A pro shop is a sporting-goods shop in a public or private-membership amateur sporting activities facility, most commonly a golf course, where it is typically located in the country club building.

Golf

Golf pro shops usually provide equipment such as golf balls, clubs, shoes, and tees, as well as golf-themed gift items, and sometimes snacks or refreshments.

Other sports

Pro shops are also frequently found at bowling alleys, pool and snooker halls, tennis and racquetball courts, ice and roller hockey rinks, and football (soccer) facilities. Some American football teams, such as the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots, offer team merchandise and replica apparel for purchase through team stores branded as "pro shops", either at a store at the team's stadium, shops in other venues such as shopping malls, and online.

Management and services

Pro shops are often managed by a professional player referred to as a house pro, and overseen by a general manager who is employed by or acts as a consultant contractor. Shops may also be run by a retail manager at larger venues (or those too small to attract a pro). House pros are often available to advise on game-related issues such as rules, and the proper equipment for particular needs and conditions; and sometimes for instruction, including group lessons and one-on-one training (usually for a fee). They also sometimes perform paid personal equipment maintenance, such as restringing tennis racquets, drilling and fitting bowling balls, re-tipping pool/snooker cues, and skate sharpening.

See also

• Dive center, which fulfills pro shop functions for underwater diving

References