cntcasey, I wrote the first book on golf club design, repair and fitting in 1974 and it immediately sold out through three printings back to back. This book started a new interest in repairing, fitting, altering and building golf clubs that previously did not exist. I started the GolfWorks 32 years ago in 1976 when professional fitting and clubmaking was in its infancy. I did not know how big or small the market was or if anyone was interested in buying components. I figured that I needed $100.00 a day in sales and I could make it.
The GolfWorks created many thousands of club makers and clubfitters over the years and I published many technical books and put out a number of videos to provide education for anybody willing to learn. Then, I started the GolfWorks schools which have trained many thousands of club makers and club fitters including many of the past and present key R&D people in our industry. How about Richard Helmstetter from Callaway and Tom Stites from Nike? It has always been our policy to help and train anyone to become a professional club maker or club fitter and for any reason. If we were exclusive to only a select few, how would anyone get into this business or even learn about golf clubs?
So, being one of the early pioneers in this business and having no idea initially where it was going we established our catalog and began adding customers not only in the USA but worldwide distribution. We are now the largest component company in the world and buy more grips and shafts than anyone else. If we were a very small company like Tom’s, we could not do what we do for the entire golf industry worldwide.
Most all the PGA golf professionals have bought from the GolfWorks at one time or another. We are well known to them since my books have been the official teaching manuals for the last 32 years straight. How do we exclude all or some of them from our customer list because not all of them are club makers or even care about it?
So, I guess it is rather easy for anyone to have all this hind sight and question what I did, but I did not have this luxury as I moved the company forward and provided a good place to work for many dedicated and professional people who desired to make a career at the GolfWorks. The business plan was modified throughout the years as the times dictated and said very clearly that we were on the right track by including anyone who wanted to learn the correct way, get into a new business and buy our products.
So, finally, I have a question? How do you define exactly who should be able to buy components. What about the part time club maker that has another full time job, but is a very knowledgeable clubfitter and builder and has actually helped many golfers in his area play better. Do we stop selling to him? What about the golfer who will never sell to anyone but wants to learn all about this business and use it exclusively for improving his own game. Do we stop selling to him? What about the father who attended every different type school the GolfWorks ever offered including completing the Masters Program where I also taught so he could help his young daughter with the proper equipment so she could attempt to win the USGA Junior’s. Do we stop selling to him?
So, this is what we are. A great company that tries very hard to provide the best equipment and service to our customers. Yes, since Golf Galaxy purchased us some of the GolfWorks products are in their stores. This provides even greater service to our customers because now, any one near a Golf Galaxy store can try our clubs and actually get fitted for them by our Maltby Certified Clubfitters.
