Working in the golf industry

[DeepRedPhil]

I am looking to find out more about working in the golf industry. As a qualified school teacher (currently enjoying a career break!) I am particularly interested in working with junior golfers but don't have any golfing qualifications (other than a handicap of 8 and 28 years of playing experience!). I am considering doing a course with the World Golf Teaching Federation of Britain and Ireland - does anyone have any advice or experience to share with me about such a course or about such a career change?

 

[madandra]

Welcome in Phil, you are a glutton for punishment. After teaching pesky kids in school you want to teach them in a sport. I doft my cap to you sir. I am aware there are courses you can go on where you become a 'golfing professional' rather than a 'professional golfer' and with a cap of 8 I think a lot of young people could learn from you.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[AdrianC]

If you want to make a living then the only real option is to become PGA Pro and you need to be at least 4 hcap and 3 years training. If you get a training position at a club then you will get minimum wage only.

You can train to teach kids on a volutary basis, the PGA has a Level 1 something or other course that means you can assit a PGA pro in teaching. Have a look at www.pga.info or call their academy.

As for WGTF or there is another one whos name escapes me, meant to be very good but very few clubs will allow you to teach with those qualifications as they are usually run by PGA members and the PGA like to keep it all to themselves.

Good luck

 

[HTL]

DeepRedPhil, whats the name about? (My guess is the Wilson deep red equipment)

Good luck with taking a break from teaching.

 

[DanS]

Are there any exceptions to the qualification route?

Just wondering how top amateurs are able to just decide to turn pro after the Walker cup when others, with low handicaps, have to risk a lot more and give up jobs to work as an assistant pro and get qualified?

 

[viscount17]

I would guess that if you are at Walker Cup level then you have already been talent spotted by a management group -thereafter it's sponsorship.
Two guys I know, both talented golfers, tried it the hard way, Both said it was a lot, lot harder than they expected, especially when you have to pre-qualify for the week-ends comps and there's no pay day for that. Both are now club pro's.

 

[billyg]

Are there any exceptions to the qualification route?

Just wondering how top amateurs are able to just decide to turn pro after the Walker cup when others, with low handicaps, have to risk a lot more and give up jobs to work as an assistant pro and get qualified?

The clue is in the question. Top amateurs are just that (scratch or +players) and have to bear the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune on the turn of a club face. The decision to do so is theirs and theirs alone. Don't forget a newly turned pro will have to fund their travel, accomodation , equipment, clothing and innumerable other costs as sponsorships are a lot more rare than one thinks. Almost no one turns up (including the cameras) to watch John Smith play a second round qualifyer for the Sunny Delight Cup. No visitors, no cameras, invariably- no sponsorship.

The teaching pro on the other hand has a secure (if modest) income, can get the occasional time off to try their hand in qualifying for competitons and in general mitigates some of the risks while creating a window for further professional development.

Often pro golfers will make the smooth transition from the former situation to the latter and back as fortunes and circumstances permit. Bear in mind that a fresh junior teaching pro, fresh out PGA school has nothing on their CV while the senior may have spent years on the Challenge or PGA tours which draws punters to clubs for lessons and memberships. You'll be competing against these guys for club pro positions although I don't know what criteria AG and NB require of their teaching staff.

Some teaching pro's actually run their own concessions from within a club rather than just being a salaried member of staff. The club washes it's hands of the administration and marginal costs of the facility while the pro is able to build a business the success of which is dependant on their own graft, nouce and affability.

This option always strikes me as a good 'medium way' and with a trusty junior pro behind them a pro can both earn a good living, be in touch with the game and keep themselves in the hunt for the big game, so to speak.

Pro's can also earn side money participating in pro-am's which can help things along financially but I have been told that they are a mixed bag. You can find yourself with someone who loves the game and is willing to be led by a bonafide and diligent exponent of the game or an absolute jumped-up t1t whos only interested in outdriving their pro.

Im sure many of us on here harbour a dream of playing in tournaments and jetting around the world to sun kissed tracks for a living but theres a large groundswell of hard grafting and incredibly talented others out there just trying to stay in touch and help others along the way.

I'm not saying it's not reasonable to aspire to such heights but go and talk to your local pro for more than five minutes and you'll find out the industry behind the glamour has cogs that grind just as hard as any other market.

Siggest you get hold of something by Feinstein for a flavour of Q- school in the USA and even that seems relatively galmourous as it skirts over the grit and grind on just getting THAT far.

I have no doubt some of our learned and experienced members might be able to suggest other titles to read or paths to follow( or have followed).

One final thought, if you haven't got a passion for it- walk away. I tried muscling in on the technical side of film and camera work as a clapper loader/ second assistant. Very high profile, rubbing shoulders with well known faces etc. The 75 hour weeks, the job insecurity and the fact I couldn't face working on yet another episode of some half-baked game show or sit com made me realise I just didn't have the passion for it.

 

[AdrianC]

One other thing I was told recently is that over half of PGA qualified pro are now not in the golf industry as there are just no jobs left in it anymore. The PGA is turning out Pro's at a fast rate but with very few jobs available.

Not very encouraging but that is the reality of the golf industry.