10 Best Things About Being A PGA Professional
The modern PGA professional benefits from a raft of opportunities to develop work and life skills and can enjoy a long career in an arena they enjoy. Aside from playing, and working within golf, they have the chance to specialise, to travel, to socialise and, perhaps most rewardingly, to help others.
Including diverse career options, international opportunities and a chance to help others, this is our list of the 10 best things about being a PGA Professional.
1. Following A Dream
Few people can say they work in an industry they love. Becoming a PGA professional allows you to immerse yourself within the game. Whether playing, coaching or managing, or perhaps a little of each, you’ll be thinking about, talking about and promoting an aspect of golf every working day.
2. Diverse Options
The options for a PGA Professional are wide ranging. These days, there’s a great deal more to choose from than the inaccurate old cliché of simply, “selling Mars bars in a shop.” PGA Professionals work in coaching, managing, retail, administration and manufacturing. From designing courses to coaching an elite player – there are hugely exciting options to explore. Visit our golf jobs glossary for a full overview of the varied roles available in the golf industry.
3. The Chance to Specialise
As their careers progress, PGA Professionals have a chance to specialise thanks to the progressive PGA 2020 Vision and PGA Excel. Members can choose their specialism and highlight their expertise as either a PGA Professional, PGA Coach or PGA Manager, gaining industry recognised status throughout their career.
4. Interacting With People
Whatever career path a PGA Professional chooses to take, they will develop skills in communication. Whether delivering clear instruction to a pupil or negotiating with a supplier, PGA Professionals learn to interact with people from many different walks of life and become highly skilled communicators.
5. International Opportunities
There are PGA Professionals in 80 countries around the world. There are few jobs that allow for such opportunities to travel and to work abroad. See how some our graduates and alumni have found rewarding careers overseas in our Be Inspired section.
6. Following A Dream
At a range of levels, from elite down to local, there are options for PGA Professionals to compete, and to win some cash! Some events are professional only, others are pro-am tournaments, allowing the PGA Pro to socialise with members and to network with people from different walks of life. Find out more about our Tournament Schedule.
7. A World-Renowned Qualification
The PGA have been educating golf professionals for over 50 years. A PGA qualification is a passport to the global golf industry and a highly respected qualification the world over.
8. Satisfaction in Seeing Others’ Enjoyment
Whether delivering a perfect custom-fit set of new irons, ironing out a swing fault or just ensuring a group enjoys their day of golf, being a PGA Pro is hugely rewarding. Basically, the PGA Pro helps others to enjoy something they love to the maximum extent. That’s job satisfaction!
9. Being Part of a Community
PGA Professionals can benefit from the support, knowledge and experience of their fellow PGA pros. Whether it’s through a personally established relationship or an online forum, there’ll always be someone able to help or advise.
10. Developing a Network
Interacting with people from a huge range of backgrounds and professions, there are few jobs that allow you to build such a network of useful contacts. A PGA Professional is always well connected!