Education

Becoming a member of the
Professional Golfers Association of South Africa


Class of 2006/2007

Have you ever wondered what exactly it takes to become a member of The PGA of SA? There are four main components for eligibility: Academic, Practical Time, Practical Coaching Test and a Practical Playing Ability Test.

The Academic Component

The purpose of the PGA Education Programme is to provide a structured programme for aspiring golfing professionals and those working within the golf coaching, retailing and club management sectors to enable them to provide high levels of service for all sectors of the golf industry.

It is a qualification in a career pathway towards an accomplished business management, sports coaching management and administration specialist.

The Programme consists of exit level learning outcomes covering, sports coaching and training, sports science, financial accounting and retail management and administration, budgeting, business calculations, and human resources for the golfing sector.

The PGA academic program is registered and accredited with SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority). SAQA have various levels of tertiary education including certificates, diplomas and degrees. The PGA component is a diploma (level 5) which places it just below the level of a degree. The academic component is presently in line with the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland.

Qualifying learners could follow a career in the following and other sectors in the golf environment:

  • Head Professional at Golf Club usually owner or operator of Golf Shop at the club
  • Golf Coaching/Teacher at Golf Academy, Driving Range or Golf Club
  • Director of Golf at Golf Club responsible for all golfing aspects of club operation
  • Golf Club Manager
  • Rules official and Golf Event Manager

On achieving this Qualification, the learner will:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of and apply basic concepts of Sport Science in a golf coaching and development environment.

  • Skills acquisition concepts are applied to golfing development and coaching.
  • Human anatomical and physiological knowledge is applied to golfing activity.
  • Golfing injuries and their prevention are understood and graded.
  • The role of diet and nutrition in improving golfing performance is understood and used to advance performance of the coach and those being coached.
  • Sports psychology is understood and applied in a golfing environment.
  • Biomechanics is applied to golf movements.

2. Apply basic business management principles to managing a golfing business.

  • Business management concepts are applied to managing own career and personal development.
  • A business plan for a golfing `pro-shop` is developed.
  • Merchandise is purchased and a procurement process is established, implemented and controlled to ensure the financial viability of the shop.
  • Accounting practices and budgeting is performed according to standard accounting principles.

3. Describe and apply the swing theory and coaching skills in golf.

  • The way in which the golf swing is built is understood and taught to clients.
  • Swing faults are analyzed in golf coaching sessions.
  • Techniques in the short game of golf are understood and taught to clients.
  • Coaching skills are applied in teaching golf skills.
  • Building the golf swing is described and taught to clients with a range of abilities.
  • Swing faults are analyzed in golf coaching.
  • Techniques in the short game of golf are described and taught to clients.

4. Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the rules of golf, golf tournaments.

  • The layout and rules of golf in various contexts are understood and applied in golf tournaments.
  • The rules relating to professional and amateur status are understood so as to assist clients not to inadvertently contravene the rules and jeopardise their status.
  • The rules relating to golfing equipment are understood so that only correct equipment is obtained for the pro-shop and clients only sold compliant equipment.
  • The rules relating to the tournament organization and management are understood and applied to golf tournaments.

5. The history of golf, its administration, tournaments, courses and players both past and present and the ethos of the game are understood.

6. Equipment Technology

  • Apply knowledge of equipment technology to equipment repair, golfing characteristics, and customisation. 
  • Golf technology is described and applied in a merchandising and golf workshop environment.

There are a number of pathway options to pursue the academic component in becoming a PGA professional:

Option 1 – Full-time academic study at a university or higher education provider. This will take you three years. At the end of your three years, you would need to do a specific number of hours towards your practical component. Basically these hours are equivalent to a further year’s internship. Some of these hours can be during your full time study. In all this option will take a learner 4 years. At present this option is offered by Pretoria University, Tshwana University of Technology, and ETA in conjunction with Golf School of Excellence

Option 2 – Apprenticeship and distance learning with the PGA of SA. In order to utilise this method, one has to give up your amateur status completely. You work full time in the 'green grass environment' and study the necessary curriculum after hours. Options 1 above is in a formal learning environment where golf is both what you study as well as your extra curriculum activity, similar to the American College system. But what a large majority of people don't realise is that when you go into the golf industry as a pro golfer at a club; you actually play less and less golf. The youngsters who want to be pro golfers think that they are going to play more and more golf, but if you're out playing golf all day, how you going to earn any money? A huge misconception in the industry. It must be noted that the PGA of SA is not a registered provider of education with the South African Department of Education so learners qualifying through this option will not have their “diploma” or academic component listed on the National Qualifications Framework.

The Practical Component

To then become a registered member of the PGA, in addition to the academic component, you have to have completed practical time (internship) under the mentorship of a PGA Professional in a golfing environment, either at a driving range or at a golf club. The American's refer to this as a 'green grass environment'. In order to do your practical time, you have to be at a practical facility i.e. a driving range or a golf course. A good example of someone who works in the golf industry without those accreditations, are golf journalists who don't work specifically in this environment. You would therefore not be able to do your practical component as a golf journalist. Your requirements are to learn the ropes from the head PGA Professional at a specific golf club or driving range.

The Practical Coaching Test

Having completed your practical time and your academic component, you then have the PGA's version of a 'board exam', being a case study where you are given topics to research. Thereafter you are given your final practical examination. This practical examination is a teaching examination whereby you are required to give a lesson on the driving range with an anonymous golfer who could be a 16 handicap golfer with a huge slice problem. You then have to give them, in an official lesson environment, instruction and analysis of their golf swing and identify the problems, including offering practice routines and guidance.

Playing Ability Test

In addition to the practical component, there is also a playing component. You have to undergo a playing ability test. There is little point in studying the academic component, learning to coach but being a competent player yourself. You require a base skill in order to be teaching others.

After you have completed all these components, you become eligible for election as a member of the PGA. This specific membership is accredited with the PGA's of Europe.

 

For further information on any one or all of these options contact Andrew at the PGA of South Africa on Tel 011 485 1370 or email andrew@pgasa.com


Wayne Hugo, Top Graduate of 2009 with and Beau Barnard of Acushnet, sponsors of the prizes for the Top Apprentices of the year and Craig Ross, Chairman of the PGA of SA.