Ava Romero
Golf is an expensive sport to play and turning professional is no different. There are several routes to becoming a professional golfer, but only a tiny fraction of golfers make it. One route is to become a PGA member and enter the PGA Open series, which usually has a £100 registration fee and a £20,000 prize fund. Another is to sign up for a professional tournament on a mini tour and simply declare yourself a professional. However, to make it as a pro golfer, you'll need to be able to compete with the tour standard.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Becoming a professional golfer is very difficult, with only one out of 51,346 becoming a professional golfer in the United States. |
| Age | Age is not a hurdle, as there have been many late bloomers. For example, U.S. golfer Allen Doyle turned pro at 46. |
| College education | College education is not necessary to become a professional golfer. However, the US College system gives amateur golfers a pathway to pro tours. |
| Cost | Golf is an expensive sport, and turning pro requires significant financial investment in tournament fees, travel, and lodging. |
| Skill | Pros average fewer putts per round and are able to score low, with a massive gap between the top pros and the average amateur. |
| PGA membership | Becoming a PGA member is the easiest transition into professional events in the UK. |
| Sponsorship | Sponsorship can help cover the costs of turning pro. |
| Alternative pathways | Golf professionals can also work in the business or management side of golf, teaching or coaching amateur or professional golfers. |
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What You'll Learn
The difference between a golf professional and a professional golfer
Turning golf professional is a dream for many, but what does it actually mean to be a golf professional or a professional golfer?
A golf professional is a broad term for someone who works in the golf industry. This could be as a coach, director of instruction, or even a writer. These individuals are often employed by golf clubs or academies and their primary duties revolve around the operation and management of the club, as well as teaching the game. They may also be involved in directing tournament operations. Golf professionals do not necessarily play the game for a living, and their focus is not solely on practicing and playing golf.
On the other hand, a professional golfer is someone who earns their livelihood by playing tournament golf. They are independent contractors, and their primary concern is their game. Professional golfers make their living from a combination of prize money and endorsements. The distinction between amateur and professional golfers is rigorously maintained, and an amateur must not breach the rules of amateur status, or they may lose that status.
It is important to note that the path to becoming a professional golfer is challenging. According to the Professional Athlete Index, only one out of 51,346 golfers becomes a professional golfer in the United States, and breaking into the industry often requires significant financial investment.
While the terms "golf professional" and "professional golfer" are technically different, they are sometimes used interchangeably by golfers and in the media. Ultimately, both roles contribute to the golf industry, whether it be through teaching and managing the game or competing in tournaments.
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How to get certified as a golf professional
To become a certified golf professional, there are several steps to take. Firstly, you must complete a background check, which it is your responsibility to schedule and pay for. Next, you must gain experience in a golf-related field, such as working as a golf assistant, golf media associate, or golf coach, for at least six months.
Once you have completed these steps, you can apply for the PGA Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program or the PGA Golf Management University Program. The PGM Program involves reviewing four qualifying courses: Introduction to the PGA PGM Program, PGA Constitution, Introduction to the Rules of Golf, and Career Enhancement, alongside accompanying quizzes. The University Program is offered at 18 universities across the US and provides extensive classroom courses, internships, and player development opportunities, alongside a degree in a relevant subject such as Marketing or Business Administration.
The final step to becoming a certified golf professional is to pass the Player Ability Test (PAT). This involves playing 36 holes of golf within 15 shots of the current course rating.
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The PGA Tour and other professional golf tours
The PGA Tour is a separate organisation for tour players, established in 1968, which runs most of the week-to-week professional golf events. These include The Players Championship, the FedEx Cup, and the biennial Presidents Cup. The remaining events are run by other organisations, such as the LPGA Tour for women.
The PGA Tour is the first-tier tour in the United States, offering a significant amount of prize money each season. The PGA Tour is also involved in organising other tours, such as the Korn Ferry Tour, the PGA Tour Champions, the LPGA Tour, and the PGA Tour University.
Golfers can become members of the PGA Tour by succeeding in an entry tournament, usually called a Qualifying School (Q-School), or by achieving notable success in tournaments as an invited non-member. It is also possible to gain membership by having enough notable achievements on other tours.
There are many other professional golf tours around the world, including the European Tour, the LPGA Tour, the Sunshine Tour, the Japan Golf Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Asian Tour, and the OneAsia Tour. These tours vary in terms of financial rewards and the number of tournaments offered.
While it is difficult to reach the professional level in golf, it is possible to turn pro without attending golf college. One way to do this is to sign up for a professional tournament and register as a professional. However, it is important to consider the financial costs of tournament fees, travel, and lodging.
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How to get noticed as an amateur
Golf is an expensive sport, and turning professional can be a high-risk investment. However, if you are a talented amateur golfer looking to get noticed, there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of success.
Firstly, focus on dominating amateur competitions. Progressing through the ranks of local and regional tournaments will help you get noticed and potentially lead to invitations to more prestigious events. Building a strong reputation at this level is crucial. You can also consider entering Monday qualifiers or seeking sponsor exemptions to gain entry into PGA Tour events.
Secondly, utilise social media to build your brand and document your journey. Post engaging content and showcase your skills to attract attention from potential sponsors and followers. Building a personal brand can be a powerful way to stand out and create opportunities.
Thirdly, gaining a PGA qualification is a popular route to becoming a golf professional, especially in the UK, as their degree programmes are highly respected worldwide. Consider enrolling in a PGA golf management university program or pursuing a foundation degree in Golf Studies, which can lead to further qualifications in Professional Golf Studies.
Finally, remember that talent and dedication are key. You need to be extremely driven and prepared to make sacrifices to reach the professional level. Work on continuously improving your game, and consider seeking out coaching or instruction to refine your skills.
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of getting noticed as an amateur golfer and taking your career to the professional level.
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The costs of turning pro
Golf may be the easiest sport in which to turn pro, but it's certainly not cheap. While there are multiple pathways to becoming a professional golfer, the costs of playing each week quickly add up.
Firstly, there are the tournament fees, which are not inexpensive. Then, you need to factor in travel and accommodation expenses, as well as the cost of daily practice and general living expenses like food. According to PGA Tour player Ben Griffin, he budgets around $500-$1500 for flights, $1200-$1500 for hotels, and $500 for food per week.
On top of that, you'll need to hire a caddie, which can cost upwards of $2000 per week, plus a percentage of your earnings. And don't forget about other miscellaneous costs like fuel and tips, which can easily reach $500.
It's important to remember that these costs are ongoing and need to be covered week after week. Unless you have a sponsor footing some of these bills, it can be challenging to keep up with the financial demands of a professional golf career.
While there are financial benefits to being a top-performing pro, for most players, it's a costly endeavour with no guarantee of returns.
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Frequently asked questions
The term “golf pro” is often used interchangeably to refer to both professional golfers and those who work within the business side of golf. However, it's widely accepted that there is a difference between golf professionals and professional golfers. Golf professionals typically work in the business or management side of golf, teaching or coaching amateur or professional golfers. Professional golfers, on the other hand, compete in high-profile tournaments like the Masters and the PGA Tour.
To become a golf professional, one must complete the requirements to become certified by the Professional Golfer's Association (PGA) or their home country's equivalent. This typically involves working in a golf-related field for at least six months, passing qualifying courses, and completing a player ability test. Golf professionals often manage golf courses, provide lessons to golfers, and run pro shops.
Becoming a professional golfer is a challenging pursuit. It involves a combination of skill and dedication, and sometimes luck. One common path is to excel in amateur tournaments, gain recognition, and then turn professional. Another route is to attend a golf college, which can provide a pathway to pro tours. Additionally, some golfers turn professional by signing up for a professional tournament and declaring themselves as professionals.
The odds of becoming a professional golfer are slim, with only one out of 51,346 golfers achieving this status in the United States, according to the Professional Athlete Index. Golf is an expensive sport, and turning professional requires significant financial investment in tournament fees, travel, lodging, and practice expenses. Additionally, the competition is fierce, with younger players entering the scene earlier and raising the bar for performance.
Golf professionals focus on the business, management, and instructional aspects of golf. They may work as coaches, directors of instruction, golf writers, or in various other roles within the golf industry. Professional golfers, on the other hand, make a living by playing golf at the highest level. They compete in prestigious tournaments, strive for rankings, and aim for sponsorship deals.
