how do i become a golf pro

How to become a golf pro

1. Complete a background check. Prospective golf pros must complete a background check. ...
2. Become employed in a golf-related field. The PGA requires golf pros to work in a golf-related field prior to seeking certification. ...
3. Pass the qualifying courses. ...
4. Complete the PAT. ...
5. Earn a bachelor's degree or complete an apprenticeship. ...

Full Answer

What makes a good golfer?

Co-leader Jason Day speaks with Kira K. Dixon about his mindset throughout his third round (67) at the Farmers Insurance Open from Torrey Pines and why he's been so successful at the famed La Jolla golf course. Instant access to the latest news ...

How to turn pro golf?

“How To Become A Golf Tour Pro” Step 1: Research. The first step of the process is doing some serious research on professional golf. This will give you... Step 2: A Plan. You’ve done your research and selected a tour that you are confident you can compete on, it’s time to... Step 3: Financial ...

How do I become a professional golfer?

The 7 Golf Development Areas

1. Golf Course Time. The first thing to improve is the practice time on the golf course. ...
2. Taking instruction from a coach. It is not quite possible to become a pro without the instruction of a coach. ...
3. Practicing Short Game. ...
4. Practicing Bunker shots. ...
5. Full Swing Practice. ...
6. Practicing Chip, Pitch, and Lob shots. ...
7. Practicing Wedge Skill. ...

How to get PGA certified?

• Level 1 must be successfully completed within three years of the Level 1 Start Date
• Level 2 must be successfully completed within three years of the Level 2 Start Date
• Level 3 and election to PGA Membership must be successfully accomplished within nine years of the Level 1 Start Date.

How long does it take to become a golf pro?

Recognizing the business aspects of being a golf professional, the PGA offers a PGA Golf Management (PGM) University Program through large universities in various parts of the U.S. such as Penn State, Arizona State and Florida State. The program requires a 4.5 to 5 years to complete.

How much does it cost to become a golf pro?

It costs a minimum of $110,000 to compete for a year on the PGA Tour—$75,000 on the Nationwide—and there are no guaranteed paydays. Each week the worst-scoring half of the field is eliminated after the second day of the four-day tournament and earns nothing.

How hard is it to become pro at golf?

It has been reported that athletes need 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill, but practice quality also counts in becoming a professional golfer. So, playing the most high-quality rounds or training sessions can help you become a better player.

How much do golf pros get paid?

The salaries of Golf Pros in the US range from $73,478 to $105,174 , with a median salary of $82,469 . The middle 57% of Golf Pros makes between $82,469 and $89,955, with the top 86% making $105,174.

Do golf pros pay to enter tournaments?

Except at the highest levels, professional golfers must pay entry fees to play in tournaments. It may seem counterintuitive, but a player at the top of golf's food chain often doesn't have to pay an entry fee, because expenses for high-profile tournaments are covered by sponsors and TV networks.

What handicap do you need to be a PGA pro?

The majority of top golf professionals played to handicaps of +4 to +6 before entering the professional ranks. Some current pros still hold active handicaps, and these serve to highlight how much better than “scratch” they really are.

Who is the oldest golfer to turn pro?

Allen DoyleThe Oldest Golfer to Turn Pro The oldest person to become a pro golfer is Allen Doyle, who turned pro at the age of 46 and qualified for the PGA Tour at 48. He would go on to win 11 PGA Tour Champions victories.

How do I start a career in golf?

Here is how to start a career in golf if you want to become a professional golfer:Start as early as you can. ... Get golf lessons. ... Practice everything. ... Join a golf club. ... Sharpen your competitive edge in college. ... Go to “Q-School” – the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament. ... Start entering pro tournaments. ... Get your PGA Tour card.

Is it too late to be a pro golfer?

As three over-50 golfers found out, it's never too late to turn Professional thanks to the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour. As three over-50 golfers found out, it's never too late to turn Professional thanks to the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour.

Why are golfers so rich?

Golfers get paid so much because of sponsorships and tournament funds that are allocated to the tournament purse. Because of the attention to professional golf and the participation of brands and fans, there is quite a bit of money to give to the top players.

Can you make money playing golf?

Golf can be a great game to play for fun, but it can also be a way for people to make money. Making money as a golfer does not always mean you need to be a scratch golfer. If you are creative and know a good bit about the game and truly enjoy it, you can find ways to make money.

What makes a golf pro?

Strictly speaking, anyone who earns money by playing or teaching golf can be considered a golf pro. The vast majority of golf pros, however, are instructors who likely play much less golf than the students they teach. A pro golfer is someone who plays golf for a living.

How do golf pros make it to the elite ranks?

These golf pros make it to the elite ranks by successfully touring at an amateur level before moving on to progressively larger tournaments. Through talent, hard work and no small amount of luck, touring professionals may benefit from a long career as a golf professional.

What is PGA PGM?

Candidates must also enter the PGA Professional Golf Management Program (PGA PGM), which is an apprenticeship that uniquely prepares them for life as a professional golfer. Graduates of the program are knowledgable in state-of-the-art golfing practices as well as techniques to improve the value of their golf facility. Moreover, successful completion of the program equips golf pros with the skills needed to provide exceptional service to customers or clients and act as a public representative of the PGA.

Is becoming a golf pro right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

How long does it take to get PGA certification?

To get PGA certification, you will need eight years of playing, experience, and education. Once you have this, you are qualified to coach everyone from the newest player at a club up to top level professionals.

How do professional golfers live?

Most professional golfers live by providing services to other golfers rather than by winning tournaments. There are a whole number of ways it is possible to do this.

What is the job of a golf club manager?

It is the top job. You will oversee all the operations at a golf club. It includes staff, maintenance of the course, hospitality and other matters which ensure the success of the club.

What are the roles of a golf professional?

Organizational roles such as head professional at a golf course or golf range administrator or organizer of tournaments. Skills-based roles such as golf clinician or golf coach. Professional functions such as management and financing and administration. Specialist roles such as golf course architect.

How did young men get money from golf?

Many young men had grown up around golf who were very good, but relatively poor. If they were to have the chance to spend enough time on the course to get better, they needed to find some way to make money. They discovered that there were ways they could earn enough cash to stay on the golf course. Working as a caddy for the better-off players and being paid for playing challenge matches were two of the most popular.

Where is golf spreading?

Golf is spreading around the world, to developing countries such as China and other parts of South East Asia and India and South America. Tournaments follow as this interest grows.

Is golf a sport?

Golf is a very individual sport. There are rarely coaches traveling the country watching teams, as happened in games such as football or basketball. The nearest equivalent for golf is the buzz around the big amateur tournaments.

What is the best way to become a pro golfer?

Developing an outgoing personality and the ability to listen to customers’ needs and concerns are important aspects of becoming a pro. Giving lessons to club members or daily fee golfers also requires a winning personality and a positive attitude.

What is a golf pro?

A golf pro at a club must be a proficient player and instructor. At both public and private courses, the head golf professional oversees the operations of the golf shop, including merchandise sales. The head pro may also give golf lessons, but at some golf facilities this is done by a teaching professional--a separate position.

How long does it take to become a golf manager?

such as Penn State, Arizona State and Florida State. The program requires a 4.5 to 5 years to complete. Graduates earn a bachelor’s degree in golf management and PGA membership.

Do you have to be a professional golfer to be a PGA golfer?

Although club professionals are not expected to be championship caliber golfers like those on the PGA Tour, one of the requirements for earning membership in the PGA is passing a PGA Playing Ability Test. To be a good golf teacher you must have a thorough understanding of golf swing mechanics and be able to communicate this to students.

How to become a professional golfer as a teenager?

If you are an adult, begin playing today. The sooner you begin playing golf, the sooner you can reach your goal of becoming a professional golfer. Take golf lessons.

What skills do you need to be a professional golfer?

You will need to master putting, bunker, full swing, chip, pitch, lob, and approach wedge skills.

How to develop a wide range of golf skills?

Dedicate ample time to each golfing skill. While it’s important to spend as much time on the golf course as possible, it is equally important that you dedicate time to each specific skill. Doing so will ensure you develop a wide range of skills to your fullest potential.

How to get experience in golf?

Compete in multiple professional golf tournaments. Try to play in as many professional tournaments as your budget and schedule allow. This will give you experience as well as exposure to other professional golfers and potential sponsors. Some tournaments to consider include the Moonlight Tour, NGA Pro Golf Tour, and the eGolf Professional Tour.

What are the benefits of joining a local golf club?

There are many benefits to joining a local golf club. In addition to getting experience, you will make connections with other golfers in your area. Joining a local club may also lead to invitations to participate in the club’s tournament program, providing you with opportunities to compete in local and regional tournaments.

How to get competitive experience in golf?

Compete in amateur tournaments. Take advantage of opportunities to play in local, regional, and national amateur golf tournaments. These tournaments will give you competitive experience. Playing in amateur tournaments will also provide you with an opportunity to become known in particular golf circuits, which will come in handy as your golf career progresses.

How many stages are there in the PGA Tour?

Play in the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament. This tournament, also known as Qualifying School or Q School, is played in 4 sequential stages. Players qualify for the stages sequentially, with only 144 players making it to the final stage. After the final stage, the top 25 players will qualify for the Web.com tour.

How many hours of experience do you need to become a PGA professional?

Amidst all of this you will also be expected to get thirty-six hours of experience. These experience hours can be collected through a wide variety of ways, including college courses. Otherwise, you can earn one credit a month working alongside a certified PGA professional.

What skills do you need to be a good golf instructor?

Good communication skills really are a must with this career path. If you’ve ever taken golf lessons before, you are probably well aware of how important it is to have an instructor that is able to articulate their instructions well.

How long do you have to be a registered alien to play golf?

If you are not a citizen you will need to be a registered alien. The Pro Golf Association will also require that you have six months of relevant employment experience at the time of registration. You can find an extensive list of what jobs they consider relevant on their website.

How long does it take to get into golf level 1?

Technically you have two years to complete the coursework for each level, though you should be able to get it done much quicker than that. Level 1 includes testing material on the rules of golf, tournament operations, and club design and repair.

Do tour golfers need teachers?

That said, there are certainly golf professionals out there that are making the big bucks. After all, even tour pros need teachers. And even if you can’t land a job teaching the game’s best, you can certainly set higher rates once you earn a reputation as a good instructor.

Is golf a transient job?

The life of a golf professional is not, by definition, transient, but there are also a limited number of teaching jobs available. Not all golf courses employ teaching professionals at all, and the ones that do usually only keep one on the payroll at a time. If all of the golf courses in your area are already fully staffed you may need ...

Can everyone be a golf pro?

The truth of the matter is that not everyone can be a golf professional. If you play a few times a month and struggle to break bogey, chances are the life of a golf pro probably is not for you. Disappointing, I know, but don’t fret too much. There are plenty of careers in golf that don’t hinge on your ability to teach or play the game.

What is the best way to become a golf instructor?

Becoming a golf instructor requires a unique blend of an analytical mind and an outgoing personality that works well with people.#N#An analytical mind helps to make judgments on a golfer’s swing and come up with a lesson plan that addresses their primary difficulties.#N#An effusive personality helps because people respond to training when they feel the instructor understands their unique situation and is ready to work with them closely to build the correct skills and outline steps to improvement.#N#This does not mean that you have to be an entertainer.

What are the skills of a golf instructor?

The problem may rest in many different areas for each golfer. To be successful, the essential skills of a golf instructor include communication skills, likeability, knowledge, and the ability to encourage and motivate golf students.

What is a golf education program?

In a formal golf educational program, you will avail yourself of training and instruction from expert golf professionals who have experience in the field and classroom. You will learn all facets of the golf industry and if teaching the game is of special interest, you will build a foundation of coaching and teaching that propels you into the golf instruction market with the tools to be successful. Taking lessons from an individual who “learned on their own” is never good advice. Would you hire a general contractor to build your new home who “learned on his own”? I would guess you would prefer someone with the credentials and education to get your house built the right way. There is no better place to get started in a golf career than the Keiser University College of Golf and Sport Management program. The College of Golf offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs for individuals who want to make a difference in the golf industry.

Why do people quit golf?

One of the reasons golfers quit playing the game is due to frustration in learning to play. A competent golf instructor mitigates these challenges and significantly improves the new student’s ability to learn the game. Too many golfers try to learn on their own or through a friend or colleague. The ultimate goal for the Director of Golf Instruction is growing golf participation, and with improved golf skills, studies show that golfers will play more golf!

Why is it important to attend golf conferences?

Attend golf camps and conferences. There are two benefits to attending golf conferences: – Knowledge and skills. You will learn a ton at sessions. – Contacts. Some people believe this is more important: you make lots of good contacts in casual settings outside the conference meetings.

What is the biggest challenge for a new golf instructor?

The biggest challenge for a new golf instructor is not knowing what to do with a student or how to help them get better. The problem is getting a potential student to sign up for a lesson. Growing your teaching business involves three distinct pillars of marketing. The first step is to build your customer base. The second step is to get your existing customers to come back after their initial lesson. Finally, an appropriate pricing strategy must be established that is focused on your core audience.

What are the different types of golf instructors?

Two Types. There are generally two types of golf instructors: – Club professional. Traditionally, the club professional was responsible for giving lessons, repairing clubs, working in the pro shop, ordering merchandise and selling product.

What is required to be a PGA teaching pro?

Becoming a PGA teaching pro requires a both a playing and written test.

How to register to be an apprentice at PGA?

Register to be an apprentice by filling out the apprentice registration form on the PGA website (see References).

How long do you have to be employed to be a PGA member?

To be considered eligibly employed, you need to be employed full time in an eligible position for at least six months at the time of registration.

How many hours of work experience do you need to become a PGA member?

Complete 36 hours of work experience credits along with the level kits. You receive twelve credits for a four-year college degree and six credits for a two-year college degree. Earn one credit per month by working under a PGA professional. After completing your work experience credits and Level 3, you are a PGA member.

What is level 1 golf?

When the kit is accepted, you take the Level 1 checkpoint test. Level 1 testing consists of Rules of Golf, Tournament Operations and Golf Club Design and Repair. Level 2 consists of Analysis of the Swing, Customer Relations and Business Planning. Level 3 consists of Swing Concepts, Inventory Management, and Supervising.

Who runs the PGA?

There are many teaching pros out there, and most of them have gone through the PGA program. The PGA program is run by the Professional Golfers' Association.

What are some examples of PGA jobs?

The PGA has a full list of jobs that qualify as eligible employment on its website (see References). For example, golf coach, golf media and assistant pro are all eligible jobs.