Become a volunteer coach
Support the delivery of coaching in your club by assisting a more qualified coach.
Routes to becoming a volunteer coach
Through The PGA’s training and education programmes, there are two routes to learn more about coaching.
Option 1
Go through the PGA’s Training Programme to become a PGA Professional. Coaching and Sports Science sit within a wider array of subject area that lead to becoming a PGA Professional.
Option 2
Start with the ASQ awarded Coaching Qualifications (L1 upwards) and become a licensed volunteer assistant coach, helping grow the game through your actions, whilst maintaining your amateur status (a requirement for playing amateur golf at club, county or national/international level).
The various stages are all mapped out below.
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Being a volunteer coach
Volunteer coaches should be:
- Supporting the delivery of coaching in their club or area through assisting a more qualified coach.
- Recruited to assist or work alongside PGA Professionals in clubs or areas where there is a specified need for coaching.
- Operating within their coach licence*; obtained once they have completed the coaching qualification. Any breach of this will result in the coaching license being withdrawn.
- Abiding by the R&A’s Rules of Amateur Status and not receiving payment for their coaching activity
Successfully completing an ASQ Level 1 qualification and becoming licensed to operate as a volunteer assistant coach is not a short cut to becoming a PGA Professional. The Volunteer and Professional pathways are completely separate; at no point along the Volunteer pathway is there a transition point leading to becoming a PGA Member.
Requirements to becoming a coach
In order to obtain a Volunteer Golf Coach Licence (L1 or 2) you will need to evidence that you have:
- Successfully completed the appropriate ASQ coaching qualification.
- A valid and enhanced DBS check (England and Wales), or Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) (Scotland), Access NI (Northern Ireland) or Garda Vetting (Ireland)
- A valid Child Protection Certificate (e.g. sports coach UK, Children 1st, NI Sports Council (Sport Northern Ireland) or Irish Sports Council Safeguarding and Protecting Children).
PGA Assistant Professionals
Please note that PGA Assistant Professionals enrolled on to the three-year PGA Training Programme undertake coaching qualifications at Levels 1 and 2 as part of their training.
The initial course fees for both Level 1 and 2 are included within their Training Programme fees. Refunds cannot be given to anyone who completes either level prior to enrolment on to the PGA’s Training programme.
Coaching Levels
ASQ Level 1 Award in Coaching Golf
The ASQ Level 1 Award in Coaching Golf will provide individuals with the knowledge and competence to assist more qualified coaches, delivering aspects of golf coaching sessions, normally under direct supervision.
ASQ Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Golf
The ASQ Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Golf will provide individuals with the knowledge and competence to lead the planning and delivery of coaching sessions to improving golfers.
ASQ Level 3 – applications currently closed
ASQ Level 3 is in the process of being reviewed and developed to support and develop coaches as effectively as possible. The detail and structure this qualification will be subject to review and change going forward.
PGA Level 4 Certificate in Coaching Golf –
PGA Level 4 is in the process of being reviewed and developed to support and develop coaches as effectively as possible.
University of Birmingham Coaching Courses
As the Level 3 and Level 4 applications are currently closed, please contact The PGA at coaching@pga.org.uk
if you are considering enrolling on to any of the University of Birmingham courses, in order that we can offer you a realistic timeframe for progression on to a L3 or L4 PGA qualification.
Advanced Certificate in Golf Coaching
Become a high quality coach with this advanced qualification…
PG Dip/MSc in Sport Coaching
Develop skills to evaluate new developments/theory.
