Re: Becoming a Professional Teaching Pro

Check out pga.com they should have the info for you.
Here is one of the links on their site about becoming a pro.
http://www.pga.com/improve/thepgains...instructor.cfm

Re: Becoming a Professional Teaching Pro

Okay, so you want to be a PGA pro. No problem this is how its done:

<1> You have to find a FULL-TIME position with a PGA member
<2> You register as a student member of the PGA in your country
<3> You enter into a contract between yourself, the PGA pro and the PGA to go through the 3-year certification program
<4> During the 3-year certification program you do home study on golfing subjects like: Rules of Golf, Club making and club fittings, club repairs, business management, tournament arrangement, public relations (I'm sorry I can't remember them all now) and you must pass all the subjects within the 3-year period
<5> At the beginning of the 3-year course there's a 7-day resident program where you are interviewed by the PGA, there are classes you have to attend and you must pass 2 exams that week. Firstly the written exam on what you learnt that week and second the player ability test. Depending the PGA country you join but 2 rounds of 74 should do it. (Basically you have to have a scoring diff of 8 or better over the 2 rounds).
<6> You sit annual exams which you must pass
<7> A practical & written exam at the end of the 3 years which tests your overall ability to do the job. They test your knowledge on shop management, running a golf day, being able to teach, being able to fit and repair clubs, etc. etc.

If you pass the 3 year stint then you can apply to become a member of the PGA. Normally if you have worked at a club during the 3 years you apply for "A Class" membership and if you worked at a driving range, academy, golf shop then you apply for "O Class" membership but the A & O change from country to country.

Does this help you?

Now the GTF is an organisation that dedicates itself solely to golf instruction. They don't train club pros, they don't train golf fitters, etc. but having said that - its a very credible and well-organised golfing body. If you want to be a PGA pro to teach, maybe this is an option you should consider for 2 reasons:
<1> it doesn't take 3 years to qualify
<2> its far less expensive and the teacher training and backup is excellent

If I can be of any more help or want me to answer specific questions - let me know by private message or e-mail (graham@kelrosagolf.com).