LEvel 1, 2 & 3

PGM 3.1 Associate Program Details

Those following the PGA Associate pathway will need to satisfy all requirements to register as a PGA Associate, including the PGA Playing Ability Test requirements, the PGM Qualifying Level Content and Quizzes, the background check and eligible employment at a PGA-Recognized Golf Facility.

Access the PGA PGM Associate Mentoring Guide here.

Qualifying Level

• Register for Qualifying LevelComplete Qualifying Level Courses and related quizzes:

  • Introduction to the PGA PGM

  • History of the PGA

  • The PGA Constitution

  • The Rules of Golf A

  • Career Enhancement A

• Document qualifying Playing Ability Test score

• Document eligible employment

• Register and purchase Level 1 materials and online access (click here to view and/or download PGA PGM Program curriculum information)

PGA PGM Level 1

• Applicants pay associate fees and Level 1 online courses fees. Pre-seminar activities should be completed prior to attending Level 1 seminars.

• Teaching and Coaching 1: Core content on learning, teaching, elements of the game, club performance, and player development with emphasis on beginning players.

• Facility Management 1: Core content about business, customer service, and key operations at golf facilities.

• Pre-Seminar Activities: PGA Associates are encouraged to complete and document pre-seminar activities before attending the seminars. These activities are designed to facilitate discussions during seminar learning activities.

• Seminars: The seminars last a total of five days, offered virtually only.

  • Level 1 Virtual Seminar FAQ

• Work Experience Portfolio: The work experience portfolio emphasizes activities linked to on-the-job application and performance. These activities include a combination of subject-specific tasks and integrated projects that PGA Associates complete at each level.

• Quizzes: PGA Associates must pass quizzes throughout the content for each course before moving on to the next course. The quizzes will be comprised of multiple-choice and true/false items.

Level 2

• Golf Operations Track: Application of The PGA business and customer relations models in the context of multiple operations. Application of content linked to learning, teaching, elements of the game, club performance, with an emphasis on intermediate players.

• Teaching and Coaching Track: Application of content linked to learning, teaching, elements of the game, club performance, with an emphasis on intermediate players.

• Executive Management Track: Executive Management provides leadership, hospitality and organizational structure while strategically managing the entire enterprise.

• Pre-Seminar Activities: PGA Associates are encouraged to complete and document pre-seminar activities before attending the seminars. These activities are designed to facilitate discussions during seminar learning activities.

• Seminars: The seminars last a total of five days at PGA Frisco.

  • Level 2 Executive Management Seminar FAQ (coming soon)

  • Level 2 Teaching & Coaching Seminar FAQ (coming soon)

  • Level 2 Golf Operations Seminar FAQ (coming soon)

• Work Experience Portfolio: The work experience portfolio emphasizes activities linked to on-the-job application and performance. These activities include a combination of subject-specific tasks and integrated projects that PGA Associates complete at each level.

• Quizzes: PGA Associates must pass quizzes throughout the content for each course before moving on to the next course. The quizzes will be comprised of multiple-choice and true/false items.

Level 3

• Golf Operations Track: Integration of critical business, customer relations, supervision, and operational functions from a management perspective. Integrated perspective of business aspects, learning, teaching, elements of the game, club fitting and physical performance with emphasis on advanced players. Includes a team focused management simulation consisting of integrating operations and management functions.

• Teaching and Coaching Track: Integrated perspective of business aspects, learning, teaching, elements of the game, club fitting and physical performance with emphasis on advanced players

• Executive Management Track: Executive Management provides leadership, hospitality and organizational structure while strategically managing the entire enterprise. Includes a team focused management simulation consisting of integrating operations and management functions.

• Pre-Seminar Activities: PGA Associates are encouraged to complete and document pre-seminar activities before attending the seminars. These activities are designed to facilitate discussions during seminar learning activities.

• Seminars: The seminars last a total of five days at PGA Frisco.

  • Level 3 Executive Management Seminar FAQ (coming soon)

  • Level 3 Teaching & Coaching Seminar FAQ (coming soon)

  • Level 3 Golf Operations Seminar FAQ (coming soon)

• Work Experience Portfolio: The work experience portfolio emphasizes activities linked to on-the-job application and performance. These activities include a combination of subject-specific tasks and integrated projects that PGA Associates complete at each level.

• Quizzes: PGA Associates must pass quizzes throughout the content for each course before moving on to the next course. The quizzes will be comprised of multiple-choice and true/false items.

• Comprehensive Knowledge Test: Associates must pass a comprehensive knowledge test before earning PGA Membership. The test will be comprised of multiple-choice and true/false items.

• PGA Standards, Criteria and Content

• Pricing (Level and Seminar)

• Requirements (attendance, employment, etc.)

• Mentoring by PGA Faculty

• Application-based Work Experience Portfolio