Education & Further Education

Our motto - "Growing the Game"

A cornerstone for successful coaching is the three year education undertaken by every PGA professional, which is finished with the successful completion of the comprehensive final examinations.

In order for coaching to remain successful knowledge must be continually broadened and matched to the demands of the golf market.

The Swiss PGA offers a wide range of possibilities of further education including courses from the ministry of sport (official diploma), the ASG (masterclasses) and further education days organised by the Swiss PGA.

In addition the association recruits the help from many of the worlds leading experts in golf to pass on their experiences and knowledge to our members – helping them to then further improve the coaching of their clients.

The education program "Swiss PGA Golf Director" is open to all golf professionals and interested amateurs. The program is also valuable to active golf club managers who want to bring their skills up to date. In a 3-semester course participants acquire the basics for a successful Golf Club management, i.e. in the areas of

• strategy
• leadership
• human resources
• finance
• project management
• law
• marketing.

The program is offered in cooperation with the Association Suisse de Golf (ASG) and the Association Swiss Golf Managers (ASGM).

As a prerequisite for admission to the program one of the following qualifications must be met:

• Successful completion of a commercial apprenticeship
• Successful completion of a business training
• Successful completion of a comparable professional qualification
• Successful completion of the Swiss PGA Professional
• 5 years experience in leading position
• Six years of professional experience on a golf resort

Additionally the participants must proof a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the golf industry as well as proof of knowledge of golf and tournament organization and golf rules.

Different methodological approaches will be applied:

• seminar classes
• case studies and practical examples
• group work
• software-based tools
• video analysis
• virtual learning units

A thesis completes the course. The theme is determined by the participant and based on his own experience in the area of golf and golf club management.

Diploma
To receive the diploma "Swiss PGA Golf Director" all modules GD1 - GD12, virtual learning units, transfer project and thesis must be successfully passed.

Course fee

• 1. Semester CHF 5'500.-
• 2. Semester CHF 5'500.-

In the course fee the following costs are included: teaching material, tools, checklists (everything including electronically), coaching for the transfer project and the virtual learning units, fees for the transfer project and the thesis.

Course Duration

• 2 semesters of 10 days plus thesis (148 lessons)
• 120 Lessons for virtual learning units
• 122 lessons Transfer Project
• 122 Lessons for Thesis Course language

Course Language
English

Venue
The training sessions are held at different golf courses in Switzerland.

Documents for download:

• Weiterbildung Golfmanagement "Swiss PGA Golf Director" Curriculum Spgd De
• Application Form 2018 Application Form Spgd
• Registrations: New course starts in November 2018 (application form filled out complete -> has to be send to: info@swisspga.ch)

Further Information:

Swiss PGA, Irene Oberländer, General Secretary +41 41 500 17 17

Within the framework of the three year ducation the students complete EELs modules (European Education Level System Summary) as well as J+S (National High School for Sport in Magglingen) and the Swiss PGA specific modules.

Whoever wishes to begin the Swiss PGA education must fulfill the following criteria before the start of the course

• Minimum Age 18
• Maximum Handicap of 4.4 for Men and 6.4 for Women
• Successful completion of the ‚Playing Ability Test‘ - 2018 Swiss Pga Pat Regulations
• English language niveau: Certificate 1st
• Swiss Nationality or Residence Permit B or C
• Confirmed contract with a Golf Club
• Completed appreticeship or High School Diploma

Course Fees CHF 10'000,- (for three years). Every additional year – CHF 1'500,-

Membership Fee CHF 330,- for the 1st year, CHF 440,- for the 2nd and 3rd year

Education reglement of the Swiss PGA (only avaiable in german and french) - german - french

The dates of the apprentice courses will be regularly updated.

The education system for apprentices, teaching professionals, junior coaches and J+S leaders in Switzerland is modular. The smooth team work between the associations and the ministry for sport ensures a high quality education and further education for the members of the PGA. Golf is an official element of the Jugend + Sport program of BASPO since 2010.

The modules J+S basic education, J+S further education 1 and further education 2 (coaching juniors) are mandatory for all apprentices. During the three year education the apprentice will complete around 20 days of J+S courses.

This provides the basis and the opportunity for a career as a trainier. Those who specialise can complete the ASG Trainier A and a professional career training education through J+S.

www.jugendundsport.ch

On 29th of August 2013 the teaching professional education, together with the national trade certificate, made the next important step. The Sport Teachers Association was found from the IG Sports Teachers, including the Swis PGA as one of its members. This association delivers the education of the SBFI (State Secretariet for Education, Research and Innovation) and in doing so receives the state recognition of the vocation. In the meantime 15 Swiss sports associations and career sport organisations came together to form the trusteeship ‚sportartenlehrer.ch‘.

A new committee was voted in at the founding meeting, at which our president Bruno Griss and examination commission member Markus Rath were present. Markus Rath will now represent the Swiss PGA on this committee.

www.sportartenlehrer.ch