How Do I Become a Golf Professional?

Careers in the golf industry can be rewarding.

For anyone who loves golf, becoming a professional sounds like the ideal career. A golf professional's job requires mastering different skills, including customer service, marketing, finance and managing employees. In many ways, he is the CEO of the entire golf operation. At a large golf club or luxury golf resort, the top professional is often called the director of golf. At other clubs, the top individual would have the title of club professional. The typical golf resort or country club would have assistant professionals on staff as well. There is also the designation teaching professional for someone whose primary responsibility is to give golf lessons to club members or resort guests.

Instructions

1. Find an entry-level job in the golf industry. A good way for a young person who aspires to be a golf professional to get started is to take a job at a golf club and begin learning the business by observing the day-to-day duties of the golf professionals. Entry-level jobs often involve performing routine tasks, such as setting out and gathering practice balls at the driving range or helping the members carry their golf bags to and from their cars. Learning how to serve members' and guests' needs is an important skill to acquire early on.

   There's a lot more to the profession than just being an accomplished golfer.

2. The ultimate goal of an aspiring golf professional is to become a member of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of America. Once you decide a golf career is what you want, express your interest in becoming a club professional to the pro or the director of golf at the club where you work. Become their apprentice. This person can guide you through the educational and other requirements necessary to earning your PGA membership. In addition to course study, apprentices must pass a Qualifying Test, a PGA Playing Ability Test and attend seminars at the PGA Education Center located in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

3. Another path to gaining membership in the PGA is to enroll in the PGA Golf Management (PGM) University Program. Graduates of this 4 1/2- to 5-year program earn a bachelor's degree in golf management and become members of the PGA. The program is offered at selected universities across the nation, including Arizona State, Florida State and Nebraska. Job placement after graduation is an important benefit of the program.

Tips & Warnings

• From the moment you start your entry-level job at a club, try to learn everything you can about the facility's management. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

• Be the best employee you can at the club so you are given additional responsibilities and opportunities to learn.

• If you think a golf career means playing golf every day, you might be surprised to learn that many head professionals have very little time to get out to the course because their days are so filled with the managerial duties and responsibilities the job entails.

References

• Professional Golfers Association