career in the golf industry

Question
QUESTION: Mr. Dolman,
    I am 30 years old, and, I am currently a manager of a grocery store. I am looking to make a career change to something that I am passionate about. When I was a year old my grandfather put a "sawed-off" one iron in my hand. With the exception of a 6 year hiatus, I have played ever since. I can think of no career that would satisfy me more than to be a club pro or course/tournament manager. Can you suggest the best avenue for a man of my age to break into the golf world? Also, is there any one thing that you would say to a man who is interested in a career such as this?

ANSWER: Dear Lance,

I will give you the same advice I have passed along to my own family members... Do for a living, the job you can be the most passionate about.  Others have said similar things..."The man who loves his job will never work another day in his life".

Having said that...let me tell you this, from my experience and from the experience of many other fellow club professionals:  It is not as glamorous as some people might think.  You will never be paid for all the hours that you work.  There will be many days that you wonder why to do what you do.  (You may already be wondering those things about your current job...  I'm sure managing a grocery store is way harder than it appears.)

But golf professionals are suckers...they love what they do.  That's the only justification for becoming a club professional.  Become a golf professional only if you feel you "must" be a golf professional.

There is a huge difference between being a golf professional (a club pro) and a professional golfer (a tour pro).  Be sure you understand that difference.  Almost every member of the club you work for will play more golf than you do.  "Playing" the game may be the factor that draws you to the profession but you will spend only a fraction of your time playing.  Learn to love the many facets of the game (the competition, the history, the architecture, the technology, the spirit, the learning, etc.).

The PGA of America and its apprenticeship program is the only good way to be successful as a golf professional.  No other career college or other professional golf curriculum will get you close to where election to membership in the PGA will get you.  Class "A: membership is the most important credential you can receive as a golf professional.  Go to PGA.com and follow the links to the apprenticeship program and/or contact the Section office of the PGA Section where you live.  The contact information for those Section Offices is on the website or just call the PGA of America in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.  They can explain how to get started.

The PGA of America has approximately 28,000 members and apprentices across the country.  But there are probably fewer than 500 good head professional jobs.  The guys who get those really good jobs are exceptional.  If you just want to be average in this profession you will probably never make more than $65,000 per year and you will bounce from one job to another your entire career.  Please don't be average...we have enough of those.

Finally, the most important talent you need to cultivate is your ability to make everyone around you feel that you have their interests ahead of your own.  That's way more important than how well you play, how effectively you run tournaments or how good a teacher you become.

Being 30 years old is definitely not too late to get started.  In some ways it's an advantage over the kid that starts working on the range or in the shop right out of school.  You've had a chance to achieve some success in another line of work.  You're already a good manager.  That experience will serve you well.  Some of the best golf professionals are people that had a first career doing something else.

You have my very best advice and I thank you for asking this question.  It's my favorite question to address.  I wish you the very best of luck and if you go for it....let me know.  I'll be interested in your career.

Best wishes,

Paul Dolman
PGA Golf Professional



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Can you elaborate on what you would consider to be one of those 500 good jobs in respect to location, work atmosphere, and salary? I do not wish to be average and would like to set a proper goal at he beginning of this journey.

Answer
Dear Lance,

The top jobs are the at the clubs or courses that are well financed and well run by people that truly know what they are doing.  At the very top of those are the clubs that host USGA sanctioned events (US Open, US Amateur, US Womens and Senior Open Championships, etc.), the PGA Championship and the top tour events.  Each year or so Golf Digest and Golf Magazine produce a list of the top 100 clubs in the country.  There may be an exception but I'd imagine any of those clubs would fall into that category.  You can also find similar lists by state.

These exceptional clubs take the time to train their employees properly.  They have plenty of resources to do things right.  You may not have the chance to start your career at one of these clubs but you want to work at one of them as soon as possible.  They are "resume makers".  

These are all are six figure jobs.

What they have in common is a history of doing the right things, the right way.  Most of these clubs are equity member owned clubs.  They are expensive clubs to belong to and they have the money and resources and (even more importantly) the desire to be a cut above everyone else.  They take pride on being the very best.

They tend not to be clubs open to public play but there are many exceptions to that (Pebble Beach, Sawgrass, Kiawa Island, etc.).  As an apprentice at one of these clubs you will work under a Head Professional that will teach you the right way to do everything that a golf professional does.  That education is what other top clubs will pay you for later in your career. (2 years working carts and bagroom at Southern Hills, 3 years as an assistant professional at Cypress Point = Head Professional at a top 100 club)

If you have the choice you want to steer clear of lower budget facilities and clubs operated by golf management companies.  You just won't learn the business the right way at those facilities.  Having said that, most of us (me included) have spent some part of our career at one of these.  Just don't let this brand of club define you.  Work at one if you must (and when you're just getting started, you may not have a better choice) but be putting your efforts on getting to the best club in your area.  Work for less and take a lower level position...but get yourself to the best club you can find.

Everyone in any area knows the best club in town or the best few within the state.  That part is not so hard to find out.  Finding the top professionals is not quite so obvious but it's still fairly easy to figure out.  When you contact the PGA Section Office for the area you're interested in...ask them about the annual award winners over the last few years for that section.  Find out who the Professional of the Year was, the Merchandiser of the Year, the Teacher of the Year, etc.  Every PGA Section recognizes those top professionals each year.  When you find an award winner at a top club...you have a winning combination.  That's your target club.

All these top jobs are six figure positions.  But be patient...it will take you some time to get there.  As I stated in my first response to you, you can't do this for the money.  There are any number of other lines of work where you can make more money.

Good luck!

Paul