PGA QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL SINCE 2005
"Coaches play a crucial role in the development of golf and also in the lives of the golfers they coach"
Jamie Garner is a fully Qualified Level III PGA Professional. He graduated in 2005 and achieved a Merit in the PGA Diploma Degree.
The PGA and the PGA Diploma Qualification
The PGA, on behalf of the sport of golf, leads on the development of coach education and training. A full review of the existing coach education structure, following guidance from the quality standards of the UK Coaching Certificate, has lead to the establishment of a new, coach-centered education system that meets the needs of coaches and, ultimately, players.
The finished pathway (which is still somewhat under development) will include a range of qualifications to support novice to expert coaches based on the following descriptors:
What the qualified coach will be able to do:
Level 1
Assist more qualified coaches, delivering aspects of coaching sessions, normally under direct supervision
Level 2
Prepare for, deliver and review coaching session(s)
Level 3
Plan, implement, analyse and revise annual coaching programmes
Level 4
Design, implement and evaluate the process and outcome of long-term/specialist coaching programmes
The Level 1 qualification is a basic introduction to coaching that enables volunteers or Assistant Professionals to help a more qualified coach (e.g. a Head Professional) deliver sessions to beginners. For example assisting in the delivery of a series of junior sessions in which the senior coach needs assistance due to large numbers in a group.
The qualifications at Levels 3 and Level 4 are aimed at ambitious coaches looking to expand their skills and knowledge on their development journey towards becoming an expert coach within their chosen field. A coach at Level 3 will be expected to be able to produce, deliver and evaluate holistic annual, periodised coaching plans for individual golfers. These plans will consider all aspects of that players' game, including the science behind golfing performance. The Level 4 qualification, (the pinnacle of the coach education pathway), will require coaches to adopt a critical approach to coaching and apply postgraduate research methods and thinking to their performance and behaviour as a coach.
How to become a PGA Professional