Imagine heading to work every morning but rather than making your way into an office or built-up area, you drive through the gates of a golf club. A layer of dew sits atop the freshly cut greens as you hear the gentle hum of the greenkeepers finishing their early morning rounds.
For many, this is a dream, but for a PGA Professional, it’s just another working day. And, it’s more attainable than you’d think.
The idea of becoming a golf professional might seem out of reach, but taking a PGA qualification isn’t just for aspiring tour pros. It’s for golf enthusiasts with a love for the game, and for those who want to turn a hobby into a career.
However, gaining the qualification isn’t a casual walk in the park. It requires dedication, training and a passion for the game. So, what does it take to become a qualified PGA Professional, and what are the many rewarding career opportunities it can provide?
The training
The first step on your journey to becoming a PGA Professional in the UK is enrolling in a structured, accredited training programme. Most aspiring professionals enter the PGA Training Programme, which spans three years and combines academic study with practical experience at a golf facility.
The comprehensive training blends classroom learning — covering a range of topics including sports science, equipment technology, coaching theory, and business management — with hands-on golf course and pro-shop work.
All applicants must be employed at a golf facility under a certified PGA Professional while studying, ensuring trainees gain real-world experience throughout the process. Moreover, students on either the Foundation Degree (FdSc) or Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) must play a certain standard of golf — men need a handicap of 6.4 or below, while women must have a handicap of 8.4 or lower.
Golf is the foundation, but becoming a PGA Professional also means learning how to run a business, fit clubs, teach players of all levels, and even manage golf operations.
The tuition fee for 23/24 entry was £4,750 per academic year for UK and ROI entrants and £6,750 for international applicants, with students expected to spend at least ten hours per week attending online lectures and completing assignments alongside their duties as a trainee professional.
The programme is delivered in partnership with The University of Birmingham and The University of the Highlands and Islands, depending on your location. The courses culminate in either an FdSc in Professional Golf Studies or DipHE in Professional Golf — qualifications that mark you as a trained, well-rounded professional ready to thrive within the golf industry.
What can you expect to earn?
As with any career, salary expectations for a PGA Professional vary depending on experience, location and role.
The starting salary for a newly-qualified PGA Professional is typically upwards of £20,000 per year, with the potential to grow significantly as your career progresses.
Experienced professionals, especially those in senior roles such as Club Managers and Directors of golf, can earn between £35,000 and £60,000 per annum, with some positions reaching six figures.
Beyond the base salary, many PGA Professionals supplement their income through coaching fees, running pro shops, or offering specialised services such as custom fitting, grip changes and club repairs.
This combination of earnings can add up substantially, providing a comfortable living and a rewarding lifestyle in the golfing world.
A day in the life of a PGA Professional
The role of a PGA Professional is varied, and it goes far beyond hitting balls on the range and playing golf every day — although that is a perk of the job. It’s a dynamic mix of playing, teaching and managing the operations of a golf club.
Your day might start with an early morning lesson — perhaps coaching an aspiring young golfer — followed by a meeting with colleagues to discuss upcoming tournaments within the club. In the afternoon, you could be repairing/regripping clubs or fitting a custom set for a member, then head out and play a few or spend some time practising on the range.
Coaching is typically a big part of the role, but nowadays many PGA Professionals are taking on jobs that involve managing the business, retail or operations side of a golf facility. You might oversee the running of the pro shop, manage inventory, organise club tournaments, and liaise regularly with the members to ensure everything is running smoothly.
Balancing time between coaching, playing, and operational duties is crucial. It’s not just about excelling in one area but being versatile enough to handle everything the role demands.
Another significant aspect of the role, as briefly mentioned above, is building a relationship with members and visitors. For the best part, you’ll be their go-to for information and advice surrounding handicaps, course news, competitions and, of course, their game. Creating this connection goes a long way to being a successful PGA Pro.
How much golf will you really play?
The short answer: less than you might think. However, that’s not to say you won’t have ample opportunity to.
While one of the perks of the job is regular access to the course, playing time can be limited by your duties and schedule. Teaching, management, and event planning often take precedence. It’s also important to remember that most golf is played at the weekend, which means you’ll be working a fair few Saturdays and Sundays.
That being said, being a PGA Professional does mean you’ll have the chance to play in the many PGA tournaments run by the association, allowing you to play competitive golf throughout the year and the opportunity to win a slice of a substantial annual prize fund (>£300k in 2024 for their National Tournament Schedule).
Career paths
The beauty of becoming a PGA Professional is the sheer number of career paths that it can open up. Golf is a large and ever-growing industry, with a plethora of avenues to work in. While many professionals choose to focus on coaching, there are a wide variety of different roles to pursue, some of which include:
Club Fitter: Specialises in tailoring equipment to suit individual players, a critical service for those serious about their game.
Golf Club Manager: Oversee the day-to-day operations of a golf club, from budgeting and staffing to member relations and event planning.
Director of Golf: Manage the entire golf department, including staff, budgets, tournaments, and coaching programmes.
Golf YouTuber/Influencer: With the rise of digital media, many PGA Professionals have found success sharing their expertise online, building a following on platforms like YouTube.
Golf Course Designer/Architect or Consultant: For those with a passion for architecture and strategy, helping to design courses could be an exciting route.
Journalist: Knowing the sport inside-out is a crucial element of golf journalism and can put you in good stead for a career in the media industry.
Public Relations: Similarly to journalism, having a deep-rooted understanding of golf, both in a playing and business aspect, places you in a small percentage of experienced professionals in a niche market.
These are just some of the opportunities available across various sectors, but many more can be found within each career path, providing continuous lines of work within the industry.
Is it worth it?
Becoming a PGA Professional isn’t just a job — it’s a lifestyle. From early mornings on the range to late nights planning club events and attending committee meetings, you become a part of the very fabric of the game.
While the process might be long, requiring years of study and practice, the rewards and longevity found within the game are immense. For those passionate about golf, the journey is more than worth the effort. It provides not only a career with prospects but also an opportunity to immerse yourself in a global community.
Whether you aspire to be a dedicated club pro, teach the next generation of golfers, coach the greatest names in golf, manage a state-of-the-art facility, or carve out a niche for yourself, being a PGA Professional opens doors to endless opportunities.
In a world that’s ever-changing, golf remains a timeless pursuit. As a PGA Professional, you’ll not only contribute to its legacy but also help to shape its future. And perhaps, when the sun sets on another perfect day at the course, you’ll look back and realise — it’s exactly where you’re meant to be.
