PGA Professional. Career path?

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By NHryn

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  • 12 Replies
  1. NHryn

    NHryn
    Grampian, PA

    I'm currently a sophmore in highschool and have strongly been considering going to school at a golf management program and becoming a PGA teaching professionals. I have emailed and have had nice convorsations with many PGA professional including Titleist very own Mike Thomas (Justin Thomas's father and caddie). I love golf very much and love all aspects of the game. I would like to know what you guys thoughts are of the career of PGA teaching professional?

    Thank you, Nate

  2. Cath D.

    Cath D.
    Carlsbad, CA

    Hi Nate, I would see if you can work this summer at a local golf course and get a chance to see what the club pro's life is all about. Many of the PGA club pros work long hours, weekends and holidays. So, on one hand, you get the pleasure of teaching and passing on this great game to people and on the other hand, you may have less time to devote to your own game. Many pros have worked their way up from the cart guys, to outside services, then to the pro shop, learning about the different paths available to them through the PGA program. See if there is a path that speaks to you and shadow pros in that field to get a better idea of what is involved.
    Good luck!!
  3. NHryn

    NHryn
    Grampian, PA

    Cathi, Titleist Club Concierge said:

    Hi Nate, I would see if you can work this summer at a local golf course and get a chance to see what the club pro's life is all about. Many of the PGA club pros work long hours, weekends and holidays. So, on one hand, you get the pleasure of teaching and passing on this great game to people and on the other hand, you may have less time to devote to your own game. Many pros have worked their way up from the cart guys, to outside services, then to the pro shop, learning about the different paths available to them through the PGA program. See if there is a path that speaks to you and shadow pros in that field to get a better idea of what is involved.
    Good luck!!

    Thank you for your support, I'm sure everything will work out for me
  4. larry m

    larry m
    columbiana, OH

    Well put Cathi.
  5. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Good luck if you choose this career field. Any career worthwhile requires a lot of dedication and HARD work. Ask yourself; "is this what I really want and is it going to be fun for me?" You are young and have plenty of time.
  6. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military
    Nate
    Cathi gave sound advice. Not all glamour but a very rewarding profession. You might contact you PA PGA Section or visit their website. There is a pathway to follow and the site will advise you how to get started.


    https://www.pga.org/education
  7. Deno

    Deno
    New Jersey

    Military

    NHryn said:

    I'm currently a sophmore in highschool and have strongly been considering going to school at a golf management program and becoming a PGA teaching professionals. I have emailed and have had nice convorsations with many PGA professional including Titleist very own Mike Thomas (Justin Thomas's father and caddie). I love golf very much and love all aspects of the game. I would like to know what you guys thoughts are of the career of PGA teaching professional?

    Thank you, Nate




    www.pga.org/.../what-pga-golf-management-university-program
  8. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    Cathi described it perfectly. It's a career that you have to really start from the bottom up. Becoming a teaching professional is a Class A position and there are many steps to go before attaining it. When you're washing golf carts or running a vacuum cleaner on the golf shop floor on a Sunday before closing, it may not seem to glamourous but that's what it is on the way up the ladder.
  9. Tim Cup

    Tim Cup

    I agree with Cathi, I would try and get a after school/summer job at a golf course and get a feel for the pga pro career. My cousin was on his way to becoming a pga pro and decided he liked a career with more free time to play golf and enjoy other hobbies. Also the area you might want to live in needs to have year round weather to play golf or you'll have to have a second career in the winter months.
  10. Brandon P

    Brandon P

    Military
    Some things that are fun stop being fun when they are forced on you. Life lesson I have personally learned.
  11. Paul C

    Paul C
    Beech Mountain, NC

    I worked for six years as an assistant pro at my home course. This was a second career for me after retiring and wanting something fun to do. Excited as I was to get into it, it definitely was not what I expected. Cathi hit it when she mentioned long hours, weekends, and holidays. I enjoyed the teaching aspect, but, in our club it was a very small portion of my time. I also did club repair, custom club work and fittings. A "normal" day started at 6:30AM and ended in my workshop somewhere between 9&10PM with a short dinner break. I've never played less golf in my life and my game suffered. For me, it turned golf into work and I got to see all of the unpleasant side the position can offer. If you have skin the thickness of an elephant and don't mind watching everyone else play it may be for you. I would strongly suggest a Summer job at a course and pick the brains of co-workers before jumping into an expensive PGM program. It is a much more difficult job than it appears and in many places does not pay very well.
  12. Brian M

    Brian M

    Nate,

    I retired this past year and starting working at one of our local area courses in the Pro Shop. I am an avaid golfer and as you, love the game. It has been very interesting to learn the behind the scenes activities of running a golf course. On one hand it is great to be around the course, the game and other golfers all the time, while it can also be quite an effort at times dealing with the public. I strongly recommend following Cathi's advise and get a position at a local course this summer. Tell the head pro what you are thinking to do and I am sure he would be happy to help you. Work on the range, with the carts, in the shop and maybe on the course. Get an idea of his job. I can tell you if you think being a PGA Professional means playing golf, our head pro gets at best 5 - 10 rounds all year. Great career but not great for you game.

    Good luck with you life decision.
  13. NHryn

    NHryn
    Grampian, PA

    Thank you all for everything said. I still have a couple years of high school left to decide but I'm sure everything will work out

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