If you are passionate about golf, there are countless ways by which you can demonstrate your love for the sport beyond playing it. Among others, you can become a golf club fitter. With the latter, your main responsibility is to assist players in finding the right club. You also need to make sure that they are tailor-fitted to the needs of individual users.
Find out the basics of how to become a golf club fitter in this short article. The specific steps can vary depending on the course requirements or your location, among other factors.
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The Fundamentals of How to Become a Golf Club Fitter
Ready to build a new career in the world of golf? Below is a quick guide on becoming a professional club fitter.
Know What It Means to be a Club Fitter
Start by being familiar with the work of a club fitter. Know the job description, so you can have a realistic expectation of what your job entails. Such will prepare you to the work requirements and will let you gauge if it is indeed the right path for you.
As a fitter, you will help clients pick the best golf irons for mid handicappers or top drivers for new players, among other clubs. It is all about helping clients choose clubs that fit their budget, playing style, and expectations, among other things. You will be working one-in-one with golfers and help make them better in the game.
Sign Up for Membership at The Association of Golf Club Fitting Professionals
To start your career in fitting golf clubs[how to fit golf club], the first step is to sign up for a membership at The Association of Golf Club Fitting Professionals (AGCP). They have some of the best club fitters in the world, so expect that the process is going to be thorough. If you decide to sign-up, you need to choose one of the following memberships:
- Gold Level Lifetime Membership ($2,500)
- Gold Level Annual Membership ($235)
- Gold Level Annual Membership Paid Quarterly ($60)
- Gold Level Annual Membership Paid Monthly ($26)
Complete a Certification Course
Once you have chosen a membership at AGCP, the next step is to take a certification course. The following are the different levels, as well as the requirements for each.
Level 1
This is an introductory course, which requires members to take a proficiency test. You do not need to have attended school. A training apprenticeship is more than enough to pass the Level 1 certification.
Level 2
At this level, you need to have attended at least one school, such as Golfworks or Golfsmith. You also need to pass a written or verbal test. To pass the latter, you must know the fundamentals like measuring golf club speed[how to measure golf club speed], among other things.
Level 3
To become a Level 3 member, you need to attend at least two schools or certification courses that AGCP recognizes. You also need to attend a seminar hosted by a recognized manufacturer. Another written or verbal test is also mandatory.
Level 4
To qualify for this level, you need attendance to three schools of certificate courses that AGCP recognizes. It is also required that you take a written or verbal test.
Level 5
Aside from taking appropriate courses and attending a recognized school, this level also requires individuals to have at least three years of club fitting experience. You can take this even with limited equipment but must have fitting ability.
Level 6
A minimum of five-year club fitting experience is one of the minimum requirements to qualify for this level. Advanced certification from PCS GCA is also a must. Like with the other levels, you must take a written or verbal test.
Level 7
The first level for advanced certification, you need three or more years of experience while also having attended a school or certificate that the organization recognizes. You need to have a shop with complete equipment, which must include a launch monitor for comprehensive swing analysis.
Level 8
You need to achieve a certification from PCS GCA testing to quality. You also need a minimum of five years of experience in club fitting or testing to achieve this level. It is also a must to have more advanced tools, such as bending equipment for picking the top irons.
Level 9
At this level, you need more equipment, which will be indicative of your capability as a club fitter. Some of the tools that you need to have include those that will help in determining shaft for building better swing weight and moment of inertia.
Level 10
A more advanced level for club fitting, you will need advanced equipment, as well as to pass a written and verbal test. To add, it is also a must to have video and teaching capabilities, which make it more comprehensive compared to the certifications above.
Level 10 Plus Retail
The requirements are almost the same as Level 10. However, one of the main differences is that you need a retail location in your community. This means that you must have a store that sells golf equipment, such as the top muscle back irons.
Level 10 Plus Teaching Plus Retail
Aside from a retail location, you also need a certification from Golf Teaching Schools. This is the most advanced level, and hence, has the strictest requirements. You need to send a copy of a teaching certificate after course completion.
Conclusion
Do you want to become a club fitter and help others choose the right equipment to up their game? Then make sure to sign up for a membership at the AGCP and complete the different levels to become a professional club fitter!