Seek Out a PGA Professional for Golf Advice That’s Certified

While I appreciate The Times making the effort to differentiate between the individuals who call themselves golf professionals and those who are PGA professionals (“Teaching Wedge,” April 5), I feel it’s necessary to clarify several points.

Electing to become a PGA professional is a lifelong commitment. To begin an apprenticeship, aspiring professionals must pass a playing ability test and pass all three levels of the Golf Professional Training Program which is approximately a four- to five-year commitment. Once a PGA member, professionals must maintain their standing throughout their career by completing ongoing education and service requirements.

Through this program, the PGA of America ensures that its professionals are receiving the broadest and most extensive training available, thus creating a more well-rounded golf professional. Individuals who are calling themselves “golf professionals” without having gone through the program have had none of this training. What is even more troubling is that they operate without any guidance or standards to ensure quality.

The reference in the story to professionals being forced to “work 40 hours a week for $5 an hour” is greatly exaggerated. Although jobs such as the one referred to in the article exist, the average salary for a PGA apprentice is between $26,000 and $28,000 a year, which is not bad for what is considered an entry-level position. In addition, apprentices are welcome to teach as much or as little as they want, as long as they are working under a PGA member.

While we would never disparage the credentials of other golf professionals, we have to stand behind PGA professionals as the leaders in the game of golf. We encourage anyone who is looking for golf instruction to take the time to interview their potential golf instructor, but keep this thought in mind. Unless the professional is a PGA professional, you have no way of truly knowing what the individual has done to deserve the title of golf professional.

TOM GUSTAFSON

Executive Director, Southern California PGA