Who am I? What is this about? My name is Jim Yeager and I’ve been working in the Golf business for almost 30 years as I start this blog. Through the years, I’ve done a lot of cool things, accomplished a few things, played some really cool places, and learned a lot. I currently work as a sales rep for Callaway Golf – a position I’ve held for 8+ years. I worked as a rep for Mizuno, Adams Golf and Cleveland Golf. Before that I worked as a “Tech Rep” – a demo day guy – as I tried to find my footing in this industry. I also worked as an Assistant Golf Professional for about 8 years on a part time basis.

I had a pretty good job in corporate America, and I was moving upward and onward. I was in Consumer Electronics and, one day the Sony Rep walked in. I thought Holy Smokes, this guy has the greatest job in the world. I talked to him about how to get a job like that. He said “Move to San Diego and work in Customer Service.” No thank you. Then, a couple weeks later, I ran into a buddy of mine who I played hockey and golf against since we were little kids – I asked him what he was doing with himself. He said “I’m a Golf Rep”. Huh? “Yeah, I represent a bunch of different companies, and I sell golf clubs and golf apparel to golf courses and golf shops all over the state.” He just displaced the Sony Rep as having the coolest job in the world. Getting a job like that became my quest. I knew I had to start working in the golf industry. I started small. I took a job with Cobra in 1995 doing demo days. In 1996, I took a part time job working as an Assistant Golf Professional. I was fortunate to be able to try out working in golf in several different ways. Then, in 1999, I made the move from Corporate America to a Sales Rep for Mizuno in their Golf division. I haven’t looked back.

How did it start? You know the golf part.

As a 17 year old, I played my last golf match of my senior year in high school, tossed my clubs in the trunk of my car and said “thank God I never have to do that again.” I was about a 5 handicapper, but I was frustrated because I’d play in golf tournaments and there were 149 “losers” and 1 winner. I was also a good hockey player – ahhh, a 50% chance of winning. Hockey became my focus. For the next 8 years, I played some college hockey (went to a National Championship in 1986, and lost), went to another National Championship in 1987 (and won), had a pretty sweet mullet, and loved the ride. I was disillusioned that a 5’10”, 165 pound defenseman could make it to the NHL. No shot, and as reality hit, I realized it didn’t matter how well I could skate and handle the puck, it wasn’t happening. Life went on, I got a job, got engaged and married, bought a house, and watched my brother become a Golf Professional. He was the best man in my wedding and wanted to throw me a “Pro-Am” golf tournament for my bachelor party. One of his Pro buddies with 3 of my buddies. We had a great time. I remembered this thing called golf. I was 26 then and hadn’t played a round in 8 years. I could hit it further (I was 2″ taller and 35 pounds heavier) – and wilder, but it was fun. I told myself I’ll just play for fun – No more competitive rounds. Then I started thinking about working in the industry. And working on my game. I practiced. My handicap came back down to five, then zero, then plus 2. A state Am qualifier. The local district qualifier. And so it began. My thirst for competition was quelled with golf. I was all in.

Through the last 20+ years, I have met some incredible people, seen some unbelievable things, been to some incredible places, learned a ton of really cool things, played some outrageous golf courses, and had some pretty cool accomplishments. I worked on my golf game and played as a plus handicap for about 10 years. I played in some amateur events and got creamed. I played in some club events and got smoked. A friend of mine once said “Jimmy, it doesn’t matter how good you are, there is always someone waiting behind every tree who can beat you like a drum.” He was right, and as I got older, I began to realize that golf lets you measure you vs. you. I loved that, but at that point in my life, I wasn’t ready for me vs. me. I needed Mano v. Mano. Going toe to toe. Me vs. the field. It’s funny how that level of competition set the table for some neat athletic experiences outside of golf (I put my golf life on hold for the second time) for about 15 years and ran 16 marathons, 7 Half Ironman triathlons and a billion shorter races. I ran the Boston Marathon, got nationally ranked in my Age Group in Duathlon (think Triathlon, but sub a run for the swim (so Run/Bike/Run), and would routinely finish in the top 10% of almost any race I would enter – as a 40-something adult. I had become battle hardened. Really without knowing it. Competition had become just another thing to me. Along the way, I was able to give back to hockey – a game that gave me so much. I coached youth hockey for 18 seasons (as a volunteer) and was very active in administrative side of that world. As all of that ended, I was looking for something new. The next thing, the next chapter. Lo and behold, I found golf. Again…

So, here’s where I give something back to golf. Since I’m starting this blog after 20+ years of experience working in the industry, and almost 30 years of being in it in some capacity, I’ll sprinkle in some new experiences with some old experience. I’m a master club fitter, and I write a weekly newsletter to my accounts about all things club fitting. I’ll post those here. I have played some awesome golf courses – I’ll write about them. I test equipment – clubs, launch monitors, range finders, even some apparel – I’ll write about them. I caddied for my brother in some of his events – I’ll share the stories. I have a small arsenal of trick shots – maybe I’ll share some of those. I’ve played golf with Rock stars, actors and pro athletes – maybe I’ll share some of those stories. I’ve fit tour players for clubs. I’ve set up buddies golf trips. I’ve been interviewed on the radio and in print. I’ll share those. I started on a journey to become a member of the PGA of America last year – at 55 years old. Why, you ask? I’ll share that story. All of them…

This blog will be about all things golf. If you want to read about something, ask for it and I’ll write about it. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing.

jy