Listed below are a few frequent Q & A regarding Professional Development Requirement “PDR” formally “MSR”, however the link below will direct you to a series of PDR questions and answers. 

https://resources.pga.org/my-membership/earn-and-report-msrs/msr-faq/

Can I track the PDR I’ve earned?

You may track your requirements and earnings via PGA.org at any time.  In addition, the PGA Membership Department is available at 800 – 474-2776.

Can I get credit for any online course?

All online education offered via PGA.org is approved for PDR Education credits for the PDR Required category. PGA Professionals can receive PDR credits from the many online education offerings beyond the scope of PGA.org, which will be credited toward “PDR Required.” Please keep in mind that online courses/ webinars without an assessment are not eligible for PDR credit. The following parameters will be used to qualify outside online courses:

  1. Course provider must be able to provide a course outline.
  2. Course provider must be able to provide an estimate of the time required to complete the course.
  3. Course must be considered professional development and not personal development.
  4. PGA member is required to submit verification of successful completion and assessment of the course within 30 days of completion.
  5. Pre-Approved Online Provider information would need to be submitted.

It is the responsibility of the PGA member to provide all the needed documentation listed above. Documentation would be reviewed and approved by the PGA Membership Department in consultation with the PGA Education Department. A maximum of eight (8) PDR “PGA Required” credits may be awarded for any one online course.

May I attend a seminar sponsored by a manufacturer and receive PDR credit?

Yes, but only if the seminar is not company product specific or used primarily as a sales promotion. For example, a seminar on golf balls, the history, evolution, manufacturing, etc. … would be worth “PDR Required” credits. A seminar promoting a particular brand of golf ball would not be worth any PDR credits.

If an article is published multiple times or in multiple magazines, can I earn PDR credits for each time it is published?

An article is worth PDR credits only once, even if published multiple times or in multiple magazines or newspapers.

What is the 90-Year PDR Rule?

The ninety year rule is for Class A & Life Member Active “LMA” status members who have attained a combination of active years of membership plus age which equals 90 years or more before the start of the PDR cycle.  It also reduces PDR total down to 12  PDR and may come from a combination of required and total PDR.  If you meet the criteria, the PDR is automatically reduced to 12 at the start of the new PDR cycle.  PGA HQ verifies this information and will update your profile accordingly.

What is the process to approve PDR for online courses/webinars?

All online education offered via PGA.org is approved for PDR education credits for the PDR required category.  PGA Professionals can receive credits from many online education offerings beyond the scope of PGA.org, which will be credited toward “PDR required.”  However, online courses/webinars without an assessment are not eligible for PDR credit.  The following parameters will be used to qualify outside online courses:

  • Pre-Approved Online Provider information would need to be submitted.
  • Course provider must be able to provide a course outline.
  • Course provider must be able to provide an estimate of the time to complete the course.
  • Course must be considered professional development and not personal development.
  • PGA member is required to submit verification of successful completion and assessment of the course within 30 days of completion.
  • The program must be at least an hour long and have at least 30 screen shots for 1 PDR to be awarded.
  • The program must have an assessment associated with it consisting of 8-10 questions per hour of content.
  • Submit the referenced materials to the Carolinas PGA Membership Director for review and submission to PGA Headquarters Education and Membership Departments.
  • PDR Education must be given access to the content and assessment for final approval. (Todd Sammons)
  • Following The Education Department approval, Membership Department will need to know the frequency of reporting PDR, for example weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.

How is the PDR 90-Year Rule calculated?

According to the PDR Rules & Guidelines, members who have attained a combination of years of active membership and age which adds up to 90 or more before the start of the Professional Development Program Cycle, for example July 1, 2022, shall be required to earn 12 PDR credits from a combination of Meeting/Education/Player Development and National Surveys.

Example, according to John’s DOB he is 61 years old on 06/16/2018 plus his active time equates to 28 years, 1 month and 15 days, for a total of 89 years, 3 months and 2 days.  Because John’s age and active service time fell short of 90 years, he would need to complete this PDR cycle that ends on 06/15/2018 and at the start of the new PDR cycle beginning on 06/16/2018, John would then convert over to the 12 PDR Required credits.

Got a Membership question?

If you have a membership question, you can email your question to tkee@pgahq.com.