About PGA Professionals

PGA professional golfers are golfers who earn their living working in various areas of the sport of golf. The history of the PGA professional goes back to the 1800's and has evolved over the years. Today's professional golfer has chosen one of two educational paths to obtain professional status. The professional golfer will also be found working a variety of jobs related to golf as well as playing golf. Here you will find what a PGA professional is, what it takes to qualify as one and the types of professional that are a part of golf today.

Identification

The PGA (Professional Golf Association) Professional is a golfer who plays for money in PGA-sponsored events. Most often a PGA professional manages golf courses or holds an administrative or teaching position within the golf industry. A professional golfer has gone through at least three years of training as well as worked in the industry for a number of years.

History

The first golf professionals appeared with the formation of the Professional Golfers' Association in 1901 in Scotland. Golf Pros were practicing skills such as making clubs, balls, repairing equipment, working as caddy and both teacher and greens keeper.

At the middle of the 19th Century there were only 23 golf clubs in Scotland. By the end of the 19th Century there were 1,300 golf associations across the British Isles.

During the 1950's golf moved to America and the pro moved from being a simple "jack-of-all-trades" to being a more advanced player who began to earn a little money.

Professional tournaments emerged during the 1960's and 1970's which allowed pros to play against each other during the week while maintaining their club employment during the weekend.

Separate tournament divisions were created by the PGA for pros in 1974 which led to the PGA European Tour in the 1980's.

At the end of the 20th Century PGA professionals began earning larger sums of money and notoriety. By the beginning of the 21st Century many pros were earning enough to simply use their employment within the golf industry to supplement their playing and tournament income.

Qualifying

You can qualify as a professional golfer with the PGA using one of two routes. The most used direction has the aspiring golfer register as an assistant at a local golf course which is recognized by the PGA. The other method is through education and management training to run a golf facility.

Types

There are two types of professional golfer in the PGA. There is the touring professional and the club professional.

Upwards of 95% of all professional golfers earn a living teaching golf, managing courses and clubs or dealing in a range of golf equipment. This is the category where you would find the club professional. Golfers in this category started as caddies or apprentices on an accredited golf course or driving range.

The remaining 5% of professional golfers are a high profile group which use tournaments to earn a living by winning prize money or gaining endorsements and corporate sponsorships.

Education

The education required to become a PGA Professional requires three years of training and course work resulting in one of two degrees from the University of Birmingham in Birmingham Alabama.

The first degree, known as a Foundation Degree, involves the study in golf coaching, sports science, business management and the rules of tournaments and golf in general. The second degree, known as a BA Hons Degree in Applied Golf Management Studies, is similar to the AGMS (Applied Golf Management Studies) degree offered in the UK.

Most countries which have a PGA organization have similar requirements and training to the American and British training.