if any of those 16,000 can’t find at least a few ideas worth trying, they aren’t reading very carefully."
- Bradley S. Klein, architecture editor of Golfweek, author of thousands of essays and five books on golf design and the golf industry"Reading this book has changed my view of how golf courses operate—and how they could operate. I’ve been looking at golf courses for 30+ years, but in the wake of Keegan’s analysis I’ve already walked into clubhouses and onto courses and seen them very differently, with a much sharper eye for those vital moments of customer contact and business management that can make or break an operation. Golf has always been a great game; but as Keegan shows, it doesn’t have to be a lousy business. Owners and operators who heed to finer points of this volume will have a heads up on the competition."
- Henry DeLozier, Principal, Global Golf Advisors"Jim Keegan has launched a great discussion in The Business of Golf. His book is informative, insightful and a ‘should read’ for everyone who wants to learn more about the golf business. For those who are active in the business of golf, there are jewels of knowledge that add great value."
- Tim Moraghan, former USGA Agronomist, President Aspire Consulting"The component of a golf course that fails the quickest is the "crop." This book provides the guidelines necessary to ensure the golf course owner as the “leader of the band” can focus on the music and turn his back to the audience (largely industry pundits) which largely serves as a distraction."
- Rick Robshaw, Chief Executive Officer, Club Prophet"Most people understand why bars and restaurants have a very high failure rate. Someone who likes to drink or is a good cook opens an F&B operation with no clue how to run a business. After 20 some years in the golf business I see time and again people who have a passion for the game but lack the business skills to be successful. Having a passion for the game does not make you a successful golf facility operator. This book is filled with a systematic approach to running a golf facility. Rarely do you find a complete how-to guide on running an entire operation. The Business of Golf covers everything. If you can’t turn a positive return on investment using the methods in this book, then perhaps you should be looking to sell your property to a real-estate developer (which is also covered in this book!)."
- Larry Hirsh, CRE, MAI, SGA, President—Golf Property Analysts"In “The Business of Golf—What are you Thinking”, Jim Keegan brings together the two very complex worlds of investing in and managing real estate and operating a going concern business. Golf courses are unique in this manner because they represent a business with an intensive use of real estate. Few books have gone as deep into both worlds and tied them together as neatly as Jim has. I’ve often thought of taking on this project and writing such a book myself but Jim not only beat me to it, he did a great job. Nice work!
Larry Hirsh, CRE, MAI, SGA, President—Golf Property Analysts" - Jim Fedigan, Chief Executive Officer, Jonas Software"Jim has managed to take such a mulch-faceted subject as the golf industry and create an understandable benchmark with which any club can measure themselves and create realistic goals to become more successful."
- Andrew Wood, Author, The Golf Marketing Bible & CEO Legendary Marketing"The Business of Golf provides a very structured look at the complex metrics involved in running a successful golf course in challenging times. Along with thought-provoking anecdotes and ideas the book provides the reader with a host of real world solutions sure to improve the success of any operation."
- Jim Stracka, Owner of Golfnet, Stracka. com, GolfQ.com, and StrackaLine.com"Jim Keegan’s knowledge of the business of golf is deep. Jim has brokered several businesses for me in the golf industry. There are thousands of people in the golf business, but Jim is one of the few that truly understands where and how the money is made is in the golf industry."
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The Business of GolfWhat Are You Thinking?A textbook on the Business of Golf – Author: James J Keegan Book Statistics
During the next twelve months, more than 58 million golfers will decide where to go play over 1 billion rounds of golf on nearly 33,000 golf courses. What influences their decision? They all have one thing in common: they are seeking value-based entertainment. What does it take to attract and retain those decision makers? The financial success of a golf course is dependent on understanding those motivations and ensuring that the experience created exceeds the price charged. In ground-breaking research based on hard economic data, extensive field experience, and numerous client case studies, eight key concepts that accurately predict the success of a golf course are revealed:
This book sheds light on virtually every aspect of golf course operations - strategic, tactical and operational. You'll learn why some golf courses are successful while others flounder. The Golf Convergence WIN™ formula taught in this textbook is an easy-to-follow method that has consistently increased the financial return of golf courses, and enhances the customer experience to the desired level. In an industry that is struggling who can afford to ignore the findings of this book, and the formula for success that is presented? |