53 replies to this topic

[freddy1682]

Not a chance of making $50k as an assistant.  And no offense, if you can't break 80 on a muni from the blue tees, you shouldn't be a pro.  I don't mean to burst your bubble, but that's just the way it is.  I think somebody earlier in the thread mentioned the PAT.  Generally speaking, you better be able to fire 75 at any given time to even think about becoming a pro.  Just my two cents.

[freddy1682]

rockinar, on 22 October 2012 - 12:24 AM, said:

Frankie Lob Wedge, on 21 October 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

  I asked about the pay and they said asst club pro starts at $50,000 plus tips.

Once you become club pro you can make a lot more.  Some of their students are pulling down a quarter million.  Some of the wealthier club members will pay them extra for lessons.

The odds of you going from this school, straight to a fancy country club making $50K- $250K a year, is between slim and none. They are selling you dreams. If it was that easy, everyone would do it. This is the same as all those mechanical technical schools like UTI that tell you that you can get a job turning wrenches on a NASCAR team with the likes of Dale Earnhardt upon graduation. It just does not work like that. The odds are you will be working at Golfsmith, Golf Galaxy or Dicks. You might get a job at some local muni giving lessons for $10/hr. If this does not appeal to you, don't do it. I also call BS on any head pros making $250K a year. Maybe $50K. Maybe a little higher at more exclusive clubs.

If you want to make $250K a year in the golf business, open a golf school with $25K admission and tell the students they will be making $250K a year at a fancy country club upon graduation. That's the only way you will be making $250K by shooting mid 90s.

This is not entirely true.  There are HP jobs out there that pay $250k plus.  They are very few and far between, granted.  But they are certainly out there.

[freddy1682]

Oilman83, on 02 November 2012 - 08:10 AM, said:

Frankie Lob Wedge, on 21 October 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

I had been getting lots of banner ads on web sites for technical colleges for the golf industry.  I am in my mid to late 40s and shoot in the low to mid 90s from the blue tees at my muni.

I was considering a career change and called one of these golf colleges for a career in golf.  The school is 18 months and $25,000 but you can get financial aid.  They said they can place graduating students at private clubs usually as assistant pros to start.  They also said their teaching methods have helped students become pros at private clubs.  I asked about the pay and they said asst club pro starts at $50,000 plus tips.

Once you become club pro you can make a lot more.  Some of their students are pulling down a quarter million.  Some of the wealthier club members will pay them extra for lessons.

The schools said the private clubs they deal with are usually are at resorts so an apartment, lunches and green fees are usually thrown in. I am really tempted but it sounds too good to be true.  They said they can help me get my game into the low 80s which is good enough to teach.   I asked them if they guaranteed that and they said yes.  I am not sure what to do.

Listen to me buddy. The assistant pro at my country club went to the professional golf career college and he said its a joke. When you so call graduate the PGA of America does not even recognize the certificate. I also had friends of mine that graduated in the PGM program at Miss State University in which when the finish the four year degree (bachelors) they are Class A professionals. These guys still will not be hired at most courses due to the fact they have NO experience. Your best bet would be to find an open position at a club, say like an outside staff. Get your game to where you can shoot about 78 or so and then take the PAT. The PAT will cost you $100 or so. Remember once you take the PAT and pass you become a (professional) according to the PGA of America. This means you can not participate in an amateur events and if you chose not to be a professional in your career you must reinstate you amateur status (which is a pain in the a**). Once you pass the PAT try to get in the current club your at or maybe a club that is hiring a second or third assistant. As a assistant you will probably start off somewhere around $20-25K a year plus the following: meals at the club, lessons, tips, holiday bonuses, and staff deals with certain club manufacturers.

While you are an assistant you order all of your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level PGA books. You are only able to complete one level per year in which you must go to Orlando, FL to take the test. So go ahead and figure yourself an assitant for a minimal of four years. Each level you finish your are considered as an apprentice, C, B, and then A. After A you can be considered like a Master professional but thats usually like 20+ years in the business. Once your an A class pro, clubs will consider you to be eligible for a head golf professional.

What you need to do is figure out if a minimum of five years is worth the squeeze. Also depending on the club you find a job at, you can determine how much you make by marketing yourself.

Hope this helps!

This is good info, and mostly accurate.  The PGM program has changed, in that you test at a testing center locally now, however you still need to go to Florida for seminars and classes.  And FYI, it's Port St. Lucie, not Orlando.  Nowhere near as much fun as Orlando.

[Oilman83]

hoganfan924, on 02 November 2012 - 08:42 AM, said:

Oilman83, on 02 November 2012 - 08:10 AM, said:

Frankie Lob Wedge, on 21 October 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

I had been getting lots of banner ads on web sites for technical colleges for the golf industry.  I am in my mid to late 40s and shoot in the low to mid 90s from the blue tees at my muni.

I was considering a career change and called one of these golf colleges for a career in golf.  The school is 18 months and $25,000 but you can get financial aid.  They said they can place graduating students at private clubs usually as assistant pros to start.  They also said their teaching methods have helped students become pros at private clubs.  I asked about the pay and they said asst club pro starts at $50,000 plus tips.

Once you become club pro you can make a lot more.  Some of their students are pulling down a quarter million.  Some of the wealthier club members will pay them extra for lessons.

The schools said the private clubs they deal with are usually are at resorts so an apartment, lunches and green fees are usually thrown in. I am really tempted but it sounds too good to be true.  They said they can help me get my game into the low 80s which is good enough to teach.   I asked them if they guaranteed that and they said yes.  I am not sure what to do.

Listen to me buddy. The assistant pro at my country club went to the professional golf career college and he said its a joke. When you so call graduate the PGA of America does not even recognize the certificate. I also had friends of mine that graduated in the PGM program at Miss State University in which when the finish the four year degree (bachelors) they are Class A professionals. These guys still will not be hired at most courses due to the fact they have NO experience. Your best bet would be to find an open position at a club, say like an outside staff. Get your game to where you can shoot about 78 or so and then take the PAT. The PAT will cost you $100 or so. Remember once you take the PAT and pass you become a (professional) according to the PGA of America. This means you can not participate in an amateur events and if you chose not to be a professional in your career you must reinstate you amateur status (which is a pain in the a**). Once you pass the PAT try to get in the current club your at or maybe a club that is hiring a second or third assistant. As a assistant you will probably start off somewhere around $20-25K a year plus the following: meals at the club, lessons, tips, holiday bonuses, and staff deals with certain club manufacturers.

While you are an assistant you order all of your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level PGA books. You are only able to complete one level per year in which you must go to Orlando, FL to take the test. So go ahead and figure yourself an assitant for a minimal of four years. Each level you finish your are considered as an apprentice, C, B, and then A. After A you can be considered like a Master professional but thats usually like 20+ years in the business. Once your an A class pro, clubs will consider you to be eligible for a head golf professional.

What you need to do is figure out if a minimum of five years is worth the squeeze. Also depending on the club you find a job at, you can determine how much you make by marketing yourself.

Hope this helps!

Decision 2-1/9 states otherwise.  Taking the PAT does not make you a professional according to the USGA.  So this should never be a concern to the amateur wishing to take it.

Sorry for that. Once you enroll yourself in the program you are now considered a professional. Thanks for the correction!

[freddy1682]

Oilman83, on 02 November 2012 - 08:10 AM, said:

Frankie Lob Wedge, on 21 October 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

I had been getting lots of banner ads on web sites for technical colleges for the golf industry.  I am in my mid to late 40s and shoot in the low to mid 90s from the blue tees at my muni.

I was considering a career change and called one of these golf colleges for a career in golf.  The school is 18 months and $25,000 but you can get financial aid.  They said they can place graduating students at private clubs usually as assistant pros to start.  They also said their teaching methods have helped students become pros at private clubs.  I asked about the pay and they said asst club pro starts at $50,000 plus tips.

Once you become club pro you can make a lot more.  Some of their students are pulling down a quarter million.  Some of the wealthier club members will pay them extra for lessons.

The schools said the private clubs they deal with are usually are at resorts so an apartment, lunches and green fees are usually thrown in. I am really tempted but it sounds too good to be true.  They said they can help me get my game into the low 80s which is good enough to teach.   I asked them if they guaranteed that and they said yes.  I am not sure what to do.

Listen to me buddy. The assistant pro at my country club went to the professional golf career college and he said its a joke. When you so call graduate the PGA of America does not even recognize the certificate. I also had friends of mine that graduated in the PGM program at Miss State University in which when the finish the four year degree (bachelors) they are Class A professionals. These guys still will not be hired at most courses due to the fact they have NO experience. Your best bet would be to find an open position at a club, say like an outside staff. Get your game to where you can shoot about 78 or so and then take the PAT. The PAT will cost you $100 or so. Remember once you take the PAT and pass you become a (professional) according to the PGA of America. This means you can not participate in an amateur events and if you chose not to be a professional in your career you must reinstate you amateur status (which is a pain in the a**). Once you pass the PAT try to get in the current club your at or maybe a club that is hiring a second or third assistant. As a assistant you will probably start off somewhere around $20-25K a year plus the following: meals at the club, lessons, tips, holiday bonuses, and staff deals with certain club manufacturers.

While you are an assistant you order all of your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level PGA books. You are only able to complete one level per year in which you must go to Orlando, FL to take the test. So go ahead and figure yourself an assitant for a minimal of four years. Each level you finish your are considered as an apprentice, C, B, and then A. After A you can be considered like a Master professional but thats usually like 20+ years in the business. Once your an A class pro, clubs will consider you to be eligible for a head golf professional.

What you need to do is figure out if a minimum of five years is worth the squeeze. Also depending on the club you find a job at, you can determine how much you make by marketing yourself.

Hope this helps!

Sorry, I read this a little closer, and it's not really accurate.  You advance through 3 levels of apprenticeship, after which you obtain your Class A status.  Master Professional is another classification entirely.  That takes 8-10 years to complete, and it's the equivalent of getting a PhD.  While it is very likely that clubs would be looking for a Class A to be their HP, it is not a requirement.  There are plenty of Apprentice HP's out there.

The PGM program takes anywhere from 3-5 years on average to complete.  It's totally dependent on how fast you want to complete it, as it is a self-study program.  Some people take much longer, and as someone posted earlier, the drop out rate is extremely high.  I don't mean to harp on this too much, but as a Class A myself, I want to make sure that accurate information is out there about the process.

[tmfool]

1st step must be pass PAT

once that is done you have options --  none of which are get rich quick

[J.W.]

freddy1682, on 02 November 2012 - 09:19 AM, said:

Oilman83, on 02 November 2012 - 08:10 AM, said:

Frankie Lob Wedge, on 21 October 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

I had been getting lots of banner ads on web sites for technical colleges for the golf industry.  I am in my mid to late 40s and shoot in the low to mid 90s from the blue tees at my muni.

I was considering a career change and called one of these golf colleges for a career in golf.  The school is 18 months and $25,000 but you can get financial aid.  They said they can place graduating students at private clubs usually as assistant pros to start.  They also said their teaching methods have helped students become pros at private clubs.  I asked about the pay and they said asst club pro starts at $50,000 plus tips.

Once you become club pro you can make a lot more.  Some of their students are pulling down a quarter million.  Some of the wealthier club members will pay them extra for lessons.

The schools said the private clubs they deal with are usually are at resorts so an apartment, lunches and green fees are usually thrown in. I am really tempted but it sounds too good to be true.  They said they can help me get my game into the low 80s which is good enough to teach.   I asked them if they guaranteed that and they said yes.  I am not sure what to do.

Listen to me buddy. The assistant pro at my country club went to the professional golf career college and he said its a joke. When you so call graduate the PGA of America does not even recognize the certificate. I also had friends of mine that graduated in the PGM program at Miss State University in which when the finish the four year degree (bachelors) they are Class A professionals. These guys still will not be hired at most courses due to the fact they have NO experience. Your best bet would be to find an open position at a club, say like an outside staff. Get your game to where you can shoot about 78 or so and then take the PAT. The PAT will cost you $100 or so. Remember once you take the PAT and pass you become a (professional) according to the PGA of America. This means you can not participate in an amateur events and if you chose not to be a professional in your career you must reinstate you amateur status (which is a pain in the a**). Once you pass the PAT try to get in the current club your at or maybe a club that is hiring a second or third assistant. As a assistant you will probably start off somewhere around $20-25K a year plus the following: meals at the club, lessons, tips, holiday bonuses, and staff deals with certain club manufacturers.

While you are an assistant you order all of your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level PGA books. You are only able to complete one level per year in which you must go to Orlando, FL to take the test. So go ahead and figure yourself an assitant for a minimal of four years. Each level you finish your are considered as an apprentice, C, B, and then A. After A you can be considered like a Master professional but thats usually like 20+ years in the business. Once your an A class pro, clubs will consider you to be eligible for a head golf professional.

What you need to do is figure out if a minimum of five years is worth the squeeze. Also depending on the club you find a job at, you can determine how much you make by marketing yourself.

Hope this helps!

This is good info, and mostly accurate.  The PGM program has changed, in that you test at a testing center locally now, however you still need to go to Florida for seminars and classes.  And FYI, it's Port St. Lucie, not Orlando.  Nowhere near as much fun as Orlando.

What are you talking about, Duffy's isn't fun???

[golfpros1]

just take the PAT and shatter your dreams quickly.  others less fortunate pass it.

[Oilman83]

You could go take the PAT locally now and see what you have to shoot in your area. In Louisiana the assistants have to shoot around 77-79 is what I was told by our assistant.

[Oilman83]

freddy1682, on 02 November 2012 - 09:55 AM, said:

Oilman83, on 02 November 2012 - 08:10 AM, said:

Frankie Lob Wedge, on 21 October 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

I had been getting lots of banner ads on web sites for technical colleges for the golf industry.  I am in my mid to late 40s and shoot in the low to mid 90s from the blue tees at my muni.

I was considering a career change and called one of these golf colleges for a career in golf.  The school is 18 months and $25,000 but you can get financial aid.  They said they can place graduating students at private clubs usually as assistant pros to start.  They also said their teaching methods have helped students become pros at private clubs.  I asked about the pay and they said asst club pro starts at $50,000 plus tips.

Once you become club pro you can make a lot more.  Some of their students are pulling down a quarter million.  Some of the wealthier club members will pay them extra for lessons.

The schools said the private clubs they deal with are usually are at resorts so an apartment, lunches and green fees are usually thrown in. I am really tempted but it sounds too good to be true.  They said they can help me get my game into the low 80s which is good enough to teach.   I asked them if they guaranteed that and they said yes.  I am not sure what to do.

Listen to me buddy. The assistant pro at my country club went to the professional golf career college and he said its a joke. When you so call graduate the PGA of America does not even recognize the certificate. I also had friends of mine that graduated in the PGM program at Miss State University in which when the finish the four year degree (bachelors) they are Class A professionals. These guys still will not be hired at most courses due to the fact they have NO experience. Your best bet would be to find an open position at a club, say like an outside staff. Get your game to where you can shoot about 78 or so and then take the PAT. The PAT will cost you $100 or so. Remember once you take the PAT and pass you become a (professional) according to the PGA of America. This means you can not participate in an amateur events and if you chose not to be a professional in your career you must reinstate you amateur status (which is a pain in the a**). Once you pass the PAT try to get in the current club your at or maybe a club that is hiring a second or third assistant. As a assistant you will probably start off somewhere around $20-25K a year plus the following: meals at the club, lessons, tips, holiday bonuses, and staff deals with certain club manufacturers.

While you are an assistant you order all of your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level PGA books. You are only able to complete one level per year in which you must go to Orlando, FL to take the test. So go ahead and figure yourself an assitant for a minimal of four years. Each level you finish your are considered as an apprentice, C, B, and then A. After A you can be considered like a Master professional but thats usually like 20+ years in the business. Once your an A class pro, clubs will consider you to be eligible for a head golf professional.

What you need to do is figure out if a minimum of five years is worth the squeeze. Also depending on the club you find a job at, you can determine how much you make by marketing yourself.

Hope this helps!

Sorry, I read this a little closer, and it's not really accurate.  You advance through 3 levels of apprenticeship, after which you obtain your Class A status.  Master Professional is another classification entirely.  That takes 8-10 years to complete, and it's the equivalent of getting a PhD.  While it is very likely that clubs would be looking for a Class A to be their HP, it is not a requirement.  There are plenty of Apprentice HP's out there.

The PGM program takes anywhere from 3-5 years on average to complete.  It's totally dependent on how fast you want to complete it, as it is a self-study program.  Some people take much longer, and as someone posted earlier, the drop out rate is extremely high.  I don't mean to harp on this too much, but as a Class A myself, I want to make sure that accurate information is out there about the process.

The PGM program at Miss State takes exactly four years to complete. It is 8 semesters and one summer in which you can take at the end of your junior year. The cost of the program is about $4,700 a semester for out of staters. All of my friends that graduated from there didn't even get a head professional job, they got first assistants though. So whichever way you go you most likely will be an assistant starting out anyway. I do agree with there are probably some apprentice head pros but there at crap clubs.

Edited by Oilman83, 03 November 2012 - 08:59 AM.

[freddy1682]

J.W., on 02 November 2012 - 04:16 PM, said:

freddy1682, on 02 November 2012 - 09:19 AM, said:

Oilman83, on 02 November 2012 - 08:10 AM, said:

Frankie Lob Wedge, on 21 October 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

I had been getting lots of banner ads on web sites for technical colleges for the golf industry.  I am in my mid to late 40s and shoot in the low to mid 90s from the blue tees at my muni.

I was considering a career change and called one of these golf colleges for a career in golf.  The school is 18 months and $25,000 but you can get financial aid.  They said they can place graduating students at private clubs usually as assistant pros to start.  They also said their teaching methods have helped students become pros at private clubs.  I asked about the pay and they said asst club pro starts at $50,000 plus tips.

Once you become club pro you can make a lot more.  Some of their students are pulling down a quarter million.  Some of the wealthier club members will pay them extra for lessons.

The schools said the private clubs they deal with are usually are at resorts so an apartment, lunches and green fees are usually thrown in. I am really tempted but it sounds too good to be true.  They said they can help me get my game into the low 80s which is good enough to teach.   I asked them if they guaranteed that and they said yes.  I am not sure what to do.

Listen to me buddy. The assistant pro at my country club went to the professional golf career college and he said its a joke. When you so call graduate the PGA of America does not even recognize the certificate. I also had friends of mine that graduated in the PGM program at Miss State University in which when the finish the four year degree (bachelors) they are Class A professionals. These guys still will not be hired at most courses due to the fact they have NO experience. Your best bet would be to find an open position at a club, say like an outside staff. Get your game to where you can shoot about 78 or so and then take the PAT. The PAT will cost you $100 or so. Remember once you take the PAT and pass you become a (professional) according to the PGA of America. This means you can not participate in an amateur events and if you chose not to be a professional in your career you must reinstate you amateur status (which is a pain in the a**). Once you pass the PAT try to get in the current club your at or maybe a club that is hiring a second or third assistant. As a assistant you will probably start off somewhere around $20-25K a year plus the following: meals at the club, lessons, tips, holiday bonuses, and staff deals with certain club manufacturers.

While you are an assistant you order all of your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level PGA books. You are only able to complete one level per year in which you must go to Orlando, FL to take the test. So go ahead and figure yourself an assitant for a minimal of four years. Each level you finish your are considered as an apprentice, C, B, and then A. After A you can be considered like a Master professional but thats usually like 20+ years in the business. Once your an A class pro, clubs will consider you to be eligible for a head golf professional.

What you need to do is figure out if a minimum of five years is worth the squeeze. Also depending on the club you find a job at, you can determine how much you make by marketing yourself.

Hope this helps!

This is good info, and mostly accurate.  The PGM program has changed, in that you test at a testing center locally now, however you still need to go to Florida for seminars and classes.  And FYI, it's Port St. Lucie, not Orlando.  Nowhere near as much fun as Orlando.

What are you talking about, Duffy's isn't fun???

Duffy's is the definite exception to the rule!!

[profsmitty]

hoganfan924, on 22 October 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:

Many of these for-profit educational institutions popped up based on their ability to help students acquire federal student loans, and their tuition is structured around the maximum loan amounts typically available.  Diploma mills is a good description.

http://www.nytimes.c...tion-scams.html

That's not to say that some of the golf programs aren't reputable, but you'd probably be much better off attending one of the established PGM programs, such as Ferris State, Ms. State, et. al. if you were serious about getting a good pro job at a course.  If all you wanted out of it was to teach golf and do it as an independent, then maybe one of these other programs (like PGCC in Orlando) might not be a bad choice, IMO.

Just remember that under current law, student loan debt is not dischargeable in bankruptcy, should you ever get into financial trouble.  One huge reason never to take on student loans if at all possible.

Let second everything Hoganfan mentioned and add another article to consider before enrolling in any for-profit school.

http://online.wsj.co...econdHighlights

I will let others comment on whether the idea of entering the golf professional career is what you think it is. Everything I would have said has been said very effectively. As Hoganfan's post makes clear, Federal aid is not a grant, it is a loan. It must be paid back. Period. Sallie Mae is aggressive. They are easy to get along with if they think you are sincere in your efforts to discharge your repayment obligations but they will come after you if you don't live up to your commitments.

The article I added is a very accurate description of the state of for-profit education. The "industry" is in chaos because the free market works.The market for education is not the "wild west" it once was and it is in the process of sorting out legitimate institutions from those that aren't. The DOE and regional accrediting agencies are cracking down, enforcing standards, and asking tough questions. This trend will become more pronounced once the various court cases challenging strict new DOE regulations filed by these for-profit schools work their way through the system.

The kind of school you mention, the trade-oriented schools are getting the most attention. Their loan default rates in general are the highest. The job placement rates are very suspect. And, finally, persistence to degree is very low.

Please be very, very careful. I understand the desire to change your life. But, as in golf, there are no easy roads to success. They all require talent and persistence. "Want to" is only one part of the equation.

[mikpga]

Spend 25k to make 25k your first year.  50k for an asst club pro is a rarity.

[hoganfan924]

If your goal is to teach and not run a pro shop, your best path, IMO is to start taking lessons from the best instructor you can find and seeing if they'll allow you to quietly observe them giving lessons to others.  Then after a while ask if you can do some work for them.  If you start getting a lot better and understanding swing theory, you can ask if they can take you on as an apprentice on their staff to help teach beginner lessons and move up from there.  All the while reading, attending coaching seminars, etc.  Lot's of good instructors started out this way.  $25K can buy you a lot of lessons and teaching seminars!

If I was younger, it's certainly something I'd strongly consider doing but frankly I think you've got to have some "game" before you have any credibility as an instructor.  Got to at least be able to perform competently in sectional events, IMO or have been a formerly very good player.  Shooting 80 at the local 6200 yard muni isn't going to cut it.  Your chances of getting to that level of competency in 18 months given the current state of your game isn't high, IMO while the odds of paying out $25K are certain.

[golfpros1]

to the above, i'd say work at a course that is home to a top instructor, and put in your dues under his eye to build your own rep.  a lot of times people want to work with the well known teacher, but settle for the assistant once they know the price, or can't get scheduled in, so it's a great way to launch a career in this direction.

[Par-A-Medic]

Ok old post revisited a minute. The "academy" at myrtle beach,my situation is a little different as well. I am 30 with an 8 index and 3 stepchildren that have me held down for atleast 15 more years. So at 45 I would be considering a school of this nature, with a first cousin who is a MBA pgm grad and will have a club by then, wife makes bank so the cut to do lessons or club fitting or whatever would be ok by me, I have been a public servant (paramedic) for 12 now 27 by then. I could retire, and do this ad a hobby, would you consider these places, or try to get into a pgm program at 45 years old?

[Snufles]

hoganfan924, on 22 October 2012 - 04:50 AM, said:

rafal, on 22 October 2012 - 04:04 AM, said:

They have similar pitches for Chef's schools, Medical Assistant schools etc.  These outfits solely exist to access the federal edu loan funding stream.  Beware of student loans.

^ Truth

Even the University system is doing it.

[Par-A-Medic]

Maybe my situation would like most be best to just get a business degree and then work for my cousin lol. I dot mind running a pro shop. I just don't want to wade in blood and guys and vomit forever.

[Sean2]

I have a friend who is a PGA Master Professional. He moved out my area so I rarely see him anymore, but let's just say he worked very hard to achieve that status. It's my understanding there aren't a lot of folks with this designation. He's also a fairly good golfer. :-)

[J.W.]

Par-A-Medic, on 09 December 2012 - 09:25 PM, said:

Ok old post revisited a minute. The "academy" at myrtle beach,my situation is a little different as well. I am 30 with an 8 index and 3 stepchildren that have me held down for atleast 15 more years. So at 45 I would be considering a school of this nature, with a first cousin who is a MBA pgm grad and will have a club by then, wife makes bank so the cut to do lessons or club fitting or whatever would be ok by me, I have been a public servant (paramedic) for 12 now 27 by then. I could retire, and do this ad a hobby, would you consider these places, or try to get into a pgm program at 45 years old?

You can become a PGA Professional by going through Apprenticeship, doesn't have to be a PGM program.  When I attended Ferris State there was nobody in the program that was in your age range like you occasionally get in some college classes.  If you get hired in at a golf course and wish to become a PGA Professional you just need to work under one and apply for apprenticeship... its not difficult to start up provided you can shoot 80 and can pass the pre-qualifying test.  At some point you'll need to pass the PAT but shooting 80 gets you started now.

[J.W.]

Sean2, on 09 December 2012 - 10:15 PM, said:

I have a friend who is a PGA Master Professional. He moved out my area so I rarely see him anymore, but let's just say he worked very hard to achieve that status. It's my understanding there aren't a lot of folks with this designation. He's also a fairly good golfer. :-)

Not 100% sure on this but I think the program to become a Master Professional no longer exists.  There are still guys with this title that earned their stripes though.

[Sean2]

J.W., on 09 December 2012 - 10:42 PM, said:

Sean2, on 09 December 2012 - 10:15 PM, said:

I have a friend who is a PGA Master Professional. He moved out my area so I rarely see him anymore, but let's just say he worked very hard to achieve that status. It's my understanding there aren't a lot of folks with this designation. He's also a fairly good golfer. :-)

Not 100% sure on this but I think the program to become a Master Professional no longer exists.  There are still guys with this title that earned their stripes though.

He has the title JW. It looks like this:

 6e596cca5e1cb5ef9017d0fab49294d0.jpg   80.17K   0 downloads

[Thrillhouse]

J.W., on 09 December 2012 - 10:40 PM, said:

Par-A-Medic, on 09 December 2012 - 09:25 PM, said:

Ok old post revisited a minute. The "academy" at myrtle beach,my situation is a little different as well. I am 30 with an 8 index and 3 stepchildren that have me held down for atleast 15 more years. So at 45 I would be considering a school of this nature, with a first cousin who is a MBA pgm grad and will have a club by then, wife makes bank so the cut to do lessons or club fitting or whatever would be ok by me, I have been a public servant (paramedic) for 12 now 27 by then. I could retire, and do this ad a hobby, would you consider these places, or try to get into a pgm program at 45 years old?

You can become a PGA Professional by going through Apprenticeship, doesn't have to be a PGM program.  When I attended Ferris State there was nobody in the program that was in your age range like you occasionally get in some college classes.  If you get hired in at a golf course and wish to become a PGA Professional you just need to work under one and apply for apprenticeship... its not difficult to start up provided you can shoot 80 and can pass the pre-qualifying test.  At some point you'll need to pass the PAT but shooting 80 gets you started now.

This would be the way to go in your situation medic.

[Par-A-Medic]

Thanks thrill. That's a long ways awy but after then 27 years of medical work selling golf balls and regripping clubs sounds like a great semi retirement while the wife carries me!