Jackson Reid
Golf is an individual sport, and becoming a professional golfer is largely dependent on skill. Many golfers start at a young age, which allows them to develop good swing habits and gain experience playing on various courses. Aspiring golfers can join local golf associations, register their handicaps, and participate in amateur tournaments to build their reputation and confidence. To become a PGA of America Golf Professional, individuals can pursue the PGA Associate Program or the PGA Golf Management University Program, which includes coursework, seminars, and a Playing Ability Test to showcase their golfing skills. Additionally, golfers can enter professional tournaments on mini tours and pursue PGA membership to gain access to the PGA Open series. While turning pro in golf can be expensive due to tournament fees and travel costs, it is a lucrative career option with various pathways to success.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Skill level | Consecutively shoot 4 under par or better on a 140 slope rated course |
| Practice time | 30 hours a week |
| Cost | Tournament fees, travel, lodging, day-to-day practice, food, and accommodation |
| Age | No age limit, but starting young is an advantage |
| Education | PGA Associate Program, PGA Golf Management University Program, Foundation degree in Golf Studies, Diploma in Higher Education Golf Studies |
| Membership | PGA, USGA-sanctioned Golfer's Association |
| Tournaments | Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour, local tournaments |
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What You'll Learn
Join a golf club and get a PGA membership
Joining a golf club is a great first step towards turning pro. Every golf club has a Head Professional who manages the course and its employees. This role carries a lot of responsibility and is the most advanced path to becoming a golf pro outside of competing in tournaments.
If you want to become a Head Professional through the PGA, you'll need to complete their PGM Associate Program and become an Associate Professional before climbing through the ranks. The PGA of America is one of the world's largest sports organizations, and becoming a PGA of America Golf Professional is open to anyone. However, there is some hard work and several requirements to meet before you can get that "PGA" status.
Aspiring Golf Professionals can go through the PGA Associate Program or the PGA Golf Management University Program. The first option is a self-paced, award-winning Professional Golf Management (PGM) education curriculum that requires you to work at a golf course. You'll need to pass a background check and then complete the Qualifying Level, which is an introduction to becoming a PGA of America Golf Professional. After this, you'll go through three levels of coursework, attend seminars in Frisco, Texas, and eventually choose a career track.
The second option, the University Program, is geared towards those seeking a traditional college experience, where you can obtain a degree in Golf Studies or Professional Golf.
Regardless of the path chosen, you'll have eight years to pass the Playing Ability Test (PAT) after entering the Associate or University Program. This test is a great way to prove your skill in the sport, although it's not required to enter tournaments and get noticed.
In summary, joining a golf club and obtaining a PGA membership are crucial steps towards turning pro. It's important to note that becoming a golf professional requires a high level of skill and dedication to your development as a player.
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Enter PGA Open series tournaments
Entering PGA Open series tournaments is a popular route to becoming a golf professional in the UK. The PGA Tour is the world's largest professional golf tournament organiser, so it makes sense for aspiring golfers to aim for this level of competition.
The PGA Associate Program is a go-at-your-own-pace curriculum that requires you to work at a golf course. You'll need to pass a background check, then you're off to the Qualifying Level, an introduction to being a PGA of America Golf Professional. Once you pass that, you'll attend seminars at the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas, and eventually choose a career track.
The PGA Golf Management University Program is more geared towards those seeking a traditional college experience. After entering the Associate or University Program, you'll have eight years to pass the PAT (a test of your skill in the sport). You'll then complete three levels of education, choosing between Golf Operations, Executive Management, and Teaching & Coaching.
The PGA of America also offers consultations for those who are not yet working in golf but want to get started.
In the UK, most PGA Open series tournaments have a £100 registration fee and a £20,000 prize fund.
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Gain a PGA qualification
Gaining a PGA qualification is a popular route to becoming a golf professional in the UK. The PGA offers flexible, part-time courses for those already working in the golf industry, as well as a full-time degree to address the varied demands of the golf industry. The PGA qualification is a prestigious mark of golfing credibility recognised in over 80 different job roles worldwide.
The PGA Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program and the PGA Golf Management University Program are the two main routes to becoming a PGA member and PGA professional. The PGM Program is a go-at-your-own-pace curriculum that requires you to work at a golf course. After a background check, you move on to the Qualifying Level, which is an introduction to being a PGA of America Golf Professional. This is followed by three levels of coursework and seminars at the Home of the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas. The University Program, on the other hand, is geared towards those seeking a traditional college experience, offering extensive classroom courses, internships, and player development opportunities. It is offered at 18 universities across the US and allows students to earn degrees in various fields related to the golf industry.
The PGA offers foundation, diploma, and degree programmes in golf studies. The foundation degree can be converted into a BSc (Hons) in Professional Golf Studies, while the diploma can be upgraded to a BA in Professional Golf. These courses are completed over three years on a part-time basis, with trainees studying and working at a golf facility under the guidance of a PGA Training Professional. The University Program, meanwhile, typically takes four to five years to complete.
The PGA qualification process includes the Player Ability Test (PAT), which must be passed within eight years of applying for PGA membership. The PAT involves posting a 36-hole score within 15 shots of the current course rating, and it is conducted in one day.
Overall, gaining a PGA qualification can be a lengthy process, but it offers a prestigious and flexible route into the golf industry, providing a strong foundation for various career paths.
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Get sponsored
Sponsorships are a key part of the golf world, with companies sponsoring individual players, tournaments, and events. There are a few ways to get sponsored in the world of golf, and it can be a lucrative deal for both parties.
For individual golfers, sponsorship deals can be very valuable, but it is a competitive market. The key currency is a multi-year agreement, which may have upfront sign-on fees. These deals can be worth seven figures, but it is not just about skill with the clubs. Sponsors want logo placement, and the most valuable real estate is the front of the hat, the right side of the hat, and the right sleeve. So, a golfer with a unique style, or a large following, may be more attractive to sponsors. Nike, for example, pays a premium to be the only logo on a player, and they will pay more for those rights.
Golf tournaments and events are also often sponsored, and this is a great way to get a brand on the radar of affluent, influential members of the community. Golf tournaments offer high engagement with an affluent audience of golfers, and the golfer audience is a desirable marketing target. Over 50% of golfers are between 25 and 55, the age group with the most spending power. Businesses that sponsor charity golf tournaments benefit from increased customer loyalty and positive brand recognition, as well as the chance to network and build community relationships.
To get sponsored, golfers or tournament organisers need to pitch to businesses. It is important to know who to ask and how to ask them. Target local businesses with wealthy clientele, as well as regional and national companies with a presence in the area. Food and beverage companies, for example, might be a good fit, as golfers frequent local dining spots. Also, businesses that cater to other businesses, or financial services professionals, may be a good target, as building personal connections is important to them. Travel services are another good prospect, as golfers tend to take a lot of vacations.
It is also crucial to define your objectives and target audience before reaching out to sponsors. Understand your fundraising goals and how sponsors will benefit from working with you. Be creative, too. Sponsors want to stand out, so think of innovative ways to showcase their brand, such as themed holes, games, or challenges.
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Start young
Starting young is a significant advantage when it comes to becoming a professional golfer. Most competitors on tour have been golfing since they were very young, some even as young as 2 years old! Starting early allows you to develop muscle memory and good habits, which are crucial in golf.
Junior golfers who start young get to experience a variety of golf courses and swing pathways. They also get the opportunity to play in junior tournaments, which can help them build a name and reputation for themselves without the pressures of money or a tour card. These early experiences can shape their knowledge and mental game as they progress.
If you're starting young, it's important to get involved with your local golf community. Join your local USGA-sanctioned Golfer's Association, register your handicap, and start participating in local amateur tournaments. These tournaments are a great way to gain experience, build your confidence, and get noticed. They usually cost around $85 to $200 to enter. Remember to maintain your amateur status while competing in these events, as it's important to learn the ropes and build a solid foundation before turning pro.
While starting young can give you a head start, it's just the first step. To become a professional golfer, you'll need serious dedication, hard work, and full-time focus. Consider pursuing golf-related education, such as the PGA Associate Program or a degree in Golf Studies, to enhance your skills and network with others in the industry. Remember, becoming a professional golfer requires a high level of skill, a strong network, and a deep passion for the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
The term golf pro can refer to both professional golfers and those who work in the business side of golf. Golf pros can be involved in teaching or playing golf at a professional level.
There are various pathways to becoming a golf pro. Many golfers start playing competitively at a young age, which allows them to develop good swing habits and gain experience playing in junior tournaments. Some golfers become golf professionals before transitioning to professional golfers, while others start as amateurs and rely on their talent to get noticed.
To become a PGA of America Golf Professional, you can complete the PGA Associate Program or the PGA Golf Management University Program. The former is a flexible, award-winning curriculum that requires you to work at a golf course, while the latter combines a degree with internships and takes 4.5 to 5 years to complete. Both options require passing a background check and the Playing Ability Test (PAT), which involves completing two rounds of golf (36 holes) with scores equal to or lower than the course rating for 36 holes, plus 15.
Turning pro in golf requires a significant financial investment. Tournament fees can be expensive, and there are additional costs for travel, lodging, practice facilities, and living expenses. Sponsorship can help offset these costs. In the UK, becoming a PGA member and entering the PGA Open series typically involves a £100 registration fee, with the potential for a £20,000 prize fund.
