How to Qualify to Teach Golf in Michigan

Physical stance is vital to playing the game well.

Golf is a game of great skill. Golfers who want to be able to teach golf in Michigan's public schools may need a teaching degree with an emphasis in golf or special approval from the district. Michigan is home to 554 PGA certified golf courses. Golf courses employ golf pros who have demonstrable skills, not only at golf, but the ability to work with clients to convey both the physical techniques of golf and the mental tools to play the game effectively. The Professional Golf Association (PGA) has several programs that certify golf teachers.

Instructions

1. Earn a degree from a college or university in Michigan in physical education with a focus on golf. Golf is a seasonal activity in Michigan, since many golf courses close for the winter, so being able to teach something besides golf during the winter assures you of a steady job.

2. Seek approval as a Highly Qualified (HQ) instructor. Expert golfers can teach golf in Michigan's public schools if they hold a state-authorized certificate in golf under the rules of the federal program, No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Michigan's schools can consider highly qualified experts, as long as the applicant can demonstrate mastery of the game. The designation as a professional golfer from the PGA would certainly qualify someone as an HQ expert in Michigan's school system.

3. Enroll in the PGA's golf-instruction program. This is a nationally recognized way to teach golf virtually anywhere in Michigan if opportunities are available. The PGA requires enrolling students to have a high-school diploma or its equivalency, pass a background check and not participate in amateur golf events while enrolled in the school. As of January 2011, the PGA has 20 colleges and universities across the U.S. that teach the program. The major takes between 4.5 and 5 years to complete.

4. Seek pro golfer status with the PGA. The PGA considers golfers whose scores typically are in the low 70s for certification. If your scores are at or below par, consider contacting the PGA to enroll in the Golf Professional Training Program (GPTP). Once you successfully complete this program, the PGA confers certificates for golf pros who meet the requirements of the program. You can also seek certification by working as an assistant pro under a PGA member at a PGA golf course and enter the Professional Readiness Organization (PRO). These programs also require self-study classes.

References

• PGA: Michigan Golf Courses
• PGA: How to Become a PGA Pro
• Professional Golf Association: Education