Golf Management

Golf Management Degree: B.S. in Exercise Science or Sport Management with a PGM Concentration

About Professional Golf Management

Put your love of golf at the heart of your future career.

With the Professional Golf Management (PGM) concentration, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the golf industry. Choose from two majors with this concentration:

Both degree programs provide flexibility through a mix of on-campus and online coursework, so you’ll be able to pursue paid internships at top facilities throughout the world while earning your degree. What’s more, the golf management degree concentration will develop your golf game, preparing you to pass the Playing Ability Test, a milestone for every aspiring PGA member.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: PROFESSIONAL GOLF MANAGEMENT

A World of Experience
During PennWest California’s four-year golf management degree concentration, you’ll spend 16 months in the field, connecting with golf industry professionals and gaining hands-on experience through paid internships at top facilities all over the world. Internship experiences have taken our students to:

In addition to world-class internships, you’ll have opportunities to assist with major PGA Tour events. And online course options allow for as little as 21 months on campus, enabling you to begin your career while finishing your degree.

Learn more about applying

 

100 %
Job placement since the first class of professional golf management program graduates in 2009.
4 
Local golf courses and an indoor golf practice facility are available for PennWest California-PGM students.
icon undergrad for degree

Perfect the Mechanics of Your Game

Elevate your game through on-campus, state-of-the-art facilities:

  • The Student Training Analysis and Research (STAR) Academy, designed for practice and player development, includes a 1,200 sq. ft. putting/ chipping green and five hitting bays. The Academy is equipped with advanced technology including Trackman, Flightscope, Sam Balance and Putt Labs, AboutGolf Simulator and The K Coach 3D Analysis System.
  • A dedicated golf club fitting and repair laboratory offers eight golf club assembly and repair stations.
  • The PGM Golf Fitness and Conditioning Center, staffed by certified golf fitness instructors, houses specialty training aids to improve balance, flexibility, stability, and strength.
icon undergrad for degree

A Bright Career Outlook

You have the drive to succeed on the golf course and beyond. Let your passion for the game pay off — literally. The forecast for PGM-related careers is very sunny. In fact, demand for qualified golf management professionals exceeds the number of applicants. Every year, 100% of PennWest California’s PGM graduates go directly into a wide range of professional positions. PennWest California alumni advance their careers in roles such as:

  • PGA Professionals at Clubs and Resorts
  • International Professional Tour Players
  • Competitors on the World Long Drive Tour
  • Head Golf Coaches at High Schools, Colleges, and Universities
  • Representatives from Leading Golf
  • Industry Manufacturers

 

Courses, Curriculum and Related Programs

A key focus of the professional golf management concentration is the internship requirement to gain experience in various golf settings. You will be able to apply classroom lessons and theory to the practical skills necessary to acquire Class A PGA Membership.

Curriculum


Course Credits
Freshman Year  
First Semester 16
BUS 100  Intro to Business** 3
ENG 101  English Composition I** 3
PGM 100  Introduction to Professional Golf Management* 3
UNI 100  First-Year Seminar** 1
General Education/Elective Courses 6
   
Second Semester 15
ECO 100  Elements of Economics** 3
PGM 150  Teaching of Golf I* 3
General Education/Elective Courses 9
   
Third Semester 3
PGM 125  PGM Internship I* 3
   
Sophomore Year  
Fourth Semester 15
PGM 200  Intermediate Topics in Professional Golf Management*
3
PGM 210  Golf Shop Management* 3
General Education/Elective Courses
9
   
Fifth Semester 15
PGM 250  Golf Operations Management* 3
PGM 260  Golf Performance Coaching and Technology* 3
General Education/Elective Courses 9
   
Sixth Semester 3
PGM 225  Professional Golf Management Internship II* 3
   
Junior Year  
Seventh Semester 15
PGM 300  Advanced Topics in Professional Golf Management*
3
PGM 310  Turfgrass Management*
3
SPT 400  Legal Aspects of Sport*
3
General Education/Elective Courses 6
   
Eighth Semester 12
PGM 350  Food and Beverage Management*
3
PGM 410  Teaching of Golf II*
3
SPT 310  Sport Marketing* 3
General Education/Elective Courses 
3
   
Ninth Semester 3
PGM 325 Professional Golf Management Internship III* 3
   
Senior Year  
Tenth Semester 12
PGM 405  Expanded Golf Operations* 3
PGM 425  Senior Internship* 3
General Education/Elective Courses
6
   
Eleventh Semester 12
PGM 415  Trends and Issues in the Golf Industry* 3
PGM 435  Capstone Internship* 3
SPT 305  Ethics in Sport** 3
SPT 405  Finance and Economics of Sport* 3
Total 120

*Required major or related courses

**Required or recommended General Education courses

Related Programs
  • B.S. in Exercise Science: PGM prepares students to teach and coach athletes.
  • B.S. in Sport Management Studies: PGM hones skills related to golf operations and executive management.
  • Business Minor: Many Professional Golf Management students elect to compelte a business minor. This coursework can be used fo fulfill rquired free elective credits, so taking a minor does not add any time to graduation. 
Golf 1

Hit The Green

Students in the PGM concentration can participate in multiple levels of competitive golf. Plus, the PennWest California PGM program has three “home courses” located less than 20 minutes from campus, including Ceaderbrook Golf Course, Namacolin Country Club and Monangahala Valley Country Club. In addition to student playing privileges, all facilities have practice areas that can host our PGM Player Development Program.

A student fits a club.

Careers in Golf

The in-depth knowledge of business, golf, and fitness that you gain in a PGM concentration can lead to a career in business operations, sales, instruction, or tournament management. Many PennWest California graduates serve or have served as professionals at clubs and resorts, including Oakmont Country Club (PA), Sea Island (GA), East Hampton Golf Club (NY), Inverness (OH), and Pete Dye Golf Club (WV).

Learn more