Head Golf Professional Job Description

Golf Professions

A golf pro is someone who makes money by playing golf. Golf pros can be anything from the manager of a club or resort to certified coaches who teach people how to play golf. A passion and aptitude for the sport are common denominators of all golf professionals.

A professional golfer is someone who plays golf for a living, playing on major tours. The three main professions of golf pros are touring professional, club professional and instructor. Each profession has its own requirements and responsibilities.

Golfers who don't succeed at becoming touring professionals are usually club professionals or instructors. All professions require daily involvement in the sport along with knowledge of correct techniques and the rules of the game. Golf instructors are either employed with a club, hotel or resort or are independent contractors.

They are highly successful and technically skilled golfers who have an ability to convey technique and Gameplay through verbal instruction and physical demonstrations. They understand weaknesses in a student's game and will help the student make improvements. Golf instructors working for a club or resort may have additional responsibilities, including managing assistant instructors, supervising caddies, and telling the groundskeepers about turf problems.

Most golf pros spend a lot of time outdoors since golf is a game that must be played outside. The amount of physical activity is higher than the average occupation, but less than most other sports. Golf pros have to carry heavy bags with clubs and other equipment when walking and climbing hills.

The Pro Shop of a Golf Course

A PGA club professional is a jack of all trades and his duties vary widely. A club pro needs to be able to teach and manage different ages and abilities, manage the operations of the golf course, market the golf course to potential new players and members, and work with the greenskeeping crew. The pro shop is a key profit center for a golf course.

The club pro's duties include ordering merchandise, stocking the shop, selling merchandise and understanding the needs and desires of the club's golfers. A pro's skill in buying and selling the right merchandise can make a big difference in a club's bottom line. The golf course's day-to-day operations are overseen by a PGA club pro.

The duties include organizing and communicating tee time policies, working out the details of club competitions and tournaments, insuring a good pace of play, and supervising other members of the golf staff. Public relations and promotion of the club are some of the duties of a club pro. The pro acts as a psychologist for individual club members.

A club pro understands how to relate to members on an individual basis, as they run the gamut in personality and behaviors. It's important for a club pro to get to know the members as both people and golfers. A club pro who relates well to the members creates a harmonious atmosphere that is good for a successful career.

The Job Opportunities of Head Golf Pros

Those who become golf professionals can fill many shoes. Some teachers teach the mental side of the game. Golf pros help run businesses, buy merchandise, and oversee maintenance at courses.

A golf professional must have the ability to work with people. Golf pros must be able to work with people who are respectful. They must be able to help the public with their golfing needs and teach them how to play the game.

They are required to be able to run daily reports regarding course play and sales, create and maintain staff schedules, and organize and oversee golf tournaments and events. Golf pros are expected to work early morning hours and spend a lot of time on their feet. They must be in good physical condition to do their jobs and to set an example for the staff and players.

They are expected to work during the weekend and holidays when the weather is nice. The environment is the main benefit of being a golf pro, and it can be an ideal atmosphere if you work in a golf facility that is sunny. Most jobs require a high school or college degree.

Some golf facilities require their golf professionals to have college degrees. Professionals who want to earn certification through the United States Golf Teaching Federation must do so. The professional golfer may have to go through the PGA Professional Golf Management Program to test their golfing ability.

Golf Course Workers

Public golf courses and private clubs have a lot of workers. Entry-level jobs are available on the golf course. Although you won't make a lot of money as a golf course employee, you can still enjoy working outdoors.

Some courses don't need a staff at all to make reservations, collect greens fees or tend the grounds. Country clubs typically have larger staffs for restaurants, bars and event spaces. Most golf courses have a few key professionals.

caddies carry golf bags and perform basic tasks for golfers Caddies help their golfers by giving them clubs as needed and storing them in the bag after shots. A caddy must clean the golfer's ball and clubs before the game starts.

A caddy uses an automatic rangefinder to calculate the distance between a ball and the green. Caddies who don't carry a device to measure distances use distance markers along the fairways. The caddy must remove the flag stick from the green as the golfers make their putts.

The caddy must rake the sand after a golfer lands a ball in a sand trap. The caddy must plug the patch of grass when a golfer creates a divot in the fairway. The head greenskeepers are in charge of teams of workers.