Those following the apprentice pathway are not considered PGA apprentices until they satisfy all requirements at the Qualifying Level and register as an apprentice. To register as a PGA apprentice, participants must pass the PGA Playing Ability Test, pass the Qualifying Test, and be eligibly employed at a PGA Recognized Golf Facility. Level 1 courses will not be made available through the PGA Knowledge Center until individuals register as PGA apprentices. Apprentices must maintain eligible employment throughout the PGA PGM Program.

Qualifying Level

• Applicants must complete three online courses: Introduction to the PGM and the Golf Profession, PGA History and Constitution, and Rules of Golf 1 and pass a knowledge test based on the three courses prior to registering as a PGA Apprentice.

Click here to view and/or download PGA PGM 2.0 curriculum information (for apprentices registered after Jan. 1, 2010).

To purchase access ($200) to the PGA PGM 2.0 Qualifying Level courses, click here.

PGA PGM Level 1

• Applicants who have passed the qualifying courses, met the eligible employment requirement and have a qualifying PAT score may register into the PGA Apprentice Program.
• Applicants pay apprentice fees and Level 1 online courses fees. The online courses include a self-directed course and pre-seminar courses. These courses must be completed before the apprentice attends Level 1 classes.
• Golf Car Fleet Management is a self-directed course and pre-seminar courses are: Customer Relations, Introduction to Teaching/Club Performance, Business Planning and Tournament Operations.

Level 1 Classes

• Apprentices attend five days of Level 1 seminars at the PGA Education Center on the following courses: Customer Relations, Intro to Teaching/Club Performance, Business Planning and Tournament Operations.
• Apprentices return home and test on these courses through a computer-based testing agency.

Level 2

• After passing Level 1 knowledge tests, the apprentice pays a Level 2 online courses access fee. These courses must be completed before the Apprentice attends Level 2 Classes.
• Turfgrass Management is a self-directed course and the pre-seminar courses are: Golf Operations, Intermediate Teaching/Club Alteration, and Merchandising and Inventory Management
• Apprentices attend five days of Level 2 seminars at the PGA Education Center. Golf Operations, Intermediate Teaching/Club Alteration, and Merchandising and Inventory Management.
• Apprentices return home and test on these courses through a computer-based testing agency.

Level 3

• After passing Level 2 knowledge tests, the apprentice pays a Level 3 online courses access fee. These courses must be completed before the apprentice attends Level 3 classes.
• Food and Beverage, Human Resources and Career Enhancement are self-directed courses. The pre-seminar courses are: Advanced Teaching/Golf Club Fitting, Player Development/Teaching Business, and Supervising and Delegating.
• Apprentices return to the PGA Education Center for five days and attend seminars on Advanced Teaching/Golf Club Fitting, Player Development/Teaching Business, Supervising and Delegating and participate in the Final Experience.
• Apprentices return home and test on these courses through a computer-based testing agency. Apprentices who have passed all tests, the Player Ability Test and have earned 36 education/work experience credits are elected to PGA Membership.

PGA PGM 2.0

• Qualifying Level courses and tests must be completed prior to registration into the PGA apprentice program. Applicants who have met the eligible employment requirements and have passed the PAT or PAT qualifier will register online through the learning management portal.

Effective July, 2010

• PGA PGM 2.0 Level 1 seminars conducted at the PGA Education Center.

Effective July 2011

• PGA PGM 2.0 Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 seminars conducted at the PGA Education Center.

Transition

• PGA PGM 1.0 Level 1 Checkpoints will be conducted through December, 2011.
• If Level 1 apprentices do not attend a checkpoint by the above date, they will transfer into the PGA PGM 2.0 program and must pay a transfer fee to access the Qualifying Courses and the Level 1 pre-seminar courses. Apprentices would be required to take the qualifying test and complete the pre-seminar courses before they attend the new PGA PGM Level 1 seminars at the PGA Education Center.
• PGA PGM 1.0 Level 2 Checkpoints will be conducted though June, 2013.
• PGA PGM 1.0 Level 3 Checkpoints will be conducted through June, 2014.