One of the nice things about choosing a golf career is that you can go into so many different industries, including the educational one. There are long-term spots where you can demonstrate your skills on an almost daily basis, educate younger golfers, and play the game that you love. We’re going to outline two of the biggest golf instruction careers you can choose when you get your degree from a golf college. Depending on where you live, you could have multiple options available when you graduate.

Golf Instruction Career One – High School Golf Coach

One popular golf career that is widely available throughout the country is a golf coach for the high school golf teams. By the time the kids hit high school age, they usually have the basics of the game and their stances down. The golf coach’s job is to help hone their skills and solidify the player’s techniques.

The responsibilities of a high school golf coach can vary from school to school, but there are usually several core ones that you’ll take on, no matter where you are. You’ll schedule and supervise practice sessions with your team at local golf courses or at the school if they have a dedicated course. Another responsibility is recruiting new players for the golf team as your current players age out and graduate high school. You’ll have to set up and manage a budget for the entire year for your team at the beginning of the year, and this factors in things like trip, travel, uniform, and equipment expenses.

You’ll join your players when they play in tournaments, events, or contests throughout the school year. Another responsibility is having to advise on the uniforms and equipment the school will supply to your players. You want everyone to look uniform and neat when they go out to play because they’ll represent your school. The uniforms will eventually wear out, and they’ll have to be replaced. When you coordinate schedules, you’ll have to work closely with other teachers to ensure no activities run on the same dates and times.

The average salary for a high school golf coach will fluctuate from school to school and state to state, but the national average is $48,681 a year. This can be livable, depending on your location and expenses. Many golf coaches double as physical education teachers as well.

Golf Instruction Career Two – Junior College, College, or University Golf Coach

A second popular golf career is a golf coach at a junior college, college, or university. Kids at this skill level are ready to hone their skills further and get real-world experience playing in a more competitive environment than they got in their lower education years.

You’ll have slightly more responsibilities than you would at a high school level, but the core requirements are the same. You’ll coordinate, coach, and schedule all of your team members with their practice sessions and be present at all of the college golf contests. You’ll recruit new athletes to the golf team while you work alongside the director of admissions, and you’ll help chauffeur the golf team to any events away from the college. Overseeing the yearly budget and recommending uniforms and equipment is another must, and you’ll coordinate and direct all golf tournaments that the college hosts.

One big responsibility is being directly responsible for your team members’ behaviors while they’re at events, no matter if they’re at the college or away from it. You’ll work with other departments to help schedule your practice sessions when it is convenient for your team and ensure that other activities won’t interfere with their ability to play. Grades are usually very important at this stage, so you may have to monitor them and motivate your team if you see people starting to slip.

There is a huge salary range for a college-level golf coach, staring at $40,000 and going up to over $130,000 per year. The bigger universities will most likely pay more than the smaller colleges or junior colleges. However, the competition for these spots is very intense, and it may be a good idea to start at one of the smaller colleges to get experience before trying to go for a bigger position.

Start Your Golf Instruction Career

If you’re ready to start your golf instruction career, start by creating a list of accredited golf colleges. Here, you’ll earn your degree, network, and get all of the experience required to have a long and successful career as a golf coach.