Since 1916, the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) of America has been training golf professionals to help average golfers improve and enjoy the game more. Throughout the years, the training and education these professionals receive has changed and evolved to the system that is currently in place.

Most people don't realize the time and effort it takes to wear the badge of a PGA Professional. This is most often not an easy or financially rewarding profession, but it is one that each professional has a great passion for. There are several different ways a person seeking membership in the organization to achieve this goal.

The most common way to start on the path to becoming a golf professional is through the Golf Professional Training Program (GPTP) of the PGA of America. This comprehensive program has been designed to give the aspiring professional skills in many different areas of golf operations. The program is designed to take around three years to complete. There are numerous self-study courses including such diverse subjects as Food & Beverage, Teaching, Rules of the Game and Golf Cart Fleet Management.

There are three levels of courses to complete which become more involved and complex with each new level. During this period it is also necessary to pass a player ability test. This test consists of playing two rounds of golf, typically on the same day, within a set range of scores. The test is designed to measure the playing ability of each student.

Each student is required to have 36 credits of a working apprenticeship for a Class A Professional. This apprenticeship allows the prospective professional the chance to learn and ask questions of a current PGA Professional. This relationship is critical to the success of the program. It is only through this apprenticeship that students are able to learn the subtle nuances of being a golf professional. For each month an apprentice works toward a Class A, they will receive 1 credit. The PGA of America does give credits for those individuals who have a college degree.

A recent development in the training program of the PGA of America is the implementation of the Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program at select colleges around the United States. These programs are college degrees that are specifically designed around the golf business. There are numerous courses that are golf related that must be taken in order to graduate with these 4-year degrees. Not only will the graduate have a 4-year college degree, but they will also be a Class A member of the PGA of America. Currently there are 18 schools around the country that offer the PGM program.

Once a member of the association, the professional is then required to complete 36 Memeber Service Requirements (MSR) every three years. These points can be awarded by taking career-specific classes or attending seminars that will keep the professional current. Points may also be awarded by volunteering time being a rules official, helping out with a golf clinic, or a myriad of other activities.

The MSR program is designed to keep the professional up-to-date about what is going on in the golf industry. It is also a time for personal development - improving their skills will be a great benefit for the members and golfers they interact with.

The PGA of America has had a Master Professional Program to identify those professionals who choose to receive additional training in a specific area. In addition to this, the PGA of America has recently introduce the Certified Professional Program. This program is now the first step in becoming a Master Professional.

A professional will select an area they feel comfortable in seeking additional information on. The subject areas include Golf Operations, Instruction, General Management, Retail, Executive Management and Ownership/Leasing. After selecting an area, the professional will then review the material and take a proficiency test in order to become a certified professional. This certification must renewed every 5 years.

If the Certified Professional chooses, he or she may apply for the Master Professional status. This is currently the highest level for the PGA Professional. The Master Professional can prepare a project based on their chosen career path. Once submitted it will be determined if they will be allowed to present their project to a panel who will decide if they will grant Master Professional status. The professional must also have at least 8 years of experience in the golf business in order to be awarded Master Professional.

The PGA of America has taken many significant steps to ensure that they are producing the finest professional in the business. The education, mentor-ship and experience gained by working in this system is of the highest standards. The strength of this organization lies in the quality of the professionals they produce to lead the future.

Anytime you see the PGA logo associated with someone's name you can be sure they understand the game of golf and have had top-notch training. This is the greatest reason why the PGA Professional is considered an expert in the field of golf. If you are interested in becoming a PGA Professional, visit the Professional Readiness Orientation website for more information.

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