Training You Need to Become a Golf Pro

There is an extensive training program before earning membership with the PGA.

The PGA offers an extensive training program known as the Professional Golf Management Program. Once the program is completed, apprentices become members of the PGA. A career as a golf professional can be very rewarding, with many career paths. All apprentices will complete the same curriculum to earn the PGA membership.

Prerequisites

To begin the PGA program you must first complete a background check and knowledge test. Next, you will take a Playing Ability Test played over 36 holes. To determine the target score take the course rating and multiply it by two and add 15. To successfully pass the PAT you must shoot the target score or lower. However, to register as an apprentice, you must demonstrate you have the potential to pass the PAT. For example, if the course rating is 72, multiply it by two to get 144. Add 15 to the course rating and the target score is 159. To pass you must shoot lower than 159. To register as an apprentice, you must shoot at least 5 shots above half the target score, which is 85, over 18 holes. You must pass the test before being elected to membership with the PGA. You must be employed at a PGA-recognized facility and pay all fees associated with entering the apprentice program.

Membership

Apprentices must complete the PGA Professional Golf Management Program in eight years from the time they enroll. In addition, apprentices must have a high school diploma or be at least 18 with the equivalent of a high school education. A college degree counts toward educational credits for the PGA membership. Apprentices must also earn a total of 36 work experience credits before earning their membership. One credit is earned each month while working full time. A four-year college degree is worth 12 credits, and a two-year college degree is worth six work experience credits.

Checkpoint 1

There is a series of three checkpoint tests that must be completed. Level one is the most diverse checkpoint, and apprentices will learn how to write cover letters and resumes, how to conduct a golf tournament, and how to repair golf clubs. Other topics include rules of golf, golfer development programs, and golf club design. This information is outlined in books and seminars, and apprentices must complete the book work on all topics and submit them to the PGA for review. If the work is satisfactory, they are permitted to attend each checkpoint.

The PGA requires all apprentices to complete the level one checkpoint in two years. Apprentices must complete a work experience interview at each checkpoint. In each interview, an instructor discusses a challenging situation you encountered.

Checkpoint 2

The level two checkpoint must be completed within four years of the level one start date. The course work basically deals with teaching golf and business management strategies that will be needed as a manager of a golf course. The Turfgrass information is a basic introduction to the necessary maintenance of a golf course. All apprentices must complete two electives available from level two or three, including golf course design, public speaking, golf facility design, CPR and first aid, golf range management, and caddie program management.

Checkpoint 3

The level three checkpoint must be completed within six years of the level one start date. This is the final checkpoint before being elected to membership. Coursework deals mostly with business management strategies and teaching golf. They are then tested on merchandising and inventory management, supervising and delegating, food and beverage control, and swing concepts. Apprentices will give a challenge response presentation, which deals with an industry challenge encountered while working toward membership with the PGA. Apprentices give this presentation to instructors and fellow apprentices. An employment interview is also required and is conducted by an instructor. The interview utilizes the skills learned from the career enhancement information from level one.

References

• PGA: Steps to Becoming a PGA Member

Resources

• University of Idaho: PGA Professional Golf Management Program
• PGA: Become a PGA Member