About the PGA Instructor

PGA Professionals are universally recognized as the experts and teachers of golf. There is no quick and easy way to achieve PGA certification -- PGA Members earn their status only by undergoing a multi-year series of work, study and training in every aspect of golf ranging from teaching to tournament management to golf shop operations, and must maintain their expertise through a variety of continuing education programs. They also must pass a Playing Aptitude Test, furthering ensuring that they are uniquely qualified to teach the game of golf.

Teaching has always been an integral part of the 87-year history of the PGA of America, which was founded by English and Scottish professionals who had emigrated to the United States. Their purpose in forming the PGA in 1916 was to create greater interest in the game and encourage people to learn how to play golf.

As technology began to change how America lived and conducted business, PGA Professionals were among the first to adapt technical concepts to teaching the game. In 1919, reigning PGA Champion Jim Barnes authored Picture Analysis of Golf Strokes, which was the first golf book to use high-speed sequence photography and immediately became the leading instruction manual of the day.

As the manufacture of equipment became more streamlined and the game became more popular, new methods of teaching began to evolve. In the 1930s, PGA Professional Irv Schoss began using high-speed cameras to film his students' golf swings. Eventually, he was filming and analyzing the swings of hundreds of professional golfers. Today, video technology enables PGA Professionals to provide their students with instant analysis.

To spread the word, the pages of The Professional Golfer, today?s PGA Magazine, became an excellent vehicle for displaying swing sequences of the game's top players, graphically showing how different shots should be executed and discussing the variety of teaching methods and programs that were being employed throughout the United States.

As scientific disciplines matured and researchers began to learn more about he human body and how we function, PGA Professionals were eager to embrace that knowledge as well. The concept of how a student learns and the biomechanics involved in the golf swing became just as important to any instruction program as teaching a proper grip.

In 1986, the PGA established the Teacher of the Year Award to recognize the outstanding performance of some of its most dedicated members. Each of the PGA's 41 Sections also honors its own Teacher of the Year.

Today, PGA Professionals teach everybody how to play golf: juniors, seniors, inner-city youth with limited access to golf courses, Special Olympians, the physically disabled, high handicappers, heads of state, royalty, scratch golfers, tour players -- and you.

How to Become a PGA Instructor

PGA Professionals are universally recognized as the experts and teachers of golf, but there is no quick and easy way to achieve PGA certification.

PGA instructors earn their status only by undergoing a multi-year series of work, study and training in every aspect of golf ranging from teaching to tournament management to golf shop operations, and must maintain their expertise through a variety of continuing education programs. They also must pass a Playing Aptitude Test, furthering ensuring that they are uniquely qualified to teach the game of golf.

Becoming a PGA Member begins with an apprenticeship. In July 1994, the PGA launched the PGA Professional Golf Management Program (PGA PGM) as a new path to PGA membership. This innovative apprentice-training program is designed to prepare qualified men and women for the challenges, responsibilities and opportunities they will face as PGA Golf Professionals in today's industry and in the decades to come.

The program emphasizes the practical application of state-of-the-art skills and knowledge along with sophisticated work activities, and is designed to give apprentices the skills to add value to their golf facilities. When you graduate from the program, you will be ready to provide exceptional service to customers, employers, fellow professionals and the game of golf.

For people aspiring to become PGA Professionals, the PGA PGM Program will be the start of a life-long process of learning new skills, polishing old ones and becoming even better at dealing with the people, the game and the business of golf. As a result of your training, the game of golf will continue to grow in popularity and reach a higher level.

To learn more about becoming a PGA instructor, visit: http://careernet.pgalinks.com/helpwanted/empcenter/