Golf Schools/Working in the Golf Industry

Re: Golf Schools/Working in the Golf Industry

BRANDON W — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:57:49 GMT

Working in the golf industry can be a great career. I'm a PGA professional and proud Titleist/FootJoy staff member. I got my PGA membership in the fall of 2009, by going the PGA PGM program, not through a college. I would recommend going through one of the PGM universities, as these are all great schools, and will help you with job placements and interns at some of the best courses in the country. I work at a top 50 facility and we utilize interns every season. Good luck

Re: Golf Schools/Working in the Golf Industry

Allen P — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:43:08 GMT

Glad to hear you are reconsidering your choice. I don't know much about you but if I were in your shoes I would attempt to apply to a college program in the golf industry. If you go to the www.pga.com they provide a list of schools that offer Professional Golf Management degrees. The Golf Academy can say want they want but it does not equal the education you get a university.

Re: Golf Schools/Working in the Golf Industry

Rob K — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:48:52 GMT

Hi Manny,

I just read your post, and you honestly sound a lot like me! I know things are a lot different here in Canada where I am in terms of some of the school programs, but I can provide you with some of steps I took to get to where I am at. I knew from a very young age I wanted to do something in the golf industry. I ate, slept, and dreamed golf in my teenage years, and that is still in me. In high school, I knew a PGM program would be the way to go, and I went to a school just outside of Toronto for 3 years, and it was a great experience. After my first year, I found a summer placement job working at a local driving range, and after I graduated and turned professional, I became one of their teaching professionals. I was there for 5 years, and then moved on to a private golf club, which was a fantastic job! After my season there, I was very fortunate to land a job here, at Titleist in Canada, and it has been excellent. I really love the job, and the people here make it even better.

It's so good to hear someone with the passion for the game as you have, and I hope you find exactly what you are looking for. If you ever have any other questions, feel free to shoot me a message.

Thanks,

Rob K

Re: Golf Schools/Working in the Golf Industry

eboos — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:02:36 GMT

[quote user="tdogg21"]

i don't know anyone, but have talked to some people who went to the Golf Academy of America and hated it. they said it was basically a school looking for money. they said there were a couple of instructors that were good, but for the most part, you're paying to be able to say you went there. i would look at one of the PGM programs or find a course or store to work at. that's the best way to get a foot in the door and them move up from there.

[/quote]

While I have no first or second hand information about this school, my gut feeling was the same. It seemed like another school like those teaching motorcycle mechanics where the job opportunities will not justify the cost of the school.

Re: Golf Schools/Working in the Golf Industry

Christian J — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:21:50 GMT

I've heard the exact same things from my future college golf coach. I'm planning on attending Iowa Western, a community college, first to practice and compete with them. Then I am transferring to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to study their PGA Golf Management. I toured their facility last month and absolutely loved it! Everything they had was top notch, and from what I've seen better than the golf institutes. If you really want to get into the industry, check out a school that offers this program. Nebraska pledges to place all their students in the golf industry within 6 months, and they can show proof to back it up.

Re: Golf Schools/Working in the Golf Industry

Manuel M — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:13:41 GMT

Wow I didn't expect all the support so quick but it happened:) thank you all so much as I am going to look into the link you provided and hopefully I can get what I'm looking for, or at least a good portion of it. I was actually contemplating going to the Golf Academy but now that you've told me some info about it. I will reconsider it definitely. Thank you all again.

Respectfully, Manny M.

Re: Golf Schools/Working in the Golf Industry

tdogg21 — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:58:16 GMT

Re: Golf Schools/Working in the Golf Industry

dacherri — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:46:47 GMT

start here: http://pgajobfinder.pgalinks.com/helpwanted/empcenter/pgaandyou/pro.cfm?ctc=1676

this is a pretty good jumping off point and there's a wealth of information buried within the PGA careers website. most of your questions outlined above should be covered via this website, you may have to do some digging though.

Re: Golf Schools/Working in the Golf Industry

Don O — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 04:00:15 GMT

I refer to What Color is My Umbrella as a guide to a new career. The single best piece of advice in it is to not apply for jobs, but seek out mentors. Ask them what has worked for them, learn what they think is the best experience and have as only expectation, to see if is there someone they would recommend you need to talk to next. Even if you only learn the best options, that can prepare you for the next level. People are hesitant to spend time with someone just looking for a job when they don't have one, but keep trying to find the ones that like what they do and want to help someone with their interest. Eventually, it may be the 4th, 9th, or 15th person you interview that may have an opportunity to offer you. I forget who said it, may have been Ben Franklin, but the good Lord gave us 2 ears and one mouthe to listen more than we talk.

Good luck. There is no better career than to follow your passion.

Re: Golf Schools/Working in the Golf Industry

Skylar T — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 03:48:36 GMT

Well, I do know that many colleges offer a PGM major which is for PGA Golf Management. I have looked into this for myself. It is a four year program and some of the schools that offer it are, Florida state, Florida gulf Coast, Campbell university, COastal Carolina, Clemson, act.. There are quite a few more but those were the ones I remember. Im not sure if this is something that you would be able to do as I do not know how old you are and at what point in your life you are in but it would definitely assist you in finding a job in the industry. Just a thought. Good Luck!