Principles of Retail Golf in the UK

Please note I would like to concentrate on RETAIL, not coaching. This is to be in the form of a REPORT please (FORMAT DETAILED BELOW).
Principles of Business Assignment
Assignment Type: 2,000-word Report
Rationale:
An understanding of the golf business environment is vital for any PGA Professional working in golf retail or golf coaching. It is particularly important to understand the economy, which is a key component of the macro-environment.
This assignment requires you to investigate the importance of understanding economic influences, the current health of the economy and, in the light of your investigations, recommend appropriate business strategies.
Task:
Write a report in which you:
Explain why it is essential for PGA Professionals involved in golf retail or golf coaching to have an understanding of external influences in the macro-environment.
Using one economic indicator for each of the following four areas:
- Economic growth.
- Inflation.
- Interest rates.
- Consumer confidence.
a) Analyse, with the support of desk research, the current state of the U.K.’s economy.
b) Discuss the impact these trends are having on golf retailing or golf coaching in the UK and the impact they could have if they continue in the short term (next 12 months).
In light of your findings, recommend and justify three key actions that you believe PGA Pros involved in golf retailing or golf coaching need to take to enable them to prosper during this period.
Guidance
Focus your assignment on either golf retailing or golf coaching, NOT both.
This assignment does not require a discussion on political matters such as UK Government fiscal policy.
If you are based in the Republic of Ireland or overseas, you may base your assignment on the Republic of Ireland's economy. If you are based overseas, please analyse the UK economy.
Only choose one economic indicator for each of the four areas. It is your decision as to which to use; there is a wide range to choose from.
Your recommendations need to focus on ways to add value, not price discounting.
Please note, due to the length of this report, you do not have to include the following sections on this occasion:
- Acknowledgements.
- Terms of Reference (Please note, this is not the same as referencing).
- Procedure or Methodology.
Include a brief introduction, stating the purpose and content of your report.
Tasks 1 and 2 should be covered in the ‘Findings’ section of the report, with a summary of both tasks in the ‘Conclusions’ section. Task 3 should be covered in the ‘Recommendations’ section.
Criteria Ratings
This criterion is linked to a learning outcome Overview of the submission
This section provides a commentary on the assignment in relation to the requirements for the assessment as detailed in Canvas.
This criterion is linked to a learning outcome Strengths of your work
In this section you will see the strengths of this submission which you should carry forward and ensure you continue to use in other assessments as appropriate.
This criterion is linked to a learning outcome Areas for improvement
Here you will receive feedback upon how this specific assignment can be improved.
Year 2 Principles of Business Assignment Checklist
General Assignment Advice
• Produce your assignment in the required format (i.e. report, essay, portfolio etc). For advice on the difference between essay and report writing refer to the Study Skills section. Use photographs/diagrams as and where appropriate.
• Refer to the word count, this is for the main body of your work and excludes covers, contents pages, headings, sub-headings, appendices and the reference list. In-text references and citations in the main body of your work are included in the word count. You will be allowed a 10% allowance either side of this limit; markers will stop marking an assignment at the point where the 10% allowance is exceeded.
• Failure to submit by the published deadline will result in late submission penalties.
• The maximum assignment file size allowed is 19mb. If you are including pictures ensure that they are compressed to reduce the file size, any assignment submitted over 19mb will be returned for amendment and re- submission and classed as a late submission.
• As assignments are marked anonymously, you should not add your name to your assignment submission. You must add your PGA ID number to the first page of your assignment submission. This maybe the front page or cover sheet depending on the type of assignment being submitted.
• When you submit the assignment ensure it is submitted as one complete document, this includes any appendices.
• Refer to the following Study Skills sections for guidance on research skills, referencing skills and assignment writing skills.
• Research the subject from primary and secondary sources where appropriate.
• Where you use primary research e.g. an interview, written evidence should be submitted as an Appendix.
• Use secondary sources (i.e. journals and e-books) which are available through your e-library login or Google Scholar.
• Reference all sources, both in the text and in the reference list, using the Harvard system. See the Study Skills section for advice on this.
• It is important to distribute the words in accordance with the mark allocations shown in the marking scheme. An electronic word count must be submitted on the front page of your assignment.
• Do not copy material word for word from published sources or cut and paste from the internet, including the PGA study material. There are severe penalties for anyone found doing this -you must reference other people’s ideas and work.
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• Do not be tempted to copy another person’s assignment (current, previous or your own), the Turnitin software will detect the similarities, all parties will face severe consequences – including removal from the course. If you have previously submitted an assignment it cannot be re-submitted in full or part, this is classed as self-plagiarism.
• Unless stated otherwise write all assignments using black 12 point Arial font, with justified margins and double line spacing.
• Contact your Mentor (Foundation Degree) or PAT (Dip HE) if further support is required.
Specific Assignment Advice
This checklist has been compiled to guide you with your Year 2 Principles of Business assignment. To give yourself the best chance of scoring well in this assignment, try to tick as many boxes as possible for each section. Please note, ticking all the boxes will not guarantee top marks as the quality of your work is also very important.
E-Learning & Research
In addition to conducting secondary research, I have viewed:
 All Introduction & Situation Analysis learning material.  The Study Skills module.
 The Key Task Word page.
 Watched the Assignment Webinar.
Introduction
 My introduction briefly states the purpose and content of my report. Findings
My findings section:
Task 1 (Approx. 400 words +/- 10%)
 Explains, using examples, why it is important for PGA Pros to have an understanding of external influences in the macro-environment.
Task 2a (Approx. 800 words +/- 10%)
 Analyses the current state of the U.K.’s economy, using 4 economic indicators and desk research.
Task 2b (Approx. 400 words +/- 10%)
 Discusses the impact these trends are having on golf retailing or golf coaching in the UK and the impact they could have if they continue in the short-term (next 12 months).
 Demonstrates I have a strong understanding of the subject area.
 Demonstrates I have conducted secondary research.
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Conclusions
My conclusions:
 Summarise the main findings in relation to Tasks 1 & 2.
 Provide a judgement based only on the information within Tasks 1 & 2.  Do not make any recommendations at this stage.
Recommendations
Task 3 (Approx. 280 words +/- 10%)
My recommendations section is presented clearly and logically and:
 Recommends three key actions based on the Findings section that focus on adding value.
 Presents justified, practical and actionable recommendations that are supported by credible sources.
Structure & Presentation
 My assignment is in report format and within 10% (+/-) of the word count.
 My report is written in the 3rd person.
 On this occasion, my report does not include a methodology section.
 My work is presented professionally and is well organised.
 My report does not contain any spelling or grammatical errors.
Referencing
 All sources I have used are cited in the main body using the Harvard Referencing System.
 My referencing style is consistent.
 I have compiled a reference list, in alphabetical order, at the end of my report.
Key Task Words
Each question in your assessments will ask you to answer in a specific way. Listed below are some common task words that may feature in your assessments. Please familiarise yourself with these words and their meaning to ensure you are answering the question in the correct manner.
Analyse Break up into parts; investigate in-depth and in detail from different perspectives using supporting arguments and evidence.
Calculate Determine the amount or number of something mathematically.
Describe Provide a detailed explanation as to how and why something happens or happened.
Discuss Investigate or examine by argument; sift and debate; give reasons for and against; examine the implications.
Define Give the exact meaning of. Where relevant, show you understand of how the definition may be problematic.
Evaluate Assess and give your judgement about the merit, importance or usefulness of something using evidence to support your argument.
Explain Make clear why something happens, or is the way it is; interpret and account for; give reasons for.
Identify State the main features briefly and clearly.
Justify Give evidence which supports an argument or idea; show why a decision or conclusions were made.
Recommend Put forward a particular option, suggestion or action.
State Express something concisely and specifically.
Suggest Give possible reasons.
Predict Suggest what will happen in the future or will be the consequence of something.
Marking Scheme – Principles of Business Assignment Year 2 (2022/23)
Explanation of why it is important for PGA Pros to have an understanding of external influences in
the macro-environment
(Up to 20 marks)
Analysis of the current state of the U.K.’s economy