Browse PGM Website

The Ohio State Professional Golf Management Program, a four and a half year college curriculum for aspiring PGA Professionals, provides students the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the golf industry through extensive classroom studies, internship experience and player development.

The OSU Professional Golf Management (PGM) program is designed to provide a world-class educational opportunity for students by combining the academic requirements of The Ohio State University with golf business knowledge and golf aptitude expectations. A career in golf management requires diverse knowledge and skills including finance, personnel management, marketing, food and beverage management, merchandising, plant science, inventory control, lesson planning, individual and group teaching, and social and professional interactions, as well as golf skills. Upon completion of all requirements, students will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture with a major in Professional Golf Management.

The B.Sc. degree in Agriculture with a major in PGM is a comprehensive academic program, which requires students to excel in several disciplines relevant to the golf industry and beyond. For this curriculum, the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences collaborates with the Fisher College of Business, the School of Physical Activities and Educational Services, and the College of Human Ecology to offer a unique multidisciplinary curriculum to provide students with the necessary tools of business, economics, coaching, hospitality management, and turfgrass science to be successful in today’s golf industry.

Salary Trends
Earning potential in the golf industry is directly related to the type of job desired and in many cases, the status of the golf course (public vs. private.) Salaries for assistant golf professionals average about $40,000 while a head pro/general manager position will usually earn between $65-75,000, depending on the course. There are quite a few jobs in the coaching, manufacturing and sales aspects of golf that may fall somewhere in between these ranges as well.

High School Preparation
Students interested in the PGM major should also try to establish a USGA 18-hole golf handicap of 10 or lower. Consistent scoring in this range will best enable the student to pass the Player's Ability Test administered by the PGA of America.

General Education Curriculum Requirements
During the first year at Ohio State, students begin taking courses to satisfy the General Education Curriculum (GEC) requirements. The GEC assures that each student becomes acquainted with the basic areas of academic study. To satisfy the GEC requirements, credit hours must be completed from the following eight areas:

• Writing and related skills
• Quantitative and logical skills
• Foreign language and cultural/international experience
• Social diversity in the United States
• Natural sciences
• Social sciences
• Arts and humanities
• The capstone experience, a course that helps the student integrate all subjects taken in the major