Assistant Golf Professional Guide (Good Salary?)

Golfers all around the world dream of finding roles within golf clubs. One such job at courses is that of the assistant golf professional. But what exactly does this role entail? And how do you successfully apply for it?

The good news is that the role of the assistant golf professional is interesting and varied, and it’s attractive to lots of people.

So, in this article, we take a look at what you can expect from the role and how to increase your chances of landing the job that you so desire.

What is an Assistant Golf Professional?

As the title suggests, the assistant golf professional works together with the head professional to deliver service to a golf club’s clients. The role of the assistant is varied, and their day-to-day responsibilities are likely to include a range of tasks related to golf.

An assistant pro will be responsible for things like stocking the pro shop, making bookings for members and visitors, and offering advice and guidance to golfers on various aspects of the game. Some assistant pros may even deliver golf lessons with the pro.

Overall, if you’re a passionate golfer and are looking for work within the industry, the role of assistant golf professional could be a good fit for you, as we explain below.

What’s it Like Being an Assistant Golf Pro?

Working as an assistant golf professional can be an excellent way to earn a living. It’s also an excellent role to hold if you’re hoping to make it as a head pro or PGA Tour pro in the future, as it provides you with excellent experience working with club golfers.

The role is typically extremely varied and offers lots of opportunities for personal development. You get to work on your customer service skills in the pro shop and have the chance to hone your teaching skills as you deliver lessons with the head pro.

The fact that you get to talk about golf all day with members and visitors is another advantage of working as an assistant golf pro, as it allows you to work on something you’re extremely passionate about.

So, if you have the opportunity to apply for a job as an assistant golf pro, we’d absolutely recommend taking it. Should your application be successful, you get to work in an industry that you love, and you have a great opportunity to progress your career in golf.

How Do You Become a PGA Assistant Professional?

The first thing you need to do is to identify job opportunities in your local area. You can use a job board like Zip Recruiter to discover the latest postings of PGA assistant professionals in your state, as it’s a great way to find current opportunities.

If you can’t find anything on Zip Recruiter or any other job boards, it’s worth reaching out and contacting golf courses directly. Bear in mind that golf jobs are often seasonal, so you might have more luck contacting clubs just before the golf season starts.

In order to become an assistant professional, you will need to have the right experience. You will probably need proof that you have worked at a golf course before, and some employers require some form of accreditation from the PGA.

This isn’t always the case, but it’s worth reading the job description before applying. More generally, you will need to show that you have a passion for golf and are interested in pursuing a career in the sport.

What Skills Do You Need to be an Assistant Golf Professional?

To be a successful assistant golf professional, you will need the following skills:

• Golf: It might sound obvious, but you will have to be a skilled golfer to land this position. Some courses might have handicap requirements, while others may ask for accreditation from the PGA.
• Customer service: One of the most important parts of your role as an assistant golf professional is customer service. You will need to show that you’re great at dealing with customers and have experience in this regard.
• Organization: As an assistant golf professional, you will need to show that you’re well organized. This is because you will be required to carry out multiple tasks simultaneously, and you will need to make bookings and liaise with different departments.

In addition to these core skills, you will need to show that you’re a self-starter and willing to learn. It’s also important that you’re a team player, as you will need to form a close bond with the head professional in order to do your job.

Make sure your CV shows these key skills as well as any qualifications and experience you think are relevant to the role that you’re applying for.

What Is the Average Salary for an Assistant Golf Professional?

According to data from Salary.com*, the average salary for assistant golf professionals in the United States is $34,557. As is the case with all jobs, the salary you’re offered will be dependent on your location, as some states pay higher than others.

* wwww.salary.com/assistant-golf-pro-salary

Also, you might be able to command a higher salary than this if you’re experienced and highly skilled. For instance, if you have an accreditation with the PGA of America and have worked at golf clubs previously, you have more chance of negotiating a better salary.

Another thing to remember is that most people work as assistant golf professionals with a view to being appointed as head professional in the near future.

So, although the salary is relatively modest, you can use the position as a stepping stone as you seek to land a head pro job at a golf course in the future.

Assistant Golf Pro Jobs: is it Competitive?

Just like most golf course jobs, the role of assistant golf pro is competitive. After all, lots of people aspire to work in golf, and the position of assistant pro is a great way to hone your skills and progress up the career ladder.

Therefore, before applying for a role at a golf course near you, you need to make sure that your resume is on point. Consider what is required of all applicants and make it clear that you meet the eligibility requirements.

You should also work hard to improve your golf game and start an accreditation with the PGA of America if you haven’t done so already. Ultimately, it’s best to prepare for the role as best as you can before submitting an application.

Assistant Golf Professional Job Description: What Should It Contain?

A job description for the role of assistant golf professional should contain a detailed list of the duties and responsibilities of the assistant, with a focus on the activities they’re required to perform.

The description should include tasks like:

• Making bookings for visitors and members
• Providing customer service to all golfers
• Helping the head professional with lessons
• Performing club repairs and fittings
• Offering golf advice to members

As well as the above tasks, the description should detail any specific roles that the club wishes the assistant pro to perform, which might not be typical of that of an assistant.

Golf Assistant Pro: Helpful Resume and Cover Letter Tips

When you’re applying for any job, ensuring your resume and cover letter are of a high standard will stand you in good stead. Some of our top tips include:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to the job description. You shouldn’t use the same documents for every application you make, so be sure to customize your application before submitting it.
• Always proofread your application and check it for errors. Although a small step, grammatical errors don’t look good on your resume and will be a red flag for potential employers.
• Resist the temptation to lie or get creative with the truth. You need to make sure that everything you include in your application is actually true, or you will likely embarrass yourself at the interview.
• Make sure you cover all bases and show your potential employer that you have what they’re looking for. Instead of making them read between the lines, show the employer why you’re the perfect person for the role in question.

If you follow these handy tips, there’s a good chance that your application will be accepted, and you will have a shot at an interview.

Conclusion

Working as an assistant golf professional is an exciting role for anyone who is passionate about golf. The job itself is extremely varied, and your day-to-day responsibilities and duties ensure you don’t get bored easily at work.

If you think you have the right skills and experience, we wish you the best of luck as you apply for the role of assistant golf professional, and we hope that you take your first steps towards a career in the golf industry.