Golf Academy of America
Reviews and Complaints

I knew from the beginning there wasn't a future. You can get higher pay working as a cashier at a convenience store. In many cases that job pays double what you would receive after completing your two year degree. It was very expensive. You could have paid less going to an upscale 4 year university. I still went ahead and enrolled. I figured I worked hard and earned it. It was completely paid for, plus I received a monthly stipen. The extra money was nice since I lived there, so it was just free money. It was a fun time, but anyone going knew there wasn't a future. The job you might have gotten after completion is the same anyone would have gotten if they just walked into a golf course looking for work. I was an honor graduate and got to play golf for free. Ironically, I haven't played golf in over 9 years. It definitely wasn't worth going there if you were paying your own way. Five minutes of research proved it was a horrible investment. I doubt anyone would actually spend their own money and go into debt to attend this academy. If you did, then you're not smart enough for higher education...😆

I would agree with EVERYTHING the above reviewers have said. I graduated from SDGA (now GAA) in San Diego, back in 1991. Yes, a long time ago! It did NOTHING for me! If I were serious about getting into the golf business today (if you are really hell bent on doing this--in a rapidly declining golf industry where good jobs are scarce), then go do the PGA's "PGM program" at a "real" regionally accredited university, where in 4 years, you'll have a bachelors degree, can pass your "PAT" (players ability test) and maybe even work at a local golf course (while you're in school) and be knocking out some qualifying work/credit time towards your PGA Class A. I would check with the PGA, to see what their present day "rules" are, for all of this---as it may have changed, since when I went through all of this back in the early/mid 1990's. (I am no longer in the golf business---gladly!) Otherwise, spending the (now) $30, 000+ in tuition for attending the Golf Academy of America, (plus whatever living expenses you have --lets safely say it takes at least $25, 000/yr. to live on over TWO years, ...that's $50, 000, plus your $30, 000 tuition) gets you a minimum wage job after GAA graduation. Yes, you read that correctly, MINIMUM WAGE! And $25, 000 a year, is a LOW NUMBER to live on...think about it...most rent (in most major cities) for a decent apartment is $1000/month, so that leaves you with $13, 000/year to spend on FOOD, CLOTHING, GAS, INSURANCE, CAR PAYMENT, etc., and you haven't even paid the taxes on that cash yet, so now, you're BELOW ZERO FINANCIALLY! You might could make this work, if you like sleeping on a bunk bed and driving a GO-CART for a car...or if you're 20 years old and live with Mom and Dad, with no real expenses. After you graduate from the GAA, you will have no PGA Club Pro status, and you're THREE to FOUR (more) years away (after you complete the Golf Academy of America program of nearly 2 years--if you take a summer off) from getting your PGA Class A work done. TWO years of attending GAA, plus THREE to FOUR more years after this, of being in the PGA apprentice program, getting your PAT done, and getting your PGA courses/credits in. So, this is almost 5 to 6 years of your time (going the GAA route) and MUCH more expensive! To get an "honest" unbiased opinion about the present day golf business (2014), go do some due diligence, and ask a few local PGA pros what they think of the golf business, what opportunities "truly" exist today, and what opportunities exist for advancement, increased pay, etc. This will tell you "all you need to know" (good or bad) and give you a better understanding of "what you're walking into", instead of entering an industry "blindly". As for PAY($) in the golf business (at an entry level), you might be lucky to make $20, 000/yr. as an apprentice. See above description of what $25, 000/yr gets you, so at $20, 000/yr. you're calling a bankruptcy attorney on year two, and then, you're starting over from nothing (again). So, save yourself some headaches, (and cash)...check it all out first, be HONEST with yourself, and don't be trapped into the ILLUSION of getting into the golf business is some "great" thing, where you'll play lots of golf--truth is, you'll play more golf, selling INSURANCE, and you'll work 4 days a week, make a very nice living, and have weekends OFF! My advice, go sell INSURANCE, you'll have a much more stable, secure future financially! After all, not everyone "NEEDS" golf, but everyone DOES NEED INSURANCE! (more profitable)

Sadly this review of Golf Academy of america is accurate. I agree with everything that exposethescam says about it. You don't need this school to become a PGA professional but they will tell you otherwise. Its basically a waste of money. Everyone does pass the classes even if they are blatantly failing. The golf academy of america just wants your money so they dont want people to leave once theyve started. The teachers are basically the ones that golf courses reject, so think about that. Most of the students are on drugs and come to school drunk or high, but the school doesnt do anything about it because then they wouldnt get their moeny. The school will lie to your face about everything under the sun and make it sound like a dream, but it is everything but a dream once youre already in debt from their clown college classes. ive even had people who have never golfed a day in their life in my classes. Why on earth would a golf school admit people who dont even golf? Money.

This thread sure aged well. So glad I ended up not going to this scam of a school. Smith driver you were absolutely correct about everything. They lost their federal funding after finding out graduates only got low paying jobs compared to the tuition and debt required to attend. The average salary is $27K a year! I doubt anyone checks this forum anymore but I stumbled upon it and had a good laugh.

I am a 2010 of GAA Myrtle Beach campus and I would tell you to really think about what you want to accomplish with a GAA associates degree. I have nothing bad to say about the school and you will learn a ton of valuable information if you want to learn. I was able to get a job as an assistant golf professional right out of school and have worked in the same position for 5 years. However, the school did nothing to help me land that position, it took me going out to find the job. A lot of head pros and directors of golf are now familiar with the quality graduates GAA puts out. The thing is after you spend $30, 000 on tuition you will have to spend another $10, 000 for PGA certification to have a decent career being a club pro. The PGA certification comes in increments of around $2500 but as an assistant golf pro (as high as you'll likely get with just a GAA degree) you're only making at the very most $35, 000 a year, which makes the PGA certification hard to afford. Most golf courses will not pay for PGA certification these days. I highly recommend a PGM program at a 4 year college over GAA, so you'll at least have a bachelors to fall back on and you graduate with Class A PGA status. If you're a young recent high school graduate please consider a 4 year PGM program first and foremost. The golf industry is awesome and something you will enjoy doing the rest of your life, however it takes a LONG time and way too many years before you will make the money you will need to live. Especially if you want a family. GAA keeps rolling out a bunch of graduates every year making the pay go down and golfing jobs harder to find. My problem isn't with GAA so much as it is with the career as a whole. There is just no money in it unless you can book 8 hours a day in lessons. And most can't do that because they have to work 8 hours a day (many times from sun up to sun down) managing the pro shop. If you're a retired service member or retired anything and just want a job in golf regardless of how much you make I could justify GAA for you. Please if you would like more information before you enroll contact me at mattswade2@gmail.com I'll gladly give you an honest opinion of someone who is unbiased.

I graduated from The Golf Academy of America Orlando in April, 2012. I am now a PGA member and Head Golf Professional. I entered as an "older" student, already having a Bachelor's Degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, so the Associates Degree was no matter to me. What was a matter was the education I received, or better put, the education I got out of the effort I put into the school. You can try the old fashioned way as mentioned in comments above of getting a job at a green grass facility and learning as you try to progress through the ranks, but the business has changed and there is NO WAY you will learn everything you need to know before losing patience and interest in the industry unless you have a long range plan. If you are young I would recommend going through a University Golf Management program at a four-year institution offered by several colleges throughout the U.S. and earning a Bachelor's Degree, IF you are indeed serious about the industry and know that is what you want. But if you are older, i.e. too old to be running around with 18-22 year old kids in college, I would recommend a program like GAA. In 16 months I received a GREAT education, one that propelled me through the PGA PGM program and landed me in a head professional position in under four years in the business. I graduated with a 3.89 GPA while working full-time six nights per week. I am here to tell you that you will get out of an education ONLY what YOU put into it! While a student at GAA, I heard other students complaining about the lack of education they received. These were kids who expected the education to be handed to them without having to work for it. Unfortunately for GAA, many students who attend do not have the drive to succeed, and it is indeed a for-profit business with no selection criteria for admittance. Therefore GAA gets the blame for the students who lack the drive to work for an education and to succeed. I for one had that drive and have been successful in the golf industry, although it hasn't always been an easy road. But what worthwhile thing is? I am very proud of my accomplishments, proud to be a graduate of GAA, and proud to be a member of the PGA. Without my GAA education I would not have made it this far! And this quickly! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at ajhart@pga.com.

This school is a joke trust me listen to the people on here save your money I wasted a month there and saw that all they did was take money and give no education back just letting us cheat on tests and let us watch YouTube videos not learning at all

please listen to the man trying to help out. if you guys are looking for a job and need an education just go to a real school, and work hard, with time you will make it, in life and in your career.

I went on a tour to the GAA school in san diego, it is not worth it. I'm a real combat veteran, with VOC rehab and would not give them any of my uncle sam's money. it's for kids that don't know anything about life, and mommy and daddy will pay the school fees for them to get out of the house already.

I have just recently considered the GAA in Carlsbad. I really want to go. Rent free place to stay 25 min away helps too.
My biggest question. "Why doesn't the PGA sponsor or endorse GAA?" If they do endorse it, I didn't notice it on the website.

We all know this. It's WHO you know, not WHAT you know. Does 30K put you in a good enough position to find the WHO? It's possible. All I care about is a job in golf. I think my dream job would be work for the PGA or some golf related company, do whatever my job M-F was, 30K-50K per year, have the option to fly to tournaments to represent my company name, and enjoy being around golf. I reimburse my flights, hotel, rental care if available. And while I'm at it, work on my game.

I haven't decided what to do. I guess just ask GAA very specific questions to see what the answers are.

As a former student of the GAA Myrtle beach I can tell you that it is a waste of money. I graduated with honors and a "Ribbon" in every available class. The GAA is a great scam. Charge students 30k for an education that means nothing in the golf industry. I am still employed as a golf pro but because the 2 years and 30k I spent on my education is NOT accredited by the PGA I am spending 3 more years and 10k more to get my Class A certification. My advice is to get a job at local course and if you like the business get you education directly through the PGA. This will save you time and money.

I attended the academy in orlando...when it was called the golf academy of the south. I loved it...was it Harvard? no..was it even U of Central Florida...nope but I did learn about the business from great guys like Brad Turner, Charlie King(Bethlehem steel), Alan Flashner and Charlie Waters(clear, blue water!). I look back on that time in Florida and it was some of the best years of my life. Met great friends, still in touch with them after 18 years, landed a great job at a small private club in the northeast.

The original poster talks about it being a scam...What about the 4 year school charging 100k, 150k, 200k for a degree?. That is a scam. You get out of it what you put into it.

Well I actually wrote on here a while back and I am back again. I graduated 2nd in my class with a 4.0. I did go out with some of the guys but was solely focused on school because I was paying out of my own pocket. Also I was a class representative. When I graduated, I was given a print out for a job at a course in the area. Starting pay was 7.50 an hour to work in the shop and would not be able to give lessons. P.s it costs 6 dollars in tolls round trip. I took that as a slap in the face. I decided to move back to the hometown a year after graduation bc I was working full time at a company downtown Orlando. I was working there from 6pm till 2 am everyday to make ends meat. Studied, and worked hard and still played golf. I was a scratch golfer. I recieved all my certifications as well while attending the GAA. So after 2 years, I finally found a job in Naples working in the bag room. I was able to make enough money to pay bills. After two years, I left and moved to one of the most well known courses around the world in west palm. Worked as an assistant pro. Didn't make enough money to live on, I had to pay out of my savings account from when I was growing up to pay bills for each month. I wanted to persue the PGA but couldn't because I didn't make enough to even start the bookwork. P.s I did pass my P A T. After 2 years at this club I resigned. I took a job outside the business and started making 3 times the money as an assistant pro. I did this particular job for a year and the traveling became way to intense. I was traveling all across the nation. I then decided that maybe I could get back into the golf world, after I've been away for a year. I called the placement director at the academy. I was told about a job in south Florida. Starting pay was 8.50 an hour, no tips and no benifits. There are all kinda of things running through my head at this point. I then decided that golf business was no more for me. I sent my résumé out, made a few phone calls and was offered a job that some pros won't ever make after working 30 years. It wasn't because my time at GAA, ( I took that off my résumé) so please, as I explain it to many people. Spend your 30000, become a member somewhere and practice. Take some lessons, and then pass your PAT. That's the only way you will find a real job in the business. P.S. As a representative, I do still stay in touch with most everyone in my class. Via phone, email, or facebook. Out of the 100 people in my graduating class, I believe there is only about 15 still in the golf business. Out of those 15, I have talked to 4 in the last week that is currently looking outside the golf business because they know they could step away and start out at atleast twice the money. And, trust me some guys landed some really bad ### jobs as pros, teachers, assistants, golf tours. All those guys that had bad ### jobs at first didn't make hardly any money while they were in. They started having family's, they wanted more to life than a 8 or 9 dollar an hour job.