In the golf and hospitality world, one of the most common challenges isn’t just finding great staff—it’s keeping them. Especially in seasonal businesses or regions where the labor pool is tight, employee turnover can feel like a never-ending cycle.
But here’s the good news: with the right internal systems, you can set your team up for success from day one—and build a culture where people want to stay.
Let’s break down the systems that help clubs attract, train, and retain great staff, while creating consistency, efficiency, and morale along the way.
First impressions matter—for employees too. A proper onboarding experience includes:
One smart strategy? The 3/30/90 Day Check-In. Meet with new hires after 3 days, 30 days, and 90 days. Ask what’s working, what’s unclear, and what they need to succeed. It shows you care—and helps spot small issues before they grow.
No employee wants to feel like they’re guessing. Give them the tools:
Think of these tools as their playbook. Less confusion = more confidence = better service.
Pro Tip: Upload SOPs to a shared drive or digital binder like the MYGIG Vault so staff can access them anytime from their phone or clubhouse tablet.
Want a team that’s aligned and accountable? Then make sure everyone knows what’s going on.
Here are some proven tactics:
Communication isn’t just about logistics—it builds trust, prevents drama, and makes everyone feel like part of the mission.
Too often, only frontline staff have job descriptions. But to create clarity and accountability, every role—from GM to cart attendant—should know:
Clear expectations reduce role confusion and increase task ownership.
Setting realistic, measurable goals helps employees stay motivated and focused.
Some examples:
Leaders should define goals, assign training on how to achieve them, track them regularly, and share progress with the team. Revise and repeat.
Motivation in the modern workplace goes beyond money. Employees want to feel seen and valued.
Some recognition strategies:
Companies like Zappos and Ritz-Carlton are famous for celebrating service heroes—stories of staff going above and beyond that get shared and rewarded.
Even in golf clubs with small budgets, little things go a long way.
Also avoid the old “sink or swim” mentality. You’ll lose great people fast.
You can’t control who walks through your clubhouse doors looking for work. But you can control the systems you offer once they join.
When your internal structure sets employees up to succeed, they’re more likely to stay, grow, and deliver the experience your members expect.
Golf Industry Guru offers tools and templates to make that easier—onboarding frameworks, SOP libraries, manager coaching content, and more.
Because in this industry, training is retention. And smart systems are the secret sauce.
Let’s build workplaces people want to return to.