Golf Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a golfer provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving maintaining course etiquette and hitting golf balls. If you want to stand out with your golfer applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating a golfer resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
This complete guide to a golf resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. You'll learn how to show employers you've got the relevant qualities, skills and experience for the job, all presented in a format that employers prefer to see. The article also includes tips for formatting your resume according to your experience and strengths. Read on to learn how to write a perfect golf resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
What to include in a golf resume
The key sections to include in a golf resume are similar to those for any role or profession. For junior candidates with little work experience, other sections of the resume take on more prominence and might be placed before the work experience section. These could include education, skills, projects, hobbies and volunteer work.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Resume Header with Contact Details
A golf resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
Make sure the email address you list in your header is professional-looking and doesn't contain any inappropriate content such as nicknames or unsuitable language. Opt for an email address based on your name or profession, or a combination of both. Finally, check your contact details before sending your resume, to ensure everything's up-to-date.
Samantha Jones
samantha.jones@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1985 Hill Valley, CA
linkedin․com/in/samantha–jones123
Resume Summary
The next section is the resume summary. The section might also be called 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. This is a brief introduction to you, your key skills and your career achievements and ambitions. While a resume summary focuses on your career achievements and experience, a resume objective typically focuses on your ambitions for the future. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why golfer roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for golfer roles, while leaving the reader with an impression of your unique qualities and strengths. The most effective resume summaries also provide evidence to back up the claims made in them. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for golfer jobs below.
Good example:
Accomplished Professional Golfer with extensive experience competing at national and international levels, demonstrating exceptional skill, strategic game planning, and a strong work ethic. Proven track record of achieving top rankings, securing sponsorships, and maintaining a high standard of professionalism both on and off the course. Adept at mentoring aspiring golfers and promoting the sport through community engagement and public appearances
Bad example:
Professional golfer with experience in playing golf at various levels. Known for playing well, planning games, and working hard. Have achieved some rankings, received sponsorships, and acted professionally. Have helped others learn golf and talked about the sport in different settings
Alternatively, a poor resume summary would include bland, generic information that does little to prove your suitability for the role, while failing to provide any useful insights on you as a person or as a candidate. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your golf resume summary
Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for golfer roles. Whether your skills include putting accuracy, mental toughness or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for golfer positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
Highlighting your hard skills
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a golfer. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, these skills are essential for a golf resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for a golf resume.
- Golf swing mechanics
- Putting accuracy
- Course management strategies
Soft skills on your golf resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. In fact, as technology develops, soft skills are growing in importance for recruiters and employers, so be sure to add several of these to your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
An effective golf resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management skills
- Mental toughness
Education
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a golfer.
Working as a golfer doesn't usually require a degree. Even though a degree-level education isn't a necessity, it's still important to highlight your key educational achievements, including a PGA Professional Certification or other courses or training that showcases your golf swing mechanics or putting accuracy.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
Membership or leadership of any societies, clubs or causes while studying can also make a positive impression on hiring managers. Consider adding these to your education section for more insight into how you used your time as a student.
Bachelor of Science in Sports Management, 2017 - 2020
University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago
Certifications and Training
In this section, include any golfer certifications, training or licenses you hold that are relevant to the job. These might be licenses that show you're qualified to operate certain equipment, or certifications that give you the edge over candidates with otherwise similar career history. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a golfer resume:
- PGA Professional Certification, 2022
- USGTF Certified Instructor, 2022
- TPI Certified Coach, 2022
Employment History
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a golfer. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to golfer jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. Take a look at the examples below for some guidance on what works best for your work experience section.
Good example:
Professional Golfer, January 2022 - Present
Eagle Greens Enterprises, Gilbert
- Winner of the Masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Club, 2022
- Achieved World Number 1 ranking, Official World Golf Ranking, 2021
- Secured PGA Tour Player of the Year, 2020
Bad example:
Professional Golfer, January 2022 - Present
Eagle Greens Enterprises, Gilbert
- Demonstrated exceptional skills and leadership in various prestigious golf tournaments and events worldwide
- Consistently performed at a high level, contributing to team success and personal growth in professional golf
- Developed strong relationships with peers and mentors, enhancing collaboration and sportsmanship in competitive environments
In the graphic above, you'll see some examples of less effective resume work experience sections. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Resume tip:
Optional Information
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a golfer resume. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Personal Interests
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as a golfer. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Volunteer Experience
Listing volunteer work is another useful way to prove your relevant experience for golfer roles. Write your volunteer section in a similar format to your work experience, including your role, the organization name, relevant dates and the details of your contribution.
References
Standard golfer resumes don't tend to include references, but you might find them requested occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Include a maximum of three professional references, being sure to check with your referees before including them in your resume.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best words to use in a golfer resume
Add strong verbs to your work experience section to show the hiring manager the impact you made in your previous roles. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Drive
- Putt
- Chip
- Swing
- Strategize
- Compete
- Train
- Mentor
- Analyze
- Execute
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Example resume for golfer applications
The golf resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
1985 Hill Valley, CA
•
samantha.jones@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/samantha–jones123
Former Professional Golfer with extensive experience competing at national and international levels, demonstrating exceptional skill, strategic thinking, and dedication. Proven track record of achieving top rankings, fostering strong relationships with sponsors, and contributing to team success. Passionate about leveraging expertise to mentor aspiring golfers and promote the sport
Professional Golfer
2020
-2022
Pinnacle Golf Enterprises (Stockton)
- Winner of The Masters Tournament, Augusta National, 2019
- PGA Player of the Year, 2020
- Held World No. 1 ranking for 52 consecutive weeks
Bachelor of Science in Sports Management
2017
-2020
University of Iowa (Iowa City)
Golf swing mechanics
Putting accuracy
Course management strategies
Teamwork and collaboration
Time management skills
Mental toughness
PGA Professional Certification
USGTF Certified Instructor
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for a golf resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Make your golf resume short and to-the-point. A length of one page is ideal for junior roles, while two is acceptable for senior applications.
- Use a clear resume format with professional elements, including suitable headings, line spacing, fonts and margins, to make your resume as readable as possible for hiring managers.
- Showcase your key skills throughout your resume, as well as in your dedicated skills list, with each skill reflecting the job description.
- Quantify the impact you've made in different roles by offering evidence of your key abilities and your contribution.
- Kick off your golf resume with a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your key skills and achievements.
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
- Don't include irrelevant work experience in your resume because it takes up valuable space and is unlikely to improve your chances of success.
- Don't use complex and elaborate formatting that can make your golf resume less readable and more difficult for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan.
- Don't lie or exaggerate the details of your golfer career or education, as this can backfire later in the recruitment process.
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to streamline their hiring process. They can store and process data, including applications and applicant data, quickly and efficiently. One of the jobs ATS applications are increasingly responsible for is initial candidate screening. The systems can quickly scan and rank resumes based on how closely they match the job description. When you're writing your golf resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Use a resume design that includes clean, professional design elements to give your content space to breathe. This might include clear, readable fonts, subtle color accents and simple design elements.
- Use simple, concise language to keep your resume to a maximum of one to two pages in length. This will make it easier for ATS software to read.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
A golf resume FAQs
Accompanying your resume for golfer applications, you'll want to produce a cover letter that similarly leaves a positive impression on hiring managers.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
If you choose to write a full cover letter, follow traditional letter-writing conventions surrounding greetings, sign-offs and use of professional language. The body of the cover letter tends to be three paragraphs. The first introduces yourself and the role you're applying for, giving reasons for your application. The second briefly covers your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to golfer roles. Finally, the third paragraph re-emphasizes your interest in the role and leaves a call to action, encouraging the employer to reach out to you.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
If you're an experienced golfer, your resume should focus on your extensive work experience and the achievements in your career to date. As a golfer with a wealth of experience, you'll want to showcase this in your work history section. Consider going back beyond the standard 10 to 15 years of employment history to show employers your experience levels. In your golf resume, think about any optional sections you could add to help prove your standing and reputation in your industry. Sections such as awards, achievements and projects can build a picture of your career successes to date.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for golfer jobs. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Aspiring Junior Golfer Seeking Opportunities
- Professional Golfer and Tournament Champion
- Experienced Senior Golf Professional
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Takeaways for your golf resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications, New York State Department of Labor: https://dol.ny.gov/resumes-cover-letters-and-job-applications
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