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Education

 Basic education

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Do you want to help newcomers grow into full-fledged players? Do you want to coach students to reach their full potential? Do you want to understand the complexity of the game and be able to guide all players, of all ages and genders, to enjoy their play and teach them skills they specifically need to improve themselves?


This is all attainable and the Royal PGA of Belgium is committed to giving all of its students the tools to understand the huge variety of personalities, morphologies and body characteristics and mobility preferences of all types of players so that they can adapt their teaching skills to the needs of their students.


The program is complex and includes a government-led all-round sports education program and a golf-specific program. In Flanders, the first three levels are coordinated by Golf Vlaanderen & Sport Vlaanderen, in collaboration with teachers from the Royal PGA of Belgium. In Wallonia, they are managed by AFGOLF, in collaboration with ADEPS and the Royal PGA of Belgium.


These courses are offered at 4 certification levels in Flanders and 3 in Wallonia and must be taken together with the first two levels of the state-organized sports education programs in Wallonia, and the first 3 levels in Flanders. The final year is focused on management, computer coaching and marketing for those who want to expand their field in golf.


In order to be better adapted to local and linguistic needs, the Royal PGA of Belgium and the regional golf authorities jointly manage the training plan. In Flanders, students, called Trainees, must register through Golf Vlaanderen for their first 3 levels of training; in Wallonia, Trainees must contact AFGOLF.



We offer up to 4 certification levels:


  • Initiator (coordinated by the regional golf federations)
  • Instructor (Golf Vlaanderen only)
  • PGA Coach (coordinated by the regional golf federations)
  • PGA Professional


At each level, Trainees are certified and given access to some form of compensation. The Initiators are the most restricted as a maximum annual income is set by law by the Government (to be checked annually!) and is tied to a very strict work ethic, which if not respected can result in their exclusion from the golf community at large. Once a Trainee successfully passes their second level of instruction, they become an Instructor and then PGA Coach and can begin their self-employment career (link to the legal aspects of this in both regions) and become fully employed as a teacher & coach.


The Royal PGA of Belgium organizes at the national level the latest level of certification, the PGA Professional level. Courses are in English and trainees must write a thesis, in their preferred language, to earn the title of PGA Professional. At this level, training focuses more on management and marketing aspects of the profession, as well as computer coaching and architecture and course construction.


In addition to this basic education program, the Royal PGA of Belgium organizes an annual continuing education plan covering all topics related to the game of golf. Most of these are open to all enthusiastic amateur golfers, as the topics all relate to the evolution of the game. More under the Continued Education tab.


Golf is a global activity and all our courses are open to all PGAs of the world, so by joining our CPD (Continued Personal Development) courses, all participants can meet pros from neighboring countries and expand their own networks. We are happy to tell all our course participants that they can work with their certifications in all 35 countries that are members of the CPG Confederation of Professional Golf, the former PGAs of Europe!



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blue golf ball near golf hole

How to become INITIATOR



Klik voor meer info bij Golf Vlaanderen.

Cliquez ici pour de plus amples informations chez AFGolf.



How to become INSTRUCTEUR

 

Klik voor meer info bij Golf Vlaanderen.

How to become TRAINER B/PGA COACH

 

Klik voor meer info.
Cliquez ici pour de plus amples informations chez AFGolf.

How to become PGA Professional


To achieve PGA Professional status, candidates must pass 5 theoretical exams and/or assignments in the following subjects and present a final paper on a chosen topic related to golf. A number of mandatory CPD courses must also be taken, which change annually.

  • Management skills applied to golf, by Ben Ooms
    • 4 days theory + written exam
    • 2 internships + reports (administration and shop)
  • How to be self-commercial, by Anthony Otterström
    • 2 days theory
    • Assignment in annual planning
  • Golf Architecture, by Bruno Steensels
    • 2 days theory + written exam
    • Assignment in golf course design
  • Computer Coaching, by Henrik Lundqvist
    • 3 days theory and practical + written exam
  • MBTI & leadership Training + links with ACTIONTYPE
    • 4 days theory + written exam
  • + 2 courses from the Continued Education Programme of the Royal PGA of Belgium.

-> Dates on the Continued Education page

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