Do you want to be a golf pro?
You may want to consider a career as a golf pro! Golf professionals have a passion and aptitude for the sport of golf. They can be anything from a golf club manager, a certified golf coach, or a touring professional that plays golf for a living. What is a Golf Pro? What does a Golf Pro do? What is the workplace of a Golf Pro like?
Why choose a career in golf?
Golf careers cover an amazing breadth of positions, allowing you to create a career path that best matches your talent, abilities and interest. Despite various reports to the contrary, golf continues to be a robust and vital industry. The golf industry economy has been estimated to be around $70 billion in the United States alone.
What skills do you need to become a professional golfer?
You will need top golf skills if you are going to develop other people to play the game at the best level they can. You will also require complete knowledge of the rules of golf, something you will have to revise as they change with new developments.
What are the best jobs in the golf industry?
What are Some Great Careers in the Golf Industry? 1 Director of Golf. As a golf director , your responsibilities will be to oversee all of the golf operations at a golf club or country club. This scope ... 2 Club Professional. 3 Teaching Professional. 4 College of High School Coach. 5 General Manager. More items
How good do you have to be at golf to go pro?
Professional golf whether at mini tour level or major tour level is extremely competitive and any amateur golfer-male or female that wishes to take this path needs to appreciate that from the time you turn professional it will take you at a minimum 7 to 10 or more years of hard work, dedication and patience to make it ...
What do pros average in golf?
For an 18 hole par-72 course, an average golfer should aim for a score of around 90. This is considered an average score for golfers playing 18 holes. Beginners can expect to score a bit over 90, while professionals should be able to shoot under 90 for an 18 hole par-72 course consistently.
What percentage of golfers make it pro?
According to the Professional Athlete Index, only one out 51,346 become a professional golfer in the United States, and the U.S. actually produces the highest percentage of top-tier golfers globally (23.09%).
What is considered a pro golfer?
A professional golfer is somebody who receives payments or financial rewards in the sport of golf that are directly related to their skill or reputation. Also a person who earns money by teaching or playing golf is traditionally considered a "golf pro," most of whom are teachers/coaches.
What handicap do you need to be a pro golfer?
+4 to +6The 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.
Is 70 a good golf score?
Golf courses normally have a par that ranges between 70 and 72; any score that is at par or under par is considered good.
Can you become a pro golfer at 30?
The good news from the research is that players can still turn professional even in their early 30s. It was also found that the best years for a golf professional are between 30 and 35, although plenty of tour players have shown they can still win tournaments in their 40s.
Is golf a elitist sport?
One major reason that golf is considered elitist is the perceived lack of diversity among those who play it. Golf history invokes ideas of exclusive country clubs with gates that open only for those with power, influence, and the right skin tone.
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 better are pro golfers?
The chart below tells us that the PGA Tour scoring average is 2.25 strokes better than Mr. Scratch. Further, Tour players are playing courses that are 3.2 strokes more difficult. The net result is a 5.45-shot difference between Tour players and Mr.
How many balls do pros hit a day?
500 ballsHow Many Range Balls Do Pros Hit A Day. On average, professional golfers hit around 500 balls per day when they're not playing a tournament. The majority of these balls are hit either around the green or on the course, while only 50-100 would be hit at the driving range.
What is the average handicap in golf?
1. The average handicap index for men is 14.2. 2. The average handicap index for women is 27.5.
What is the career of a PGA teacher?
Advancement. Many PGA teaching professionals start their careers as assistants or apprentices at golf facilities. Later, they can advance to management positions at golf facilities. Some move into golf course equipment sales or marketing.
What is a PGA instructor?
The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) is the governing body for golf teaching professionals in the United States. According to the PGA, a candidate for membership must complete a playing aptitude test to prove he has the skills to teach the game. PGA instructors must be high school graduates and complete a two-to-three-year program as an ...
How long does it take to become a PGA instructor?
PGA instructors must be high school graduates and complete a two-to-three-year program as an assistant at a PGA facility along with a study and training program in which the candidate learns about teaching the game, managing a pro shop and operating a golf course.
How many hours does a PGA member work?
PGA members who manage facilities also can work more than 40 hours a week and at least some of the those hours on the weekends. In addition to teaching responsibilities, PGA professionals also work in the industry as retail managers and sales representatives for equipment companies, which often requires travel.
What are professional teachers expected to do?
According to the PGA, professional teachers are also expected to enroll in continuing-education programs, including courses in management, marketing and golf course ownership.
How much money do tour players make?
However, according to the Tour's earnings list, players at the bottom of the rankings can make as little as $6,000 annually.
What is a tour player?
The Tour player is a professional athlete and spends a good deal of time practicing and playing in tournaments. This usually means a heavy travel schedule and time spent working with coaches and trainers, including weight training, running and even flexibility and mental training through disciplines such as yoga.
What is a golf pro?
A golf pro is someone who has completed the requirements to become certified as a professional by the Professional Golfer's Association. Golf pros often manage golf courses and provide lessons to other golfers.
What do golf pros do?
There are several primary tasks that golf pros perform depending on the position a golf club has hired them for, including:
How to become a golf pro
In order to become a golf pro certified by the Professional Golf Association, there are several steps that you can take:
Salary
The average salary for a professional golfer is $29,569 per year. There are many job titles that golf pros have while working at golf courses, such as
Tips for becoming a golf pro
Becoming a golf pro requires extensive knowledge of the game and the ability to perform very well when playing. Here are some tips for becoming a successful golf professional:
What is a golf pro?
A golf pro is someone who earns money by either teaching or playing golf. Golf pros can be anything from the manager of a club or resort to certified coaches who train people of all ages to play golf. One common denominator between all golf professionals is a passion and aptitude for the sport. A professional golfer, on ...
What is a golf club professional?
Club professionals are the golf pros who run golf courses. Whether they be country clubs, driving ranges, public courses or resorts, the golf pro is responsible for everything from daily management to course maintenance and giving advice to other golfers on what equipment to use. Club professionals are also responsible for many other managerial ...
What is the difference between a professional golfer and a golfer?
A professional golfer, on the other hand, is someone who plays golf for a living, playing on major tours such as the PGA tour.
Why do golf clubs close in winter?
Even club professionals who spend most of their time indoors must often close the club during the winter due to a lack of customers.
What are club professionals responsible for?
Club professionals are also responsible for many other managerial duties including accounting, staff supervision, advertising, press releases, keeping track of inventory and scheduling maintenance. In addition, these golf pros are businessmen who are the public face of their establishment.
Do golfers spend time outside?
Since golf is a game that must be played outside, most golf pros spend a significant amount of time outdoors. The amount of physical activity is higher than that incurred in the average occupation, but significantly lower than in most other sports.
How long does it take to become a professional golfer?
Research indicates it could take seven to ten years to become a top professional golfer. 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.
What is the best handicap for golf?
The world’s best golfers “played to handicaps of +4 to +6” before ever making it as a professional, according to experts. One of the most well-known golf courses in America is Arizona’s Whisper Rock Golf Club.
What golf course is in Arizona?
One of the most well-known golf courses in America is Arizona’s Whisper Rock Golf Club . The elite club boasts several PGA Tour players as members and all have an incredible handicap at the club. Phil Mickelson (+5.2), Martin Kaymer (+6.6), Paul Casey (+6) and Geoff Ogilvy (+5.8) all play the Whisper Rock Golf Club regularly, ...
Is handicap good in school?
Handicaps. If you thought your handicap was good while in school, you are still far away from the elite players. Most golfers love to brag about their handicaps, and many amateurs or scratch golfers hang their hats on having a good course handicap. But professional golfers blow these players out of the water when it comes to shooting low scores ...
I Want to be a Professional Golfer
If you’re looking to become a professional golfer either as a Tournament player or PGA Professional or even to lower your golf handicap to try to become a top amateur golfer or gain a place in a golf college in America. The Golf College has a proven track record in helping you gain access to each of these golf career paths.
I want a Career in Golf
As a student you’ll think of many possible career opportunities and you’ll set your sights to achieve that chosen career path. When you decide that a career in golf is what you want then arrange a meeting with the Golf College coaching staff to discuss your potential.
Who was the first person to make money playing golf?
It was not until well into the twentieth century that golfers began to make enough money to live on their prize money. Walter Hagen is generally considered to be the first man to have done 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 does a caddy do in golf?
The duties involve helping the golfer pick the right clubs, maintaining equipment and repairing the course after they have made the shot. But the essential skill is understanding and motivating people. If you caddy for a top professional, you will need to manage their quirks and know their strengths and weaknesses. To do this well, it helps to have substantial experience as a tournament player yourself.
How many classifications does the PGA have?
The PGA has thirty-one classifications for professionals. You can see the whole list on its website. But to give you some food for thought, here are some of the roles it includes. Organizational roles such as head professional at a golf course or golf range administrator or organizer of tournaments.
What are skills based roles?
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. Rules-based jobs such as superintendent of a golf course or officiating rules.
What does a coach do for you?
A top coach will help you develop a strategy, not just improve your shots. They will help you develop a professional training plan, the intensity , and duration of practice and what you need to practice. They will also have access to the best technology to take apart your game and analyze every aspect.
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.
Who is considered a pro golfer?
A pro golfer is someone who plays golf for a living.
What is a pro golfer?
A pro golfer is someone who plays golf for a living. The best pro golfers play on a major tour, such as the PGA Tour in the United States, or the European Tour. Other pro golfers play on development or mini-tours.
How do golf pros make a living?
Many golf pros make a living by teaching the game, but also compete in state, local or regional tournaments, often alongside professional tournament golfers. In Michigan, for example, the state’s Women’s Open winner earned $5,500 in 2011, while the Men’s Open champion received $10,000.
What is a swing coach?
Swing coaches typically fall into the category of golf pros, but are generally freelancers or owners of their own facilities, rather than working at a club or driving range. The best swing coaches work with pro golfers, helping refine or even reshape their swings.
What was the median income of a PGA player in 2011?
The median gross income for a PGA Tour player in 2011, for example, was $628,000. Other well-known golf circuits include the Asian Tour and the Nationwide Tour, the latter of which serves as a stepping stone to the PGA Tour.
What is a teaching professional?
A “Teaching Professional” may give lessons, supervise other instructors or teach their fellow pros how to give lessons, according to the PGA. Golf pros in general also offer advice on equipment, while some will coach scholastic teams on the high school or college level.