How does one become a professional golfer?

My journey to becoming a "Class A" member of the Canadian PGA went like this.

The first step was to pass the playing ability test which I did in 2001. A 36 hole tournament where a score of 152 or better was a pass. Once the playing ability test was passed you could begin the minimum 3 year apprenticeship under a "Class A" Head Professional to be trained in all things golf. Teaching, club fitting, club repair, retail operation and merchandising, organizing and running the clubs leauges, tournaments and day to day golf operation, including the control of the tee sheet, the marshaling, and pretty much ever single detail that is involved in running a golf operation at a golf course.

Aside from the day to day golf pro duties, four levels of teaching and coaching certifications with research and assignments, club fitting and club repair training, as well as a completion of 75 hours of seminar related to the golf professional field.

For my education, I completed the Professional Golf Management program at the Grant MacEwan University which is a two year management studies program combined with a number of courses specific to the golf professional and the golf industry such as food and beverage, working with boards and committies, golf course design, turfgrass management. etc. A third year of the program was strictly classes related to the golf industry with focus on teaching and coaching.

After completion of the education requirements, the seminar and professional developments programs, and the 3 years of apprenticeship, I wrote a 4 hour exam covering teaching and coaching, rules of golf, retail, management, and pretty much every single thing related to the business of golf, which was graded by the committee in the Canadian PGA. Only after passing the exam was my apprenticeship complete and I became a "Class A" member of the Canadian PGA which is the endorsement from the association that I represent them as an expert in pretty much everything golf.

Before moving to Singapore 2 years ago to coach full time, I worked at a members golf club in western Canada for 8 years as a club professional looking after the day to day golf operation, I was the junior golf coordinator as well as the head instructor for 5 years. Although I have never won a professional tournament, I have played competitively as a professional since 2001.

I have a huge library at home and have studied, and continue to study the worlds top instructors, mental gurus, short game gurus and pretty much anything I can get my hands on that will to help me be better at what I do.

I truly love my job!

Have a great day all!

To Join Australian PGA traineeship you need to be from Australia Or New- Zeland or been a PR of australia . The only option for foreigner will be to join a course Call PGA IGI . the first 3 year . you do not need been 4 or bellow . better be for work on it .. the first year will be a diploma of golf managment . the second and third year will be Degree of Golf Managment join with griffith University . You will at that time be applying for the PGA traineeship will only take one year which correspond to the third Year of the PGA trainneship .

Punkrock, it is amazing for me me to witness your passion in golf. Not just a player, but as a true professional. Always getting in the same domain to gain mastery in the spirit of excellence.

Thank you Punkrock, it is inspiring!

Thank you Cyp... now i know foreigners can enroll in Aust too.

Any age group? Maybe want to change job!

Thank you

i got guys of 30 - 4o in my class but there are like 4 / 50 student mostly between 17 - 25 is the majority