PGA Jobs Board - "Training Applicant/Registered Assistant"

[RossOliver]

Hello,

I'm hoping to work at a golf course or driving range next year - I'm finishing a degree in Computer Science at St Andrews University and took up golf in my penultimate year (wish I didn't leave it so late in my degree!). My aim is to work at some sort of golfing institute for a year to improve my game to a point where I can take (and ideally pass) the PGA playing ability test.

My question is, I was looking at the PGA jobs board and see plenty of opportunities as a "Training Applicant/Registered Assistant". To apply for these posts am I expected to have already passed the PAT? I can't find information about this on their website and the general route to becoming an instructor remains unclear to me. Do you pass the PAT before applying to be an assistant for the three years? and is this assistants post what is advertised on the PGA jobs board, or is it more of a general position that doesn't require you to already be a ~4 handicapper?

Thanks for your time,

-Ross

[Taggsy]

I'd assumed you didn't need to be particularly good at golf to initially become an assistant.
At one of the courses I occasionally play, I've seen the head instructor give the assistants lessons on the range; they're not much to look at.
The downside to becoming an assistant is it's poorly paid, and you'd be expected to spend most of your time in the pro shop, not out on the course practicing.

The other route to becoming an instructor would be to get your handicap down to 4-ish, and then go to Birmingham University. Their degree in Golf Management is the only one in this country affiliated with the PGA and leads to attaining PGA professional status.
http://www.golf.bham.ac.uk/

But then is it worth getting another degree and all those student debts (assuming you paid tuition fees up in Scotland the first time around ;)

Either way, best of luck to you- keep us updated on what you choose!

[RossOliver]

Thanks for your input - unfortunately I'm not Scottish so student fees apply to me ...

My current golf pro did the Birmingham golf degree - it doesn't really appeal to me though as I'm not a huge fan of the place, not sure if I could muster up the will to stay there for three years! The ideal situation would be to do an assistants job part-time, hopefully getting a discount on frequent lessons and maybe the membership fees and to do freelance computer work on the side to make some extra cash. I've noticed a lot of the job advertisements state 'computer literate' - so at least my degree will count for something (as small as it may be...). I'll have a go at applying to some of the positions on the PGA website and see how I get on - it doesn't mention anything in the job description about a required handicap so hopefully I will be eligible...

Cheers,

-Ross