Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
•   Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Working Life

Tournament Players have no day-to-day club responsibilities but may receive a retainer from a Club or Company for using its name.  
 
Club Professionals attached to a specific Golf Club concentrate on teaching golf, repairing clubs, selling golf equipment and generally looking after the golf course and the course staff. They may also be engaged on the design, layout and maintenance of golf courses.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Assess performance following athletic competition, identifying strengths and weaknesses and making adjustments to improve future performance.
• Maintain equipment used in a particular sport.
• Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
• Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
• Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
• Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
• Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
• Represent teams or professional sports clubs, performing such activities as meeting with members of the media, making speeches, or participating in charity events.
• Lead teams by serving as captain.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Professional Golfers are drawn from two main sources: 
 
Club Professional  
Candidates wishing to enter this category must enter into a contract to serve an apprenticeship period of three years minimum with a PGA Golf Professional. During this period, usually in his/her third year, the candidate must attend at PGA Headquarters for one week to be examined on the knowledge he/she has gained.  
 
Tournament Players 
If you wish to become a full-time tournament-playing professional you should not consider registration as a PGA Trainee. The PGA European Tour is responsible for most of the major tournaments in Europe and is a completely separate organisation. For details contact Golf Ireland.
 
Training  
During the period of apprenticeship the trainee is instructed by the Professional in the playing and teaching of golf; in shop management and salesmanship; in repairing clubs; in course maintenance and staff control.  
 
During the third year of apprenticeship, the candidate must attend one of the PGA schools in England and must pass the examination. Financial assistance for this purpose may be available. All Golf Professionals who wish to take part in Irish and British sponsored tournaments must be members of the PGA.

There are many allied careers in Sports, people may consider branching into professional Golf performance in the Leisure, Sport, and Fitness sector

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: sports, coaching, fitness.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: sports, coaching, fitness.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: sports coaching, sports business, community sports, sports management.

Search for CAO Courses

PGA UK courses: Foundation Degree in Golf Studies (FdSc), Diploma in Higher Education Golf Studies (DipHE), BSc Applied Golf Management Studies.

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Golf Ireland 

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €51k

Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties. In competitive sport, earnings are based on performance and placement in tournaments. Along with options of merchandising and marketing. Income can also be derived from coaching. 

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Leisure and sports managers; Sports players Sports coaches; instructors and officials; Fitness instructors.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell in this occupation between 2021 and 2022, with 6,000 fewer people employed compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment numbers were small across the individual roles included in this occupation; although the Census shows that there was some growth over the period 2016 to 2022, this was primarily related to fitness instructors.

A half of all persons employed in this occupation worked part-time, far exceeding the national average of 22%. Employment permits issued for this group related to professional sports players sports coaches/instructors. The rising cost of living is likely to have an impact on the demand for the services provided by many people working in these occupations.

An increased use of digital fitness, particularly during COVID-19, may also have an impact on future demand for these roles, along with a shift in the skills profile required (e.g. digital skills). As such, the outlook for this occupation is uncertain, with any potential employment growth dependent on the levels of consumer discretionary spending.

• Golfing Union of Ireland

  • National Headquarters, Carton Demesne, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
  • (01) 5054000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Professional Golfers Association (PGA)

  • Dundalk Golf Club, Blackrock, Co. Louth
  • Click Here

• Golf Ireland

  • Click Here

• Sport Ireland

  • Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, Snugborough Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
  • (01) 8608800
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here