Golf is a fantastic sport that you can pick up young and play for the rest of your life. You might think unless you have a professional level stroke, the game can only be a hobby.
However, this is not the case. A PGA card is not the only way to make a paycheck from the game. There are many golf jobs that can keep you close to the sport. Furthermore, these occupations can develop into careers to keep you involved with golf full time.
So, if you are constantly thinking fairways and greens, read on to discover five golf careers that you should know about.
Rules Official
The NFL, NBA, and MLB all have refs who are imperative to the sport. You may not have realized it, but the PGA also needs rule officials to keep the ball rolling.
If this route sounds interesting, remember, you need to be a true student of the game. The Professional Golf Association rule book consists of 24 line items. That sounds simple, but there are nuances for each course.
Pick up a copy of the player’s edition rules of golf to gather a better understanding.
The PGA level of officiating means traveling to the tournaments, working with players, and walking courses. Not too shabby, huh?
Caddy
Despite what you see on TV, caddies don’t just tote around clubs. They have an important role as advisors for the players. Caddies need to have a strong background in playing golf. Their knowledge includes club selection, hole distance, and shot choice.
Many players develop long time relationships, trusting their caddies implicitly.
At the professional level, caddies earn a percentage of the tournament purse.
Club Technician
The technology of golf clubs is always evolving. If you think you are interested in the engineering of equipment, consider this career. Shaft, grips, and head types make up a club.
Every player has different specifications for what they like to use. Designing a set for a specific player has its challenges.
There is something to be said about being able to repair and upgrade your own clubs as well.
General Manager of a Course
There are more than 15,000 golf courses in America and they all need general managers. This is a good gig if you are business-minded. As a manager, you are responsible for all aspects of your course.
Course maintenance is the most important aspect of this job. However, a manager is also responsible for staff, club operations, and member retention.
This sounds overwhelming, but imagine the pride in maintaining and marketing a beautiful course.
Course Architect
Remember those 15,000+ golf course? Well someone had to be responsible for building them all. A golf course architect is one of the most interesting of all the golf careers.
As an architect, you are responsible for designing a course from the ground up. Architects should have a background in landscape architecture. Topography, hole layout, and facility location play a part in creating these living works of art.
If this job strikes your interest, take a look at Augusta National in Georgia. This is widely considered to be one of the greatest courses in the world.
Golf Careers for Any Background
These are only a few of the golf careers you should know about. There are tons more opportunities out there for any expertise. Make your hobby your life by pursuing a career in golf.
If you enjoyed this article, keep an eye on the blog for more career ideas.
