I have questions about the PAT?

Question

How old must you be to take it? I'm 14. Is being a golf instructor a well paying job? What must I shoot? Will I regret this job later in life?

Answer 1

Here are 6 easy steps to becoming a professional golf instructor (you DO need to be certified):

Step1.

Learn as much as you can about the game. Practice to improve your own abilities and to be able to teach others later on. If you have the option of training a friend or an acquaintance, it can be a great way to get a feel for what the job will be like and to see whether or not you actually enjoy it.

Step2.

Invest in training videos and books if you want to learn more about the career itself before you pay to become a certified instructor. You can find appropriate material online, at sport shops or even at your local library.

Step3.

Contact the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America (PGTAA) to find out about their certification requirements. They are considered the top organization in their field when it comes to certifying professional golf instructors and offer workshops year round in several states.

Step4.

Choose a face-to-face workshop if you want direct contact with other professionals, but keep in mind that most professional golf instructor courses require a minimum of 5 days of attendance and are usually held only in certain states, such as Nevada and Florida. If you live far away, you will have to factor in the costs of travel and lodging in addition to the price of the course itself.

Step5.

Choose a home-study course if you have previous knowledge of the sport and there are no other options available where you live. Distance courses are also cheaper, so it may be the best option if you cannot afford to pay for a face-to-face workshop.

Step6.

Be ready to showcase your talents. Before you can become a professional golf instructor, you will need to present a scorecard of a game played, where you scored 83 or less (85 or less for women) on a professional course that is at least 6,000 yards long.

There you have it!  Easy, huh?

Also...you MAY ask, "What happens if one does NOT pass the playing ability portion of the course? Can that person still become certified?

Answer - There are two conditions:

1. Provided you have passed the written and teaching sections of the 5 day on-site course (or achieve at least 85% on the written exam of the home study course) including the Rules of Golf Section of the course and you are within 4 strokes of the target s core, you may, upon returning home and within a 12-month period, submit to the PGTAA, 4 attested score cards of 83 or less on any championship course (6,000+ yards). These score cards must be attested by any three individuals along with their scores on th e same card, plus signed by the local professional: a total of 4 signatures. The fee for this is $50.

2. Provided you have passed the written and verbal teaching sections of the 5 day on-site course (or the written section of the home study course), including the Rules of Golf Section, but your combined score is beyond 4 strokes of the target score, then the following scenario to upgrade your certification is required:

You must return to any PGTAA certification course within a 12-month period and successfully redo only the PAT portion. The administrative fee is $200, which includes green and cart fees. Accommodations, if needed, can be arranged at an extra cost.

Okay, you asked!  Good luck & keep your head down, left arm straight, knees bent...