How to Start a Golf Coach

Start a golf coach by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Golf Coach
2. Form your Golf Coach into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Golf Coach for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Golf Coach
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Golf Coach
7. Get Golf Coach Insurance
8. Define your Golf Coach Brand
9. Create your Golf Coach Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your golf coach. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

• What will you name your business?
• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?
• How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability.

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a golf coach?

Fortunately, the overhead for starting a golf coach business is relatively low. Fees for US Golf Association (USGA) membership, buying golf balls, and possibly some golf clubs for teaching beginners may be included in initial expenses. Additionally, you may need to work out a cost for using course facilities, such as the driving range. Overall, though, much of the costs will be absorbed by the fees collected from your students.

What are the ongoing expenses for a golf coach?

Most expenses will pertain to managing the business of coaching, such as registering an LLC, paying taxes and business insurance, maintaining a modest marketing and advertising budget, and some equipment costs — mostly for golf balls.

Who is the target market?

Golf coaches have a wide range of age groups they might work with, from young, beginners, to older players looking to shave some strokes off their handicap. Overall, the target market is golfers looking to become better.

How does a golf coach make money?

Golf coaches make their money through the fees they charge their clients.

How much can you charge customers?

The average golf coach hourly rate is between

$30 and $80 an hour, although these rates can fluctuate, depending on your clientele and other coaches’ prices, in your area.

How much profit can a golf coach make?

A successful golf pro can make anywhere from $40,000 to six-figure earnings for highly sought-after coaches.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Consider offering a membership fee and online instructions or videos, which customers can access anywhere and anytime.

Your membership offer could also include a rebate on lessons and specials for certain times of the year when courses aren’t available.

You can also offer reviews of clubland equipment through your website and videos.

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your golf coach is sued.

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a golf coach business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

Is this Business Right For You?

Golfers with above-average abilities and patience and knowledge to help others improve their game are the perfect fits. Experience teaching people and designing progressive teaching lessons is also beneficial.

What happens during a typical day at a golf coach?

Golf coaches are regularly meeting students for one-on-one or group teaching sessions. Most coaches will use a golf course’s driving range or other facilities. Scheduling and conducting client sessions and interacting with potential clients in and around the clubhouse will take up a substantial portion of a golf coach’s day. If possible, some coaches will travel to a player’s location for coaching sessions, often at the course the client regularly plays.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful golf coach?

Most successful golf coaches have played golf extensively, often in amateur and professional competitions. Understanding the game of golf, as well as the swing mechanics, are both critical in teaching the sport to others. Having experience in teaching, coaching, or instructing in some capacity will also benefit your overall success. Experience in small business finances and advertising can also help you initially, and further down the road.

What is the growth potential for a golf coach?

Golf seems to be an ever-popular and lifelong sport for many. Golf challenges the individual, so the desire to become better is intrinsic. Golf coaches will always be in demand, but be careful to assess your services before quitting your day job.