Is it worth it to become a PGA pro?

It's a respected qualification the world over. 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.

Is being a golf pro a good job?

Golf pros can earn a living by playing on tour, earning endorsements or teaching the game at a private club or resort course. For many avid golfers, the job of a golf professional seems a dream career. But there is a lot of hard work needed to qualify as a professional, plus a good deal of talent.

How long does it take to become a PGA pro?

The PGA of America allows up to eight years to complete the program—the average is four years. In Canada, passing the PAT is followed by the submission of a membership application and successfully navigating these four courses: Instructor of Beginner Golfers Workshop.

How much does a PGA pro make?

The salaries of Golf Pros in the US range from $73,478 to $105,174 , with a median salary of $82,469 . The middle 57% of Golf Pros makes between $82,469 and $89,955, with the top 86% making $105,174.

How good do you have to be to be a PGA pro?

As an amateur golfer we tell our students at Pro Tour Golf College that at a minimum five out of ten of your competitive rounds (50 percent) in state and national ranked amateur competitions should be below par, and your highest score should not exceed three over par on championship level golf courses.

How To Become A PGA Pro by Mark Crossfield and Coach Lockey

How hard is it to get a PGA card?

Win a PGA Tour Event or Major Championship

Anybody who wins a PGA Tour event gets an immediate two-year PGA Tour exemption. This means that any non-member who gets into the field at a PGA Tour event via a sponsor exemption or Monday qualifier, and goes on to win that event, gets their PGA Tour card.

What are the odds of playing professional golf?

The Odds for a Professional Golfer? If you are hosting a professional tournament, the probability of a golfer making an ace increases. The average Tour event has 144 professional golfers. The odds of a golfer making a Hole In One during a day of golfing are 1 in 4.5.

What is the lowest paid PGA player?

What about the lowest-paid players? The lowest-ranked PGA Championship contestant generally takes home around $19,000 for the tour, although the most recent last place Championship finisher, David Muttitt, received just a $3,000 payout.

Do PGA members get free golf?

PGA of America Members (other than Class F) and their accompanying spouse/partner or guest (not both) may receive complimentary PGA Member Club tickets. Members' immediate children, under 21 years of age, will also receive complimentary access.

How do you become a PGA golf pro?

How much does it cost to be a pro golfer?

A PGA Tour player who's exempt from qualifying doesn't have to pay entry fees for tour events. He does pay a $100 initiation fee, then $100 in annual dues. The only expense he must pay to play in a tournament is a mandatory $50 locker room fee.

Can you become a pro golfer at 30?

The good news from the research is that players can still turn professional even in their early 30s. It was also found that the best years for a golf professional are between 30 and 35, although plenty of tour players have shown they can still win tournaments in their 40s.

Can anyone join the PGA?

To become a PGA Member, you'll need to become a registered Associate before completing the PGA Professional Golf Management (PGA PGM) Program–an award-winning educational program designed for aspiring PGA Professionals that focuses on the People, the Business and the Game.

Do PGA pros get free clubs?

But if you're a PGA member, you may not need to worry about those costs. PGA takes care of its own, providing free golf clubs wherever there are tours. Professional competitions are full of reps from various retailers.

Can I make a living playing golf?

Golf can be a great game to play for fun, but it can also be a way for people to make money. Making money as a golfer does not always mean you need to be a scratch golfer. If you are creative and know a good bit about the game and truly enjoy it, you can find ways to make money.

What are the benefits of being a PGA member?

Do PGA members get Masters tickets?

Attendance/Ticket Policy

Your PGA affiliation provides benefits such as access to PGA owned events and may include ticket access to Allied Association events (US Open, Masters, etc.).

What makes a golf pro?

A professional golfer is somebody who receives payments or financial rewards in the sport of golf that are directly related to their skill or reputation. Also a person who earns money by teaching or playing golf is traditionally considered a "golf pro," most of whom are teachers/coaches.

Do golfers pay for their clubs?

For the most part, golfers are given their clubs by whoever their sponsor is. These sponsors work closely with the golfers to ensure that every club is perfect for them.

Do caddies get paid if player misses cut?

"If the player misses the cut, the caddie still has to get a paycheck because the caddie pays for all of his own expenses — airfare, hotel, car, food, all of it." "If the guy makes the cut, the standard is 10-7-5 — 10% for a win, 7% for a top 10, 5% for everything else," Collins said.

How many balls can a PGA player carry?

Under the Rules of Golf, a golfer can carry as many golf balls as they want in their bag. Really, they can carry as many golf balls as they're willing to carry around themselves or their caddie is willing to lug around for them. Most PGA Tour golfers carry in the area of nine golf balls in their bag per round.

How do pro golfers make money?

Professional golfers are paid a percentage of the purse for each tournament they play in and finish in the money. For example, the U.S. Open pays down to the 60th place finisher. Rory McIlroy won $1.4 million wining the US Open in 2011. The player in 60th place received a little over $17,000.

Is golf a elitist sport?

One major reason that golf is considered elitist is the perceived lack of diversity among those who play it. Golf history invokes ideas of exclusive country clubs with gates that open only for those with power, influence, and the right skin tone.

What handicap do you need to turn pro?

For a golfer to turn professional, they would usually have a handicap of between +4 and +6 as an amateur, as this would get to the entry-level ability for the pro tours. To be a pro, you'd need to shoot around three over par as a maximum playing on a championship course!

How does a golfer keep his PGA card?

PGA Tour card holders gain their status via tournament wins, finishing in the top 125 in the previous season's Fed Ex Cup, or through promotion from the previous season's Korn Ferry Tour.