Learning To Play Golf Professionally

golf professionally sounds like one of those dreamhandicap of 2 or less, you can participate in an
jobs that everyone wants. Those that areopen qualifying round conducted by the PGA
successful at playing golf professionally get toSection where a PGA Tour event is being played.
travel to beautiful locations all over the world, theirThose with the four lowest scores will normally
idea of work is playing a sport that they loveadvance to that event. The open qualifying round
every day, and the money is pretty attractive asis generally held the Monday of tournament week.
well. It does not take a lot of imagination forThe PGA Section qualifying round is also held in
figure out why someone would want to be aassociation with most PGA TOUR open events.
professional golfer.This is for all PGA members who belong to the
The Characteristics of a Professional GolferSection in which the event is being played. The
That is only one side of the story though. Theretwo lowest scorers advance to the event. The
are a number of ingredients that are required toMonday before the tournament week is again
produce a successful professional golfer.usually used for this competition. Exempted from
Desire — In order for a golfer to bethis event and allowed into the PGA tour is the
successful there must be a burning desire. Withoutcurrent Section champion or player of the year.
the passion and competitive spirit driving you,Becoming A Member Of The PGA Of America Is
chances are that a golfer will never succeed. TheAlso No Cake Walk.
player will quickly tire of the game and lay it toYou must become a registered apprentice and
the side. A successful golfer will continually replayproceed through the PGA Professional Golf
the day’s shots in their mind honing it andManagement (PGA/PGM)TM
desiring to improve upon it. There will be anProgram in order to become a PGA member. This
excitement about going out on the course theis the criteria to register into the PGA/PGMTM
next time.Program:
Practice — Practice! Practice! Practice!Meet the Eligible Employment requirements, which
Everyone has heard that practice makes perfect,means that you must be eligibly employed at the
but the hours that must be invested in golf totime of registration for six months of the
become a professional golfer are many andpreceding 12 months. Participating in an amateur
different for everyone. There is simply noevent will forfeit all work experience credits
substitute for swinging the club. That is where allearned before the event.
of the theory and coaching come into action.Satisfy the Playing Abilities Test, PAT,
Work Ethic — This is where therequirement.
perfectionist attitude must show up. Listening toSubmit a signed apprentice registration form
your coach, studying video of your shot, analyzingverifying employment and documenting your
your own imperfections, watching other golfers,review of the Professional Readiness Orientation
and then applying it. This can get tiresome, but(PRO).
those that strive to be professional golfersYou must pay all apprentice fees for National and
relentlessly study, observe and apply. Evenyour Section and purchase the Level 1 Kit to
practice can become mundane for commonbecome an apprentice.
people, but for the professional golfer if is honingAcceptable Progress is defined by successful
time. This is where all of the studying andcompletion of each Level's Checkpoint. The Level
critiquing can manifest.1 Checkpoint has to be successfully completed
Natural Talent — Without some naturalwithin two years of the Level 1 start date to
talent, the other three characteristics discussedremain in good standing. The Level 2 Checkpoint
here will still fall short. All of the want-to, practice,must be completed within four years of the Level
and work will only get you so far. You must have1 start date. Finally, the Level 3 Checkpoint must
some level of natural ability to work with.be successfully completed within six years of the
Becoming professional golfer quality is only half ofLevel 1 start date. Apprentices have only eight
the battle.years from their Level 1 start date to graduate
You must find your way into the professionalfrom the PGA PGM Program and get elected
tour. There are a number of ways to accomplishtomembership.
this.Have a high school diploma or be at least 18
1. Finish within the top 30 at the annual Qualifyingyears of age and high school equivalency
Tournament.completed. You are eligible for educational credits
2. Win an approved PGA TOUR, or co-sponsored,toward PGA membership with a college degree.
event.U.S. Citizen or resident alien status is required.
3. Finish among the top 125 players on the officialYou must have earned a total of 36 work
money list in a year.experience credits plus have fulfilled the PGA
4. During the course of a PGA TOUR season, winPGMTM Program.
an amount of official money equal to the amountA four year college degree will receive 12 credits
won in the preceding year by the 125th finisherand six credits for a two year college degree.
on the official money list. Upon completion of thisAgain, work experience earned prior to
step you are considered a registered PGAparticipating in an amateur event will be forfeited.
apprentice.While playing golf professionally is an extremely
5. Finish in the top 20 of the official Nationwidedesirable career, anyone that is considering this
Tour money list.undertaking must understand the difficulties they
If you are a professional or have a USGAwill face.