pro
A pro is a golf teacher or professional player who earns a living from golf.
The pro is the expert at the facility. Two roles are distinguished: the teaching pro gives lessons and looks after the members, the playing pro plays tournaments for prize money. In many clubs the head pro takes on both, plus the organisation of the pro shop and the club office. Training in Germany runs through the PGA. Anyone who carries the title has completed several years of training with a sporting and a commercial examination. That is exactly what distinguishes him from the amateur, who may not accept prize money.
For you as a golfer, the pro is the first point of contact when it comes to learning. An example: you have been playing for a year and your irons feel unstable. You book an hour, the pro films your swing and shows you a source of error in the backswing. After a few practice sessions the ball flies steadily again. The course towards the course certificate is almost always run by a pro or his team. Many pros also offer club fitting and bag checks.
A common misconception: pro does not equal tour player. Most pros never play on a major tour but work in the club every day. Conversely, not every good player is a pro. Anyone who accepts prize money above the permitted limit as an amateur loses their amateur status. The difference therefore lies less in ability than in status: the pro earns money from the sport, the amateur does not.
FAQ
When is an hour with the pro worth it?
As soon as you are stuck on a performance plateau or a mistake keeps recurring that you cannot see yourself. A pro recognises causes in one hour that would take you months on your own. Before buying clubs, too, a fitting with the pro is money well invested.
How do I recognise whether someone is a pro or an amateur?
By status, not by playing level: the pro earns money from the sport, the amateur may not accept prize money above the permitted limit. So an amateur can play better than some pros and still remain an amateur. In Germany, PGA training identifies the professional.
How do I find the right pro for my lessons?
Ask for a trial lesson and pay attention to whether the pro answers your questions clearly instead of just reciting technique. Every qualified pro has completed PGA training; the difference lies in the style of teaching. Anyone who looks after beginners should also have experience with course certificate courses.