If you’ve spent any time on golf social media lately, you’ve probably seen a skit lampooning the ridiculous calls that pro shop staff field each day. “What time does the sun set?” “Is it raining there right now?” “Are people wearing shorts today?” Parody videos like these have racked up millions of views, and even helped Hermitage Golf Course in Tennessee gain 100,000 Instagram and TikTok followers, by turning golf’s phone culture into comedic relief.
It’s easy to laugh at them, but those of us who’ve worked in a pro shop and managed the phone lines know there’s an uncomfortable truth and frustration behind these reels, and that the humor distracts from a not-so-funny industry problem: golf facilities hemorrhaging resources on avoidable (and often trivial) calls, diverting staff from higher-value touch points and revenue-generating activities.