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"PGA Professional" - definition ??

inthehole

By inthehole
in Golf Talk

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inthehole Great Member

inthehole

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I've always wondered - seems every Dicks Sporting Goods store or pro shop we go into, they have a "PGA Professional" on staff.    Dicks advertises they have "over 450 PGA Professionals".      What exactly does it entail to be a "PGA Professional" ?    Do they have to compete a certain amount to maintain their PGA Professional standing ??      Clearly, all these guys can't be tour caliber ... thanks.

John

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sssam Member

sssam

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I suspect it's anyone who's an accredited PGA pro, whether touring or teaching. Possibly ex-tour pros (no matter how briefly) also use it?


wmiller Well Established Member

wmiller

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One is taught and licensed by the pga to teach, the other a playing professional. Few teaching pros are anywhere near good enough to be a playing professional. I've managed to beat a few, and I'm a weekend hack.

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Fourputt Incredible Member

Fourputt

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Originally Posted by inthehole

I've always wondered - seems every Dicks Sporting Goods store or pro shop we go into, they have a "PGA Professional" on staff.    Dicks advertises they have "over 450 PGA Professionals".      What exactly does it entail to be a "PGA Professional" ?    Do they have to compete a certain amount to maintain their PGA Professional standing ??      Clearly, all these guys can't be tour caliber ... thanks.



You may be confusing the PGA Tour with the PGA of America.  They are separate entities.  The PGA of America is composed of club pros and teaching professionals who have met the requirements for certification.  They are teachers and golf course and pro shop managers.  They need never have competed in anything more demanding than the players ability test.

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Rick

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inthehole Great Member

inthehole

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Originally Posted by Fourputt

You may be confusing the PGA Tour with the PGA of America.  They are separate entities.  The PGA of America is composed of club pros and teaching professionals who have met the requirements for certification.  They are teachers and golf course and pro shop managers.  They need never have competed in anything more demanding than the players ability test.



OK - thanks guys, that clears it up - didn't know there were two PGA entities...

John

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iacas Hall of Fame Member

iacas

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Originally Posted by inthehole

OK - thanks guys, that clears it up - didn't know there were two PGA entities...


Yup. Heck, I'm a PGA Apprentice. I'm not going out on Tour any time soon. ;-)

Also worth noting: the PGA Tour is still related to the PGA. The PGA owns the PGA Tour name, logo, etc. and licenses it (or something) to the PGA Tour. Has been that way since they split and formed the "Tournament Players Division" or whatever it was called.

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SVTGolfer Dedicated Member

SVTGolfer

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Sweet! So its just a certification. Im gonna get one then… Hahaha

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sssam Member

sssam

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Spoke about this with the pro at my course recently (this is in the UK bear in mind - may be different in the US) and apparently it's pretty straightforward. Anyone with a handicap of 4 or less can become a member of PGA. Just fill out the forms, relinquish your amateur status and away you go.


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