PRESS RELEASE
December 2008
How Pro Shops Can Double Golf Ball Sales and Margins in These Troubled Economic Times
Golf Courses can no longer ignore what the mass merchants have known for so long
Toronto.... Dec 2008... Did you know that Walmart, Costco and other mass merchants around North America account for the bulk of off course ball sales whose numbers dwarf what is sold in pro shops across the country? They do in fact sell new balls competitively but the bulk of their sales and margins come from their selling of recycled and refinished golf balls.
Thats right. Used golf balls! Here is an industry that has grown up over the last number of years and whose acceptance by golfers around the world has been increasing by double digits annually. And now going into a recession sales of these products are expected to grow at an even faster pace as the golfers watch their dollars ever more closely. In fact it has been said that because of the ecomomy Walmart is looking for a 20% increase in 2009 for their recycled golf ball business which is one of the largest and most profitable skus in the sporting goods department.
Many golf courses have frowned on the sales of recycled balls because of a stigma they attach to them and their feeling that their customers wouldn’t buy used golf balls. Sure there are some that would never buy them but who do you think is buying the over $300,000,000 worth of golf balls annually from mass merchants and internet sellers?
In fact survey after survey with golfers has shown that everyone finds balls in the woods or water and uses them. In fact all golfers have a bunch of used balls in their bag. After one hit it is now used. The balls sold today are a far cry from what was marketed even 10 years ago. Technology has produced balls that are hardy and rarely cut.
The industry is now dominated by a few companies such as GolfBallsOnly.com. This company which markets many millions of balls around the world has taken the industry to a new level. They sell all brands of recycled and refinished golf balls that look like they are new coming out of a sleeve. Balls are sold in industry leading innovative packaging by the dozen just like new balls. You can get all the demand balls including Pro V1 that will sell at 40-50% off new ball prices and put at least 40% margin in your cash drawer. That’s a win / win for you and your customer. They get top brand name product that they will lose anyways for a great price and you make good margin on a historically low margin category.
Some courses buy balls locally or have them scooped out of their ponds to sell in the pro shop. There is nothing wrong with this except you get the good bad and the ugly in quality and brands. The difference with companies like GolfBallsOnly is that you get the brands and quality you want and they are consistent year round. This way you can manage your inventory and make the recycled / refinished ball a staple of your proshop and take back some of your market share.
For more information about GolfBallsOnly programs for golf course shops contact:
or visit their wholesale website at
GolfBallsOnly will be at the PGA Mechandise Show in Orlando Jan 28 – 31 Booth 2481
Sales and Marketing– Korey Shienfield korey@knetgolf.com