Michael Brown makes a difference making clubs. The certified clubmaker
in Hamden, Connecticut, donates a lot of his time to charities (such as the
Special Olympics) and golfers with disabilities.
"It's always a joy to work with a lot of folks who've suffered a stroke
or a traumatic injury and feel like they can't get out there anymore. When
you help them get out on the course or driving range by building a club that
allows them to hit a ball -- well, you should see their faces!"
Several training companies offer special courses in fitting the physically
challenged. Brown has also fitted golfers as young as three and was thrilled
recently to witness an "ecstatic" father who had just seen his four-year-old
son drive the ball 100 yards.
Golf can be played at any age, regardless of your physical condition. That's
why baby boomers are turning to the sport in droves. Conversely, the Professional
Clubmakers' Society (PCS) says clubmakers are getting younger. Opportunities
for women are increasing as well.
Tracey Wright is a pioneer. She is one of only a few female PCS-certified
clubmakers worldwide. A lifelong golfer who works as a pro at a range, Wright
noticed more and more of her customers were asking for custom clubmaking services.
"It helps to be a woman because I'm serving more women. They can be hesitant
to go to male clubmakers. This business can be tough for a man or woman. There's
a lot of competition from hobbyists who are making clubs for their neighbors
at cost."
Mark Weidel is a PCS board member. "This is a tough niche to be in. A real
pro is caught between the low-end and the name brands. But this has been a
good year. Becoming certified and setting up my website has made a tremendous
difference."
Ross Beebe became a clubmaker a few years ago. "I took a course at the
university on turf grass management. I wanted to learn everything about the
game of golf. Then I started working on club building and I enjoyed it to
the point that I decided not to do anything else. I like the people. You get
to meet a variety."
Beebe gets his customers through word of mouth. "You can start small or
start big. Work with somebody who's knowledgeable as an apprentice and get
some on-the-job training."
Most clubmakers recommend that you get some training and start working
on clubs as a hobby before you pursue certification and sink money into a
business. Wright estimates start-up costs for training and equipment to be
about $8,000. As in any business, not everyone will be successful.
Brown's attitude is typical of lots of clubmakers: "It's all very rewarding.
Don't get into this to get rich; do it because you love it."