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Golf instructor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a golf instructor. Golf instructors usually study business, marketing, or parks and recreation management. 68% of golf instructors hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,431 real golf instructor resumes to see exactly what golf instructor education sections show.

The most common colleges for golf instructors are the Ferris State University and the Ferris State University.

There are also many online golf instructor courses to help get the education required to be a golf instructor.

What education do you need to become a golf instructor?

What degree do you need to be a golf instructor?

The most common degree for golf instructors is bachelor's degree, with 68% of golf instructors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 17% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 68%
  • Associate, 17%
  • High School Diploma, 7%
  • Master's, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a golf instructor?

You should major in business to become a golf instructor. 30% of golf instructors major in business. Other common majors for a golf instructor include marketing and parks and recreation management.

Most common colleges for golf instructors

Golf instructors often get their degrees at Ferris State University, University of South Florida, and Coastal Carolina University. Here are the most common colleges for golf instructors in the US based on their resumes.
Golf instructor common collegePercentages
Ferris State University8.55%
University of South Florida7.69%
Coastal Carolina University5.98%
New York University5.13%
University of North Texas5.13%

Best majors for golf instructors

Best colleges for golf instructors

The best colleges for golf instructors are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.

A golf instructor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for golf instructors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become golf instructors.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

2. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

3. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

7. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

8. Rice University

Houston, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$47,350

Enrollment

3,962

9. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$17,653

Enrollment

16,405

10. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

20 best online courses for golf instructors

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2. The Perfect Golf Swing - Timeless Golf Instruction

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4. Business Communication Skills: Handling Clients & Customers

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8. Customer Service Fundamentals: Putting People First

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16. Group Discussion Strategies

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17. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management

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18. Customer Service

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20. Time Management Skills: Become the Master of your Time!

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Become more productive with efficient time management...

Top 10 most affordable universities for golf instructors

The most affordable schools for golf instructors are University of Florida, california state university - bakersfield, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for golf instructors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for golf instructors.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

9. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

10. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for golf instructors

The hardest universities for golf instructors to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for golf instructors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for golf instructors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

5. Rice University

Houston, TX • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

7. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

Admissions rate

26%

SAT average

1,427

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,434

10. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for golf instructors

The easiest schools for golf instructors to get into are Wayland Baptist University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a golf instructor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for golf instructors.

1. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

5. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

6. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

7. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

8. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

9. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

10. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

Average golf instructor salary by education level

Golf instructors with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $60,721 annually. With a Master's degree, golf instructors earn a median annual income of $48,896 compared to $39,620 for golf instructors with an Bachelor's degree.
Golf instructor education levelGolf instructor salary
Master's Degree$48,896
High School Diploma or Less$29,597
Bachelor's Degree$39,620
Doctorate Degree$60,721
Some College/ Associate Degree$36,309

Golf instructor education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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