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Greetings,
I assume golf instructors or club pros would be checking out this area. What are the steps to becoming a golf instructor and/or club pro. Are these the same thing? Of course I know you have to first be a good golfer (scratch handicap, +5 or so.) I've seen advertisements for three day schools. Is this the qualification necessary to teach? A little insight would be helpful. If someone is one of these, maybe we could PM some ideas. Thanks.

Most cases I think (and I'm not a club pro or anything so I might be wrong) but you have to go take your areas PAT (playing ability test) then once you pass that you're more likely to get a job as an assistant pro somewhere and just like in the real world work your way up to head pro. (this was the short version) I'm sure there are other tests, etc...that have to be taken (written) or whatever before you can become a head pro. It helps to have a degree as well, so you can be familiar somewhat with business, management, marketing, etc...

I know alot of pros in my area, some for several years. And I talk to them about becoming a pro, not that I want to just curiosity. But from talking to these guys they tell me its good to have a background in everything deronsizemore said and of course you need to take the PAT. From what they told me you don't have to shoot low in the tournament part of the PAT at all either, at times its gone as high as the mid-80's. I've also been told some of the pro's joke around saying there are some guys who are on the "PAT tour" basically people who keep trying to become pros but just can't make the cut. I also think there is a cost to take the PAT but I'm not exactly sure what it is.

There are several schools that "certify" teachers. Unfortunately, the industry doesn't really recognize the "certifications" as some are as simple as a home-study course with a small "exam" that you mail in with your check and then you are "certified" to teach the game of golf.

Most good instructors have been apprentices under other instructors. I began my teaching by instructing juniors and beginners in the basics before I was allowed to teach more advanced players. I was also progressing through the PGA GPTP (now PGA University) at the same time.

Most quality facilities require that you pass your PAT before being able to teach (15 strokes over the course rating for TWO rounds). Then you are tested twice through your PGA Training as well as presenting lessons in front of your peers who provide feedback and constructive criticism. After becoming a PGA Professional, continuing education is required and most professionals get those hours through rules seminars and teaching summits since they are the most available.

But as you can see, the only thing that controls who can teach is the facility itself. If they want to hire someone totally unqualified to teach, that is their perogative. This is also why there are many poor instructors among the good instructors. If you are looking for an instructor and golf mechanics is your objective, find an LPGA professional. The LPGA program is much more instruction oriented than the PGA program which is more business oriented. However, for course management and strategy, either a PGA or LPGA Class A professional would be a wonderful fit. This is NOT to say that PGA professionals can't teach, there are many of us who have read everything available on the swing and attended teaching summits with some of the best in the country in order to give the student the best possible instruction we can but you never know who has done that so the LPGA's empasis on instruction insures that when you find an LPGA professional, she has the knowledge of the golf swing.

JC don't you think that 15 over par is a little high, that was my initial thought when I was told that number from one of the pro's I know. I thought it would be less then that, somewhere in the par to 5 over. When I think of a pro, I think of someone who shoots a few over on bad days. Most that I know and play with shoot even or maybe a few over when their having trouble. And they agree that 15 over is a bit high. What do you think about it?

It is NOT 15 over PAR, it is 15 over the Course RATING over TWO rounds. When I took it, you could shoot 155 and pass at the particular course I played. Keep in mind, scoring ability for a WORKING golf professional is NOT an indicator of how good he/she is in playing. I can be down to scratch in about 2-3 weeks of organized practice but right now haven't been practicing/playing and am around 75-80 most of the time but in another month will be down such that 75 is a BAD day coming up to the Heritage Qualifier. My guess on our course rating would be about 74 so to pass the PAT here, one would have to shoot 163 over two rounds.

JC, is it true that if you want to play more golf in your life the best thing to do is NOT get into the golf business?

Jcpgolfpro has great insite, I would just add that the PGA and LPGA also require from 40 to 20 hours of work in a shop as a requirement to joining their organizations.

I know at one of the local courses here, to pass the PAT you must shoot 76 or better for 36 straight holes. Its a par 72 course. So its not nessessarily that easy to pass. I've never taken it but plan to this spring, so we'll see.

must be a course rating of 68.5, because JC's explanation is the way it is

Well I'm mistaken then...I thought the local pro told me 76 both rounds, but evidentelly I'm mistaken. Cause I'm sure the course rating isn't 68. My bad.

Thanks for the responses. Good info. Would it be bad not to have a background in business or a degree? I'm not good enough right now, but I aspire to work in the game of golf. I am currently a 4th class power engineer(not a degree, but a trade/certification). Wondering if I should start by getting a business diploma (2 years) to start. Work on my game during schooling.

I am a Class A PGA professional here in North Texas and have been for the last 19 years. The "business schools" have changed since I became a member, but you still have to pass the PAT(12 over the course rating for 36 holes here), work under a Class A pro for approximately 3 years during which you have to pass the testing. You do get some credits for a college degree depending on a 2 or 4 year degree. There are some schools that you can go to to become a Class A pro like Farris State. The training in the PGA program is much better now and you can get certificates in specialized subjects. jcgolfpro is correct in learning to teach by working under good teachers and studying all of the materials. I don't have much faith in the certification you get from some of the 3 day or week long schools out there. If one of those pros come up against a PGA pro for the same job, the PGA pro will probably get the job. That is what I have seen. A class A PGA pro also has continuing education to keep his status. On top of that, I also have become certified to teach Lever Power Golf which I believe is the ultimate scientific way to play golf including, mechanics, learning, physical fitness, shot game, mental game, and the training aids to make it happen. My current PGA Classification is A-14, Director of Instruction.