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Just curious, what does it take to become a PGA professional and be able to teach golf?

Teaching is something I may be interested in pursuing down the road, was wondering what preparations are necessary to become qualified.

teaching cert i believe..not for sure tho..

You need to take the PAT. Once you pass that then you need to find a job as an apprentice at a golf course then as an assistant pro, and keep working your way up to head pro. That is the short version, it actually takes a lot of time and effort to do it.

couldn't you just promote by word of mouth at your local club? no?

I suppose you could. I guess anyone could technically teach golf, but if you just promote at your local club unless you are some kind of golf legend there you're not likely to get any clients. You want to be recognized by the PGA, that will at least give your clients some confidence that you know what you're talking about.

It would be kinda like saying you design houses as an architect just because you can draw pretty good, but have no formal training or certifications. Probably not going to get to many clients wanting you to design their home.

Most clubs will squash efforts for non-staff members to teach there. Might be able to teach at a stand alone range if you work something out with the owner. I do know if someone attempted to teach at our facility who was A. Not on staff and B. Not a PGA Professional who asked permission, my assistants would be in my office quickly to get me or my permission to go out and find out what was going on. As for promoting lessons at a club where you are not on staff, that is a BIG ethics NO-NO when it comes to golf. Remember, the professionals on staff have worked hard for their positions and usually are not very well paid so lessons are the ONLY way they can make ends meet...

JC is exactly right on this issue. Part of the job that Golf Professionals are hired for is to teach lessons. I don't know any golf pro that would let a member or someone other than the professional staff to give lessons. I cannot believe the disrespect some people have towards golf pros, golf course and the golf business in general.


Don't get me wrong. I think it is great that people are interested in teaching, but please respect the time and effort put forth by Golf Professionals.

AND....

As I've said before, if you want to up and become a golf pro or give lessons. Go find your own golf course to teach at or find a range that will let you teach and come back let us know how well you did. And as JC said it is very UnEtHiCaL to even consider teaching on someone else's "Turf".

**** , its like gangs lol j/k....I didn't know this about golf instructors, I thought someone got certified then advertised and takes clients to local golf courses ranges and teaches them

The "Turf" comment was just being comical with it being golf related.

Basically, its like someone coming to your job or office and taking money away from you or taking clients away from you......in your own office!

I have a degree in Accounting (and have kept up the continuing ed in taxes so am qualified) and someone not on staff teaching golf at our club would be the equivalent of me setting up a desk outside of H&R Block or a CPA's office and expecting to do tax returns...