TGI Partner and Head Professional at Prestonfield Golf Club, Scott Clark, talks about the technology he has embraced to ensure his team are ahead of the game and how becoming a TGI Partner was the right fit for his business as an independent retailer.
The landscape of the golf industry is always evolving, how has your business adapted to change in recent years?
In an era where technology is reshaping every industry, customers now expect services to match the times — regardless of business size. This shift, in my opinion, makes investing in technology not just beneficial but essential for today’s PGA professionals.
Now, our business now looks very different to a traditional pro shop operation. Our Trackman studio allows us to provide custom fittings with unmatched precision. Through our website’s online booking platform, customers can effortlessly schedule lessons and fittings at their convenience. Additionally, our Proshop app offers 24/7 browsing and shopping, ensuring our product offerings are always at their fingertips.
As well as this, we try to connect a lot more with our members and guests. We deliver personalised emails featuring digital gift vouchers on special occasions, showing our customers that we’re thinking of them. Our social media channels keep us engaged with our community by sharing instructional videos, hosting competitions and fostering an interactive space for golfers.
These advancements aren’t just about keeping up — they’re about staying relevant in a landscape where competitors are utilising similar technologies. It is now the standard the customer expects.
When did you join the TGI Golf Partnership and what made you decide it was the right fit for your business?
Eleven years ago, I made the bold decision to transition from working at a large resort to becoming a sole trader and club professional. The move was exciting but undeniably daunting. As anyone who has made a similar leap knows, the responsibility is all-encompassing. Suddenly, every business aspect — stock management, budget forecasting, marketing, merchandising — lands squarely on your shoulders. And in today’s fast-moving world, neglecting any one of these areas or making significant mistakes is simply not an option.
This is where I decided the TGI Golf Partnership was the right fit for me. For over a decade, they’ve been an integral part of my journey, equipping me with the essential tools to make sensible, realistic business decisions. Their support spans, from the expertise of their dedicated retail consultants — offering industry insights and best practices — to their cutting-edge digital platforms, which simplify marketing and financial analysis.
The combination of having the right people to consult and advanced business tools to assist decision-making has provided me with confidence from a business perspective. I can honestly say that the TGI Golf Partnership has been the backbone of my professional growth, and I’m proud to celebrate 11 years of partnership with them.
How has becoming a TGI partner been of benefit to you as an independent retailer and PGA professional?
As an independent retailer, one of the most obvious advantages of being part of the TGI Golf Partnership is the supplier terms. These allow independent retailers like myself to compete on price with larger retail establishments — a critical factor in today’s competitive marketplace. However, the true value lies far beyond pricing, in the tools and resources that elevate our daily service offerings to guests and members.
TGI’s online training platform – the TGI Academy, is a prime example, enabling my staff to enhance their product knowledge and provide better customer service. Additionally, the financial analysis available on MyTGI allows us to track supplier performance within the group, a key feature for making pre-booking decisions.
Their digital marketing tools have been a game-changer for us as well, allowing us to create compelling in-store graphics and e-newsletters that engage and promote our services to members much more effectively. And more recently, TGI Golf Travel has allowed us to organise a coaching break that has been well-received by our membership. This is a service we likely wouldn’t have ventured into if not available through TGI Golf.
The day of a club professional can see you wear many hats, how do you manage your day?
There’s no denying it’s busy — but I genuinely enjoy the variety in my working day. The secret to managing it all however, is simple: my incredible team. At the heart of the operation is a dedicated and organised professional shop team that fully understands their roles and the critical importance of planning and following through on tasks.
We start each month with staff meetings to align on events, daily operations and priorities. Our office is equipped with planners and whiteboards that are always in use, ensuring everyone stays on track. On a daily basis, we rely on WhatsApp to assign tasks and communicate effectively as a team.
It may sound like a basic or insignificant process, but I can’t stress enough how these operational systems streamline my day. They enable me to focus on managing my time efficiently and focus on priority tasks.
There is a constant flow of new golf products – how do you manage your stock to serve the needs of your members and visitors?
With the abundance of products available for recreational golfers today, managing stock as a green grass professional at a traditional golf club can present its challenges — especially when floor space is limited. In the past, I found myself overbuying in an effort to accommodate and please as many members and visitors as possible. However, I quickly learned that this approach was not sustainable.
The key for us to improve cash flow and maximise margins was in listening to our audience. By conducting surveys and questionnaires with members and visitors, I gained valuable insights into the products they actually wanted to see in the shop. This feedback was then cross-referenced with trends, sizes and price points from our point-of-sale software, enabling us to make more informed buying decisions.
By maintaining tighter control over stock levels and opting for a more streamlined inventory, we’ve not only optimised our resources but also created the flexibility to adapt quickly — whether it’s addressing potential mistakes or responding to the latest fashionable trends. This data-driven approach has transformed the way we operate, hopefully meeting our customer’s needs while maintaining efficiency and profitability.
What are you doing to support junior golf and introduce kids to the sport?
Building strong ties with the community has always been a priority for us, and one way we achieve this is through our close collaboration with local schools. A few years ago, we proactively reached out to offer free trial days and lessons, held either at the schools or at our club. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and these initiatives laid the foundation for what became our junior development programme.
Today, our calendar is filled with annual events, including weeklong camps and weekly coaching sessions. Central to our approach is the structured coaching pathway we’ve developed, which aligns closely with our junior membership. This pathway is tailored to guide young golfers on their journey — from learning the basics and achieving a handicap to competing in local and national events.
Our junior membership has grown to approximately 100 players and has produced county and national champions in recent years which is an incredible testament to our junior coaching professionals.
Are you actively trying to attract more women to golf?
For several years now, we’ve been proud to run Get into Golf classes, helping introduce more people to the sport we love. In fact, we were one of the first in Edinburgh to join The R&A and Scottish Golf’s Golf.Golf initiative, which focuses on delivering dedicated golf classes specifically for women.
Our efforts have been bolstered by the incredible support of the women’s section in our club. Their enthusiasm makes a world of difference. Many are more than happy to buddy up with new golfers from our programmes, guiding them onto the course and helping them navigate the transition into club membership. This support fosters a warm, welcoming social atmosphere that’s definitely a key to making newcomers settle in.
A lot of PGA pros are having to be a step ahead of their competitors in their offerings and technology – what additional added value services do you provide?
Customer service is our number one priority. I appreciate that it’s a huge market out there, and no one’s business is guaranteed. We reward loyalty to shop account holders by offering members discounts on purchases, free fittings, double discount events and priority advance booking privileges for lessons and manufacturer fitting events.
What year did you turn professional and what have been your career highlights, both playing and employment?
I turned professional in 2004. While my playing abilities have always been average, my focus has been on coaching and operations, which has opened doors to extraordinary opportunities. Throughout my career, I’ve been privileged to coach remarkable players, work with well-known personalities and even contribute to magazine features.
From an employment perspective, my proudest achievement is assembling my current team. Their dedication, expertise and collaborative spirit have been instrumental in recent successes, including winning the prestigious TGI Scottish Partner of the Year award and being named Scottish Golf Club of the Year 2025. These accomplishments are definitely a testament to the power of teamwork.
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