Hey Tmag

[WildCatGolfer17]

Well I have been tossing ideas around for school and careers. Well I cant leave golf, but I had a thought about working as a PGA pro, I know the gist of everything, but I was wondering is it really worth it?
And I was told it can take almost 3 years...

Physics isnt for me, I rather be outside hitting golfballs, and teaching people a great game.

I also thought about somethign in business but thats another story. I am only 18 and thats the only thing holding me back.. is going " PRO " to early.

[JEFF4i]

It isn't easy. Also, bear in mind, you may think you'll golf more, but you probably won't. You have to give lessons, take classes, and some various other things continiously. Now, if you want to do it, go for it.

I'm sure others can elaborate better, but this isn't a walk in the park.

[BStone]

Well, the process can be long, but it depends on how much effort you want to put into completing the book work that you need to do. I was able to complete my apprenticeship in two years and got elected as a full class A member. There are many, many long days and weeks that go into getting fully certified, I can remember 70 to 80 hour weeks, in at dawn and leaving after dark, but I look back on it and think that it was well worth it.

The first step if you really do want to become a PGA Professional is to pass your Playing Ability Test, you need to come within 5 shots of passing before beginning the book (obviously you then need to pass the test before getting involved in the program fully).

There are other roads to becoming a teaching pro as well, there are other organizations that certify people as teachers, but you will not be able to play in any PGA Assistant Pro, Club Pro, or sectional events if you are not a PGA Pro.

The PGCC is also a good way to go about it, they focus heavily on the PAT until you pass it, but after that, you are taught many different aspects that you would need to run a pro shop. They also have administrative courses for those who are looking to become involved in other aspects of the game (USGA officials, Administrative positions, etc.).

[BStone]

Originally Posted by JEFF4i

It isn't easy. Also, bear in mind, you may think you'll golf more, but you probably won't. You have to give lessons, take classes, and some various other things continiously. Now, if you want to do it, go for it.

I'm sure others can elaborate better, but this isn't a walk in the park.

As Jeff has stated here, you don't play nearly as much as you may think. As an assistant pro, I was lucky to get 18 holes in a week (mainly because I taught extra lessons to help pay the bills). At this point, I am able to play much more than before, usually get 9 holes in at night two to three times a week and then 18 in on my day off (not counting any of the sectional events that I play).

The other aspect that I forgot to mention is that the hardest part of working at a course is having several hundred bosses. The membership is who decides whether or not you are doing a good job, and there is no way to make all of them happy. For every person you make happy by changing something, someone else will want it back the way that it was, you need to be able to handle these situations to have any chance of surviving in the business.

[RickinMA]

what's the average club pro make? I have absolutely no idea

[WildCatGolfer17]

Wow, thanks for the information. So much easier to ask someone that has done it, than trying to find answers online.
And I knew about the PAT, and Im actually not worried about that at all. There was one of them 2 months ago here, local Muny course, and it said 77 or better.. and a week after that i shot 75-76 so I was happy. And Honestly, I dont mind the long hours, if its golf related I dont mind doing it.

When its Kinimatics trying to find the force of friction needed to slow the brake rotors as to not have it rotate more than 360*'s 5 times well.. screw that..

[WildCatGolfer17]

Originally Posted by RickinMA

what's the average club pro make? I have absolutely no idea

It all depends on how good you are as an instructor, roughly where you are and how long, and how long you work. But ive been told anywhere from $50,000-$150,000+ but those are the sought after instructors i would imagine at $150,000

HEY Tmag, How much do you charge for a session, and how long do they last.. not trying to sound perverted lol

[BStone]

Originally Posted by WildCatGolfer17

HEY Tmag, How much do you charge for a session, and how long do they last.. not trying to sound perverted lol

It depends, we actually have different rates for each instructor, lessons with the assistant pros are less expensive, $75 an hour, they can pre pay for 5 sessions and it is $300. I charge $100 an hour since I am the head pro, I don't teach as much since I have the shop and the day to day business of the course to worry about. I charge $175 for a playing lesson.

[15andlife]

TMag, I was thinking about doing this same thing and I really want too. I want to take it throught the PGM Program thats available at some schools. The only question I have is how many job opprotunities are there? I was looking at either a Class A Teaching Pro or maybe a Sales Rep. These are all 4 and a half year programs. Once i pass (if i passed) how hard would it be to get a job in one of these fields? Thanks.

[Youngun5]

Originally Posted by 15andlife

TMag, I was thinking about doing this same thing and I really want too. I want to take it throught the PGM Program thats available at some schools. The only question I have is how many job opprotunities are there? I was looking at either a Class A Teaching Pro or maybe a Sales Rep. These are all 4 and a half year programs. Once i pass (if i passed) how hard would it be to get a job in one of these fields? Thanks.

that's the route i'm going. if you go through the PGM program and are decent you're pretty set to go from what i've heard

[WildCatGolfer17]

So TMag, at $100-$175 per, and how many do you do a year do you think? I dont want to right out and ask you what you make.. but I kinda would like to know if I was close what somepeople told me.

[Jules150]

Seeing those prices just makes me appercaite even more the bargain i get for $20 a half hour.

[WildCatGolfer17]

Yes I can get some lessons from a PGA certified guy like Tmag, but Im sure Tmag has a good rep, and also works at a good golf course. Which just makes it more money.. I wish he would come back and answer the last 2 questions lol

[Crossfire]

WCG,

I attend PGCC, While it is not accreddited for the pga program, the classes certainly will help with the book work. Tmag is write, passing your pat is at the forefront here, I probably hit over 1000 balls a week, in addition to playing sometimes 6 days a week. Another reason for considering a place like this, its now what you know, its who you know. This school is an excellent place for getting sales reps to look at you, placing you as a asst pro, and giving good referances. Any questions, PM me i'll be happy to tell you what its like.

[Crossfire]

Also, If i remember correctly, Tmag makes more then the norm. I think ive had this conversation with him before. I was told by my placement director, as an asst pro I can look to make about 30-35k down south and 40k+ up north. That is obviously including lessons and such.