Golf Academy of America’s earns a 2.6-star rating from 0 reviews and 5 complaints, showing that the majority of students are somewhat satisfied with educational experience.
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Job placement lies and too much debt
First of all, I went in as a older student with a family. I was laid off from a good job, and decided to head to the school to start a new career in something I love. Here is what I can tell you:
They will say ANYTHING and promise the moon and stars to get you to sign up.
They promise job placement. Good luck with that. Out of roughly 50 people who actually completed the program, 5 got jobs in the golf industry last I heard, and they were mostly cart boys at $8.00 an hour. We all received a minuscule printout with minimum wage jobs as cart boys, and a few in Dicks sporting goods on the sales floor in various locals far from home. The ONLY one who landed a "good" job was the brave soul who took off to work in China I hear. I heard he is still there.
No one became a PGA tour player-dream on. I don't think that GAA ever produced on PGA tour pro, have they? Lets not be delusional.
3in my class passed the PAT. They got low wage jobs and the school did nothing to help them there.
Many failed trying. Most gave up and work in other industries.
Then there was the QUALITY of students. I went to school with a bunch of mostly lower IQ rich boys who needed to look busy for mom and dad.
Most of the students got drunk every night, and showed up hungover. Several had run ins with the police. They had all the fancy clothes and equipment, but most had zero class.
I was #2 in my class, and I received nearly every award. I won most tournament or at least placed second. Thats many Edwin Watts gift cards to those curious. And steak diners-(losers got hotdogs).
I never found work-I sent out over120 resumes at last count, and followed up. NOTHING. I never missed a class and I gave it everything I had. The reward for my efforts is that I'm in debt with student loans for the next decade or two.
Don't waste your time. Honestly, they would accept your pet goldfish if it had $30 K to spend, and they would graduate it. Anyone feeding you anything other than most likely a liar. I have no reason to lie. I moved on. I still love golf and play regularly. I just hate to see people lied to and used so this FOR PROFIT scam stays in biz. I think they started out good, and went bad due to greed.
I did learn a good bit and played golf on some great courses. Some of the instructors were top notch. Others were lazy at best. The office workers were rather rude.
Lets face it-the industry is tapped out in a crappy economy. Its probably not going to get better anytime soon. Either start low at a local country club, and work your way up. Or, just finish your bachelors in something productive and enter the job market in a field where you stand a chance.
You have been warned. Unless, that is, you are a rich kid looking to kill 18 months in golf attire, drinking beer on mom and dads dime. Then by all means enjoy yourself.
Education
As one of the original SDGA grads in the late 70's, I was fortunate to have attended on a full scholarship, which to this day I believe I am the only person to have had a "free ride". The SDGA concept was initiated as a credible education process in comparison to a poorly devised PGA Apprentice Program. In addition to the SDGA, the concept of the PGI (Professional Golfers International) was to have complimented the graduates of the degreed program. Unfortunately the PGI never materialized and thus the PGA has maintained a marketing monopoly in the industry. For PGA members to be employed by a training institution contrary to their own PGA training program is hypocritical. Until the PGA union monopoly has a competive union, the return on your investment in this institution must be questioned? I elected to not join the PGA and my employment in the golf industry was successful, although a constant challenge to the viability the PGA. The formation of the PGI is long overdue and until a competitive environment is established I would suggest going with the program that has the monopoly. Although I don't consider my experience with the SDGA a waste of time I am very thankful I didn't have to pay!
Scam
Please read entire post before considering attending the golf academy of america
I am a recent graduate from the golf academy in myrtle beach. I attended the school right out of the military, so to say the least, the government paid for absolutely everything. Where should i start, lets see, i will start when i went to visit the school. They gave me a lot of information, everything good of course, but unfortunately nothing that pertained to a actual career in the golf industry and what you need to do to get a descent job as a class a teaching professional or a member of the pga.
They didn't tell any of the students coming into the school and it wasn't until the middle of the second semester that one of the instructors, who is one of the few very good instructors, told us about the pga apprenticeship program and what you need to do to get into it. Basically the only purpose of the school is to prepare you for the courses you will have to take if and when you pass the pga's pat, which is another 3 years of the exact same work that you just paid $33, 000 for.
Here is a eye opener, you do not need to go to the golf academy to get into the pga apprenticeship program. All you have to be is a good golfer and pass the pat, and then get a job at a course at as a assistant professional, and then you will be eligible to get your books and start your course work to be a pga professional. The pga doesn't even recognize the golf academy when it comes to taking the pat. When i say that i mean, pgm program students have first option at taking the pat, then people who work at a golf course, then two weeks prior to the pat, golf academy students and anyone else who may want to take the test may sign up. If you sign up early and take up a spot, i was told and confirmed this with the pga, you will be banned for 6 months from taking it.
Now the course work at the school. It is basically a joke and i kid you not when i say this. Everyone passes and all you have to do is show up for class. Everyone passes because all they want is your money, it is nothing like a real college or university. There are a great deal of courses in the myrtle beach area where the students are treated like ### due to the way some of the students carry themselves on the course, not to mention the drinking and drug use right on the course. This even carries over into the classroom where there is a huge drug problem at that school, and the instructors turn a blind eye to it.
The school has some great instructors, but there are also a lot of unprofessional ones and a lot of classes that are a complete joke. Please take my word for it, if you want a job in the golf industry get a job working bag drop at a course and work your way up and take some lessons from the pro at the course you would be working. You will save your self a boat load of money.
About me, i did pass the pat and am in a apprenticeship program, and i would not hire a golf academy student over a pgm student just because i know the school is a complete joke. But again, just like everything else in life, you get out of it what you put into it. If i were to do it again, i would not go to the golf academy of america. Oh yeah, very few if any credits will transfer to any accredited college or university if you plan on getting a bachelor's but then again, virginia college will be more than glad to give you a bachelor's degree if you give them more money.
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.
Is Golf Academy of America Legit?
Golf Academy of America earns a trustworthiness rating of 96%
Highly recommended, but caution will not hurt.
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The entire program from the ground up
I just completed the Golf Academy of America Associate's Degree program from the San Diego Campus. I discovered this "Siren" while I was in the military and stationed in San Diego. I was eager to finish my enlistment and pursue my new goal. I visited the campus a number of times, and was very interested in the "Titleist TPI analysis computer", which the staff reiterated many times over it was "one of 4 in the world." Not only that but I could use it whenever I wanted, and while attending the academy I would be a certified operator so that I could train other people on this very limited and exclusive hardware. Not to mention I could "play all the free golf I could." Needless to say, I left the military after 6 honorable years to attend the GAA San Diego Campus. The morning I was Honorably discharged I was down at the campus with all of my required, certified copied discharge paperwork (which includes highly sensitive info, personal and government) and my GI Bill paperwork. To make the admissions part of this story short, they lost this info 3 different times, which meant I had to obtain certified copies on 3 different occasions, which if you have ever had to obtain certified copies from the county courthouse, or the local government/military liason this is no easy task. Not to mention during my fourth semester at this campus the admissions office called me in to say they did not have a copy of my discharge paperwork in my file and they needed another certified copy. I thought this was a joke but she was not laughing. I was absolutely beside myself! The amount of personal info contained on this document is ... well... there is more than enough, not too mention to misplace this info on 4 different occasions is appalling.
Now back to the primary reason I came to this campus ... the "one of four in the world" TPI Analysis machine. The day of orientation I was trying to get on this thing but the staff was having nothing to do with it. They just told me wait until classes start. So classes have officially begun, so now we can do this ... or not. I was told by the instructor that it would not be available for 5 weeks. During this 5 week period I counted the utilization of the TPI Analysis 3 different times tandemly by intructor/student. And for the record, first semester scheduling is the heaviest as far as being there everyday of the week, so I may not have been there all of the time but the majority of the day I was (with exception to Mondays which is the tournament day and there is no school on mondays except for third semester students who have to attend a two hour long resume building class for the entire semester. Believe me it is more painful than it sounds not to mention it lets out one hour before your tournament round starts. If you have ever driven in cali, well you know how traffic is and to have only an hour to drive to a tournament round is ... well ... outlandish! Not to mention my pre-round warm-up greatly exceeds one hour. So that entire third semester you are breaking traffic laws and running through parking lots with your clubs and trying to eat your pre-round meal before you get to the tee. Not to mention this place is nazi with the rules of golf and if you havent checked in with the tournament committee 15 minutes prior to your tee time you are assessed a two stroke penalty and if you are not in your golf cart when its time to drive to your assigned tee you are DQ'd. You think this institution would see the entire picture and fix this but they choose to do nothing about it.
Getting back to the TPI, utilized only 3 times in a 5 week period. So finally the sixth week of the semester and I finally get a chance to get on this thing. I get there, Ive already warmed up for the analysis, about to attach the sensors and get hooked up to the monitor and the instuctor states, "you have not completed the 8 week TPI fitness program and in order for you to receive a swing analyis you need to complete this 8 week program. So you can get on the Titleist Performance Institute website and register and complete the program."
At this point I am completely befuddled. So I go home and register on the TPI website only to find out that I need to be evaluated by a certified TPI technician who evaluates balance, and flexibility, etc. This TPI tech was the very instructor who earlier that day told me I need to register myself on the website! At this point I am beyond words. Needless to say it was 2 more weeks until they gave a TPI evauation. So here we are beginning the 9th week of the semester and I only have completed the fitness assessment and now I may begin my 8 week physical workout programs. And since the semesters are only 16 weeks long, well by the time I complete my workout program it will be the start of the 2nd semester. So time passes and here we are, I've completed all the prerequisites for this TPI analysis. It's finally time! NOT! I show up for my swing analysis only to be told that the GAA's policy has changed and you now need to have 5 recorded individual golf lessons with the instructors. And by recorded I mean once you have completed a half hour lesson with an instructor you have to leave it up to them to record their notes into their database. Long story short, I ended up having to take 8 half hour lessons with various intructors. And due to time restraints and scheduling it only took me to the end of the third semester. Not to mention you got a different teacher every time. Whom really knew nothing about me except what was recorded on their database. All of these different teachers, different philosophies, or most time lack there of ... well my game suffered and I have never played so poorly in my life. All of this just for a swing analysis? Really?! I'v come this far right? What else could there possibly be? Well there was a lot more hurdles to jump throughout the semester and in the end I never did get on that machine because it just disappeared during the third semester. Ah-huh, but this is the best part. It was replaced by a gargatuane yellow training apparatus called the "Bender". This behemuth contraption took up 1/3 of the full swing hitting area only to sit there because no one on the staff was certified to work it. Nor could anyone really figure it out so it just sat there for my remaining 2 semesters at the GAA. Come to find out you can get on the Bender website and register and any one person can be certified online. Way to go Golf Academy of America Staff and affiliates.
Too touch on the academics (sigh) ... well I've witnessed 3 different teachers quit this place (there was the anatomy/physiology intructor who resigned with 2 weeks left in the semester, there was the club builder who quit and went back to work at Taylormade and that was 3 or 4 seeks into the semester. There was the Food and Beverage instructor, and the Accounting II instuctor but he was also the club builder (but we did not receive our books until the 9th week of the fourth semester, these books included a project which we were supposed to be creating the entire semester but because the staff misplaced this pallet of Accounting II projects in some hidden closet the students had to suffer and create this project in less than half of the allotted time. Keep in mind your entire grade is this project. Not to mention my instructor for Rules of Golf II lost my final. To shed some light on this event, Golf Academy of America requires you to stay there for the duration of the 2 hour classes. So during finals week even after you have finished you have to remain there. So the first hour the class took the final. The second part we would review and you would have an idea of how you did. So even though the finals were graded they were not recorded yet. meanwhile, they just sat in a pile on the empty table in front of the podium Well, this happened to be my last class so after I was going to the airport. Well I am about to board my plane and I get a call from my instructor who blantantly states, " where's your final? I don't have your final! Why would you just walk off with your final. I need to have it so I can turn it in before 5 pm. I dont understand why you would walk off with your final with out it being recorded?" I informed him I did not have it and why would you turn this around on me. Blah blah blah it turned into he said she said. So his resolution was to average all of my test grades together and that would be final grade. Well, to say the least I did not enjoy this class and in the beginning I did not put in any effort into the class so i was performing on a C level. But for this I actually prepared for the final because I wanted a B for the class. I know i was close to acing this final but because he wants to leave the entire class' final answers out on an open table unsupervised and not recorded, I suffer for it and end up with a sub par grade because of one incompetent instructor. This is the way of the Golf Academy of America. I can't believe I have written this much and I have just scratched the service but quite honestly I have never felt so betrayed. This place is not worth the $28, 000. Don't buy into the free golf either, on paper they will show you like 30 different courses but in actuallity you play like 5-6 different ones. Theres so many restrictions on all of the other courses. Not too mention tournaments are on Mondays. If you have ever been a member of a country club you know there is no play on Mondays because thats the recovery day from the heavy weekend play and thats the day the maintenance crews are out in full force. You can bet the course is in complete overhaul, heavy watering, seeding, repairing, tree cutting, mowing, blah blah. I cant count the times where my group has been ambushed by sprinklers activating, crazy miscellaneous sounds in backswings, standing water on greens, well you get the picture.
Believe me, all of these issues along with I'm sure a memoir, have been brought up to all the intructors, and all of the directors on campus. And after awhile you just hear the same standard damage control response. I'm not kidding I swear the staff has meetings and the campus dirctor tells them standard responses to say, and througout the day and throughout the week you will hear various members of the staff say the same quoted line, for example, "We want your experience here at the Golf Academy to be a good one". These guys are the kings at damage control and can dance around questions without giving you a direct answer. Once a semester the campus director would come into the class so that students could address issues. Except there were issues he would avoid or leave it up to someone else to anwer. These would get going on a pure simple yes or no answer but they would drag it out for a 5 minute response in hopes of creating a sidebar topic or just numbing your mind so you would forget what was asked in the first place. Our class called him on it, and well the campus director he never came back to talk with us in our 4th semester.
I can look at some of these comments that are pro Golf Academy and grammatically I could identify these people. I hope to see some responses from my comment and you can see for yourself the "Damage Control" and the subjective statements they create in response to my detailed statements.
And let this be known, they may say that this is a performance orientated acadmey, but their primary focuse is a business school and not a golf school. So if you are looking to improve your playability forget it. Not too mention the credits obtained from this school are non-transferable anywhere. The only school that these credits transfer to is Virginia College Online. So if you are looking to finish your Bachelor's well, look at the limited number of degrees that Virginia College Online has to offer, than make your decision. This place offers a clubbuilder certification (which you can do on your own for less than $300, they have a rules officiating certification, but you can do that through the PGA program for a considerably small amount of money and attending a couple of classes/seminars. They have self created an advanced teaching certification which I dont understand because these are students who have never given a lesson in their life but the GAA is calling them advanced teachers? And they in no way offer support or have programs that has anything to do with passing the PAT and getting you on your way if you want to be a PGA certified intructor. Even if you pass they will not reimburse or help you out with the $200 fees involved. They told me they had a PAT program and would assist in everyway possible. But once I got here it changed. Really ask yourself, is an a Associates' Degree, a Clubbuilding cert, a teaching cert, an apprentice rules official cert, the maybe 10 different courses you will play really worth $28, 000? Even though the GI Bill paid I would definitely save myself the trouble and go to a school where my credits would transfer instead of being forced to finish my degree through Virginia College Online where I cannot play golf and I could easily obtain those certs in a weeks worth of classes. But that's me.
I have put way too much time into this beastly comment, but that was only part of my experience and I hope it helps you in your decision making and helps you avoid the torment I have endured during my stay at the Golf Acadmey of America San Diego.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Wow! I can't believe all the very negative comments about the GAA. I graduated from the Orlando campus in 2005, got a great job immediately, went on to breeze through the PGA's PGM program and finally get great jobs like Head Professional and Director of Instruction. If you plan on becoming a PGA Professional then the GAA will prepare you for everything you will encounter during their program. If you are looking for a degree that can be used for something other than golf then you shouldnt be considering the GOLF academy anyway. The degree you get is an Occupational Asociated Degree with Occupational being the key word. My goal was to learn how be a golf professional, to be prepared for the PGM program and to get a job ASAP after graduation. ALL of these things were accomplished with the help of the GAA. In fact I was placed at my first job by the GAA and have since hired many graduates to my staff with huge success. The GAA is not difficult to pass so it is possible to get through the program without learning anything but that is your fault no the GAA. If you put into it what you want to get out of it than you will be satisfied with the GAA. As far as thier instructors not being qualified to teach that is not true. In order to be an instructor you must have a 4 year college degree, extensive golf industry experience and be a PGA member. This more than qualifies you to teach others how to be a golf professional. If your not happy with the GAA you need to look in the mirror and see what YOU can do to make it better and quit blaming others.
I'm retiring from the AF in a few months and considering a Golf Academy to take advantage of my GI Bill. I'm not looking to be the Pres or VP of a major course after grad, just have a leg up on the average guy while getting a job on a course. When I say job, I mean decent paying $15 - $20 an hr to supplement my pension while having fun. Would you recommend? Thx
I wonder who westcoast golfer is, we were probably classmate. I agree completely. I graduated GAA - Carlsbad in 2012. I can not speak to any of the other GAA campuses. I will say that GAA - Carlsbad is a bad place. It is run by scummy, scummy people. The information the marketing department gives out to get you to go there are lies. I was told the 90% placement rate also. There were 3 different career counselors while I was there. When we questioned the placement rate told to us during 3rd semester career class, the teacher admitted that number is made up. Maybe that is why he was fired. Another lie they push is transferring your credits to earn a 4 yr degree. This is only true if you go to their online sister school. No other school even accepts credits from GAA. They told me that I could play golf every day as part of my tuition. They make the schedules so you can play 1 time a week, 2 during some semesters, if you are lucky. The education is a joke. While the teachers there are mostly good guys, the whole place is structured to get your money, not educate you. Keep you enrolled to get your money is the priority. Since some students would leave or fail out if there was a real curriculum, they just don't teach like a real college (or high school). While I was there, there were 3 academic deans and a lot of other faculty turnover. The guy that is the academic dean now is a total ###. He was the worst teacher, every student thought he was a total ###, and then he was made dean. One of the teachers said that he is the perfect person for the job since the director is a ### too. After one of the academic deans left after just a couple of months, he gave his notice effective immediately the day before classes started, he posted on facebook that his former boss had no idea what he was doing and was a bully. This dean's background was academic compliance at a public college. I was sold a bunch of bad information and went there. It was around 2nd semester when I started figuring out that it was a scam. I finished in the 16 months because I did not want to be a quiter. Most of my classmates did not get jobs in the golf industry. Most went back to their home towns. I got a job in SD at a golf course. My boss, a PGA member, agrees that it was a waste of time and money. He said being a Pro in SD he has hired a lot of Golf Academy people over the years, but a GAA degree means nothing to him when hiring. I made a mistake and wasted 16 months and have to pay back my loans now. With the pay scale in the golf industry, I need help from my parents to pay my loan payments. Those of you thinking about going to GAA - Carlsbad learn from my misfake, don't do it!
I graduated GAASD in 2011. It was a waste of money and 16 months. The GAA is just a company trying to make money. They don't care about the students or the quality of the program other than to keep the accreditation so students can borrow money to pay the tuition or the VA pay for veteran's to go to the school. There were just a few good teachers when I was there and one is no longer there. He was probably fired because he actually cared. When I was deciding to go there, this guy Henry told me I would get to play a lot of golf and everyone who graduates gets a job in golf after they graduate. We could not play more than 1 or 2 times a week because the class schedule that we are given is all over the place so there was no time to play except for tournament Monday. He told me 90% of graduates get a job in the golf industry after. I was lucky to get a job at a good club. Most of my classmates are still not working in golf. A lot have given up and found other jobs. Don't waste your time.
VC is a joke and so is GAA...
VC is a joke and soils GAA... Keep drinking the cool aid
I am a 2010 Grad of GAA San Deigo and all I can say is you get out of it what you put into it. I have friends that were in my class that work at Bandon Dunes, Blackwolf Run and Vaqero Golf Club in Texas. All this was made possible by the networking at GAA. Also I have friends that cant find a job and dont know what their doing. These are the people that missed class didnt care and put in no effort. Myself I had more than one job while at school and had a great job before graduation. I am now an assistant professional in the PGA/PGM program. My staff consits of 3 alumni and one current student not including myself and I will always contact the school when looking for a new co workers. So take out of these post what you want, GAA will send you on the right path to being a golf professional, you still have to follow that path.
Blazewun, the reason the golf academy credits transfer to the virginia college is because they have the same owners. The GAA and the Virginia College are both owned by the Education CORPORATION of America. Many of the instructors have gotten their degrees from the organization they work for. I wonder why. So if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is probably a duck. The GAA has some good instructors but many are just HS graduates with an "in house" degree which is not qualified to teach at a regionally accredited school.
@golfinginAZ...I am glad that you were able to parlay your education from GAA into something worthwhile. For some, it just isn't that cut 'n dry.
I think I would like to come play your facility. I have a place in Sedona and Estrella Mtn Ranch...lets play some golf!
Spot me a few strokes?
Hey Blazewun... funny how I have been able to use my degree for 10 years to help me land jobs in the golf industry and also improved my game from an 18 to an 5.7 while at GAA. I graduated with a lot of guys and most loved it and have great things to say about the program. There are always a few cry babies who blame others for their poor results. Radicaljm... I hope everyone gets the chance at such wonderful life advice! Please!
Save your money!
If you are seriously looking at this school, there is a good chance that you don't think you have many other options. Trust me, this is the last place you want to go to school. Or, you might believe that this is actually a school that is going to educate you and provide the support it claims it provides. Myself and half of the other people in my class are totally embarrassed that we "bought" the golf academy sales pitch. . . Picture yourself 25, 30, 35yo and realizing after you spent $30, 000 that you just got scammed. That's what it feels like to be a 4th semester student at the golf academy of america. For $30, 000 plus they will give you an associates degree, but i can't tell you how foolish you will feel when you interview at a job and they laugh at your education. It's a business, period. . . They do have a few incredible people on there staff but they have know way of helping you. Too many students. Huge scam don't buy it! It's hard to not dream, but don't do it. I promise you will regret it.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
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.
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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...😆