About The US Golf Managers Association

A Natural Evolution

The United States Golf Managers Association has a unique history. It is a division of the United States Golf Teachers Federation (USGTF) established in 1989 which incorporates over 25,000 members worldwide. Having trained and certified golf teaching professionals for twenty years, it was a natural evolution to provide golf management seminars for owners, managers, club pros and golf course staff.

Old School Methods

Our three-day seminars are unique in that they provide a much needed service that until now did not exist. Certainly there were the traditional 4–6 year “apprenticeship” programs and 2–4 year college programs that offer degrees in golf club management. Similar to 1989, when the USGTF asked themselves why must one attend a 4–6 year program simply to teach the game——–it made no sense,——we now ask ourselves the same question regarding golf club management. This lengthy procedure only made sense to the certifying bodies, because the longer any entity can stretch out the program, the more revenue generated. And with no competition for years, these programs became more expensive, more time consuming, and entrenched as the norm with no alternatives.

For most people though, this type of education in golf club management was frustrating and seemed to deliberately shroud itself in complexity. We knew that old school education was not keeping pace with technology. These practices were outmoded and the consumer deserved better.

Modern Methods of Learning

Fortunately, the world has changed and education in so many fields has improved. It is no longer necessary to spend this amount of time and money to learn about golf club management. Furthermore, Google’s search engine is one of the greatest advantages in business ever. It has allowed ordinary people the opportunity to gain knowledge more expediently. There is now a freer flow of information and ideas and this information is universally useful.

Our Educational Staff

The United States Golf Managers Association has taken advantage of the incredible talent within the United States Golf Teachers Federation and in doing so, we provide education through instruction from currently employed specialists in golf club management. Our colleagues are open and thoughtful people who share their personal knowledge and insights in golf management. They also feel they have a duty to continue to push the boundaries of golf career development.

In our opinion, you can study for years and years about golf club management, or———-you can manage!

The Truth About Golf Club Management

At the turn of the 20th century, with golf becoming more popular and golf courses becoming more prevalent, the profession of golf club management began to evolve. Although the PGA of America was established in 1916, they did not provide specific education for golf club managers. Instead, they focused on training individuals who ran the pro shop, gave lessons and played golf with the members. Those actually managing golf courses were hired by golf club owners based on their outside business experience in management. Many of these individuals were either past or present golf club members, friends and associates who owners knew and felt comfortable with, or family members. This trend in hiring golf club managers mostly continues to this day.

Over the past 15 years however, more attention to the realm of officially training golf club managers has evolved. This includes some colleges and universities now offering two and three year golf club management courses. And although some of these entities find employment for their students, they are not club management jobs but mostly minimum wage entry level jobs as golf cart personnel, pro shop counter personnel etc. The PGA of America has also jumped on board with golf club management programs as well. The six years of training however, along with the seemingly outrageous costs and annual membership fees certainly deter many worthy candidates.

And do golf club owners necessarily hire these newly appointed golf club manager graduates? In most cases no. The reason being is that these individuals essentially lack any real- life business experience outside of golf. Golf course owners know that club managers require a track record. They must have tremendous people skills and must be able to hire properly, teach, motivate, and inspire their employees. With the majority of golf courses still being managed by local competent business people who golf course owners personally know, feel comfortable with and can trust, it is reasonable to assume that this trend will continue.

Now enter the United States Golf Managers Association. We have always recognized the truth about the hiring practices of golf club owners. We therefore created a three day golf management training seminar that covers every aspect pertinent to the profession. And in order that all participants can relax, learn and enjoy themselves, the seminar is conducted without the pressure of a pass or fail test. Most importantly, the seminar is actually taught by current golf club managers who have an acute understanding of profit and loss and are privy to all the latest information in the golf club management industry.

To learn more about golf club management, enhance your existing club management skills or prepare to enter for the first time a new realm of the golf industry we welcome your participation.

Certified Golf Club Manager®

This term is a United States federal registered trademark owned by the United States Golf Managers Association.

Golf Management

Golf Club Managers Book

100 Tips for Golf Club Managers

Many golf club managers throughout the world continually seek ways to improve and become better at what they do. This new book, "100 Tips for Golf Club Managers," is designed to motivate and educate golf club managers with common sense ideas and insights into the profession. Produced by the United States Golf Managers Association, it is available by contacting the national office in Pt. St. Lucie, Florida at 1-772-335-3820 or email your request to info@usgolfmanagers.com. $19.95

About USGMA

Golf Management By United States Golf Managers

We provide golf management training for Golf Course Owners, Golf Club Managers and Golf Course Personnel

These three-day courses are held in Orlando, FL and Las Vegas, NV. Home study courses are also available with instructional DVD's pertinent to each subject of golf club management.

United States Golf Teachers Federation

1295 SE Port St. Lucie Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, Florida
USA 34952

Golf Teaching Certification by United States Golf Teachers Federation

Golf Managers Association

Certification Course Photos

Are you a Golf Club Manager?

Golf Club Managers Book

100 Tips for Golf Club Managers

The Professional Book

Social Center

Connect With us!

Latest Posts

Your Golf Course in an App

A Fresh Look At Marketing Golf Competitions

Teaching Women Golfers

About USGMA

Golf Management By United States Golf Managers

United States Golf Teachers Federation