Teaching Pros, how did you do it?

I was looking at the requirements to become an PGA certified instructor and saw that you had to work full time at a certified Golf course for three years?

How did you do this?  I don't think many golf courses pay a high wage, so I imagine unless you did it when you were a teenager or young adult it would be tough.

Particuarly interested in how someone my age (30) might have managed to pull this off.  Not anywhere close on my golf game to be an instructor but if I did decide to go for something like this as a career I think that requirement would be one of the hardest to pull off for me.

I suppose that is also what I am a bit confused about.  Do you just take any job at any golf course and it counts?

Or do you get a job as an apprentice under a current PGA pro?  Or either?

Thanks for the earlier reply.

Edit:  I found a lot of information on PGA website.  Thank you for the replies.

To be a Class A pro for the PGA of America you must pass a playing ability test, have work experience hours at a golf course, and pass the check point tests which include doing bookwork for the 3 checkpoints. I am in the Professional Management Program (PGM) at Ferris State. We take classes, do internships, and complete the bookwork. Going through a PGM program is perfect if you have not gone to college. If you have I'd suggest entering the apprenticeship program though the PGA. Also realize becoming a pro for the sole purpose of being an instructor is not easy.