Golf Schools

Question
Hello Paul,
My name is Eric and I am currently in the USAF.  I am getting out of the military in a few months.  I am a 15 handicap and getting better.  I am wondering if going to Professional Golfers Career College is worth it?  My goal is to become a teaching professional.  I would like to become an apprentice and work on my card as quickly as possible through the PGM program.  My concern is that I am not good enough to pass the PAT yet and I just turned 29.  So, I am wondering if the 16 or 18 months at the PGCC while jump start my game a bit and get me in the single digit handicap area so that I will be more marketable to the golf industry.  What are your thoughts?  Also, is the industry going to be strong enough in 2 years for me to get a job?  I hope that it is because I feel that it is my only choice for a life long career.  I can't stand to be away from the game for more than a day!  Thank you very much for you advice in advance.

Very Respectfully,
Eric Dutra

Answer
Dear Eric,

Thank you for your service to our country.  I'm a veteran of four years in the Navy myself (but a long, long time ago).

To be candid, I don't know anything about the Professional Golfers Career College.  But from your explanation, I understand why you are considering it.  I just don't know if their program for helping students play better golf will get you to where you need to be faster than simply finding a good teacher and working hard on your game.  I would imagine the Career College would be more expensive.

I think you already know that in order to succeed as a golf professional, you will want to go through the PGA's apprenticeship program.  So I think you are approaching the field in the right way.

Let me say this:  A club professional needs to love what he/she is doing.  It's not a career in which you can expect to make a lot of money.  It is many days of very long hours and golfers/members can be tough to deal with sometimes.  I think you just know in your heart if it's what you need to do.  It sounds like you've already figured that out.  And, by the way, you don't get to play as much golf as you might think as a club pro.

I think the future of the industry is strong.  We are all going through a difficult economic time right now, but this will end someday.  Average people rarely get the best jobs or become a big-time success.  It takes extraordinary effort and dedication to get ahead.  That's true in the business of golf and it's true in every other profession.

By the way...I define being a "professional" as putting other's interests ahead of your own.  Doctors do that.  Some lawyers do that and the best PGA Professionals do that.

Back to your PAT concern.  If I were you, I'd find the best teacher I could find (and afford) and work my butt off to pass the PAT.  Ideally, you might find a club or course where you can work (even if it's running bags and carts at first) so you can make a few bucks, get lessons from the Head Pro and then get into the PGM program when you are able to pass your PAT.  I know that's a fairly common practice in South Florida.  

I wish you the best of luck.  I hope my answers have helped you.  Feel free to ask me any other questions you might have.  I'll do my best to help you.

Sincerely,

Paul Dolman
PGA Golf Professional