There is no better way for a PGA Member to start 2026 than to begin their PGA Excel application – a framework that recognises impact and rewards achievement.
Formerly known as the APAL System, PGA Excel is designed to recognise the achievements and career progression of Members within the golf industry.
Each designation - Advanced, Fellow, Advanced Fellow, and Master – applies to PGA Professionals, Coaches and Managers. These designations highlight the specialised skills and experience of Members, allowing them to climb the professional ladder and enhance their professional credibility.
To ensure a seamless and stress-free PGA Excel application, PGA Members are encouraged to follow these five tips:
- Start by reading the guidance notes in the PGA Excel brochure. Understanding the self-assessment, marking criteria and Value Blocks is vital for a successful application and make sure you have gained accredited status through PGA Learn.
- Select the right category from the beginning. The categories of PGA Professional, Coach, and Manager have different evaluation criteria. Being accurate here is crucial as it can significantly affect your score.
- Comprehend how applications are assessed, specifically the inclusion criteria and the average years of experience in your field. Align your application with the evaluator's expectations.
- Identify sections with the most marks and provide detailed information accordingly. For instance, professional representation contributes only 10% to your overall score. Prioritise sections that can have the most significant impact.
- Avoid hasty submissions. Quality matters more than speed, and build your application over time.
In 2024, a survey of PGA Members who received new designations revealed extremely positive trends. It found that:
• 80% changed roles or started a new job since their new designation
• 95% believed PGA Excel enabled them to stand out over other candidates
• 90% were more confident in applying for more senior roles
• 60% negotiated a better wage or retainer
Pictured: PGA Member Anders Mankert achieved Masters status through PGA Excel
For those wondering how to begin your PGA Excel journey, it starts with earning CPD (Continuous Professional Development) accreditation, and meeting the minimum CPD standards for the current year, which is 15 learning hours.
You will need to refer to PGA Learn resources such as webinars, courses and conferences. These resources cover many topics such as coaching, retail and management.
After earning accreditation, you move on to the five-minute self-assessment, which enables you to review the scoring criteria before the PGA Excel Application.
Here, there is guidance for you to gage if you are the level of capability and skill to apply for your desired designation. Then, you are ready to complete your application and this part is the opportunity to document your achievements and impact throughout your career. The process requires thorough attention to detail.
PGA Excel is about showing the wider industry how you have used your learning and experience to progress. Being recognised by your peers and taking the chance to celebrate each step of your career are encouraged in the PGA Excel process.
Recent standout stories include Andy McMahon who was awarded Advanced Fellow Professional status around the same time he became Director of Golf at Hogs Haven in St Andrews. Nicola Melville, once a tournament rules official and now a freelance golf coach, was also recognised as a PGA Fellow Professional at the end of 2025.
“This elevation of professional standards and clear identification of the impact an individual’s learning and development has had is very positive for the golf industry. There is a clear correlation between highly skilled and motivated staff and the overall success of every element of a golf facility,” said Tristan Crew, Executive Director of PGA Member Services, about the value of PGA Excel.
“Put simply, better PGA Coaches make golf more enjoyable, which leads to more people playing golf. Better PGA Professionals improve standards across all elements of a facility, whether it’s club fitting, retail, dealing with club members, operations or marketing… which in turn leads to a more efficient, popular and profitable facility. Better PGA Managers produce better run facilities or clubs, which of course speaks for itself.
“We want employers or deployers of PGA Members to look at the individuals within their facility and encourage them to engage with PGA Excel because it benefits everyone.”
Click here to find out more about PGA Excel.
For further support with starting your application, click here.
