In this episode, Tyler is joined by Mitch Rupert to dive into the groundbreaking findings of the 2025 Workforce Trends in Golf Study. If you’ve ever wondered why the golf industry struggles with talent attraction or how it can position itself as a career destination, this is the episode for you.

Whether you’re a golf course leader, HR professional, or just curious about the future of golf’s workforce, you’ll leave with actionable insights to help grow the industry. Let’s get started!

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

• Why lack of industry awareness is the biggest hurdle for recruiting new talent.
• What makes Gen Z and individuals exposed to golf more likely to consider a career in the industry.
• The role of workplace culture, mentorship, and career development in employee retention.
• How competitive compensation and innovative benefits can reshape perceptions of golf industry jobs.
• Practical strategies to attract diverse talent and address misconceptions about careers in golf.

Soundbites:

“The barriers to employment in the golf and club industries aren’t necessarily tied to the typical factors like technical skills, benefits, or compensation—areas that often dominate conversations around recruitment and retention. Instead, what stands out to me is a broader issue: a lack of awareness. It’s not a matter of unmet needs, but rather a gap in understanding.” (13:30)

“Like many tools we encounter, this serves as a conversation starter. For employers struggling to effectively communicate with their teams, board members, or key stakeholders, this resource can provide valuable insights. It helps educate them on challenges they might currently be facing, fostering a deeper understanding and more productive discussions.”

Key Quotes:

• “63% of working Americans know someone who would consider a job at a golf course. So, first and foremost, it needs to be their internal teams and having some level of an employee referral program could be more than just a workplace perk. It could actually be a pretty effective hiring tool.”
• “Clubs investing in leadership training are actively cultivating a respectful workplace culture. By empowering department heads and team members to prioritize respect, they’re creating an environment that can have as much impact as compensation, benefits, and other key factors we’ve discussed.”
• “The first step to changing a problem is to recognize there is one and this feels like a good first step to that.”
• “Disrespectful management was the top reason cited. When engaging with people, I often reflect on this. In my experience on the front lines, the feedback is rarely about not making enough money. Instead, it’s usually about feeling unappreciated or disrespected.”
• “92% of working Americans would consider transitioning from a “job” to a “career” if the salary reached $70,000 or more.”

Links Mentioned:

2025 Workforce Trends in Golf: https://bloomgolfpartners.com/study/