You don't have to be the next Tiger Woods to have a lucrative career in golf. There are plenty of jobs involved in this sport. If it weren't for the greens-keepers and managers, courses would fall into disrepair. With no pros in the shop, there would be no expert to help you when buying your equipment. Without a few mechanics, you'd be walking instead of using a cart.

The list of employment possibilities is endless when you think about it. It takes a lot of different people filling various positions to make the game of golf what it is, whether it's a full-blown tournament or a retiree's relaxing afternoon, and the people who fill these positions probably learned many of their skills in college.

In the past several years, golf has gone from a quiet pastime for the well-to-do and gained popularity among practically every age group and social set imaginable. The sport has blossomed into a multi-million dollar industry worldwide.

To accommodate this boom, these schools have sprung up all over. A career in this sport could have you working in some of the most exotic and luxurious locations in the world. Whether it's on a cruise ship in the Caribbean or at a tropical resort on the Hawaiian Islands, no one could ask for more. If this is what you want to do for a living, start by getting yourself into this specialized college.

Attending college does more than help you learn; it gives you a chance to see if you have what it takes in this type of career. You might start out with your heart set on becoming an instructor, only to find you don't have the patience required to teach particularly difficult students.

Management is another popular aspect. If you'd rather work behind the scenes, management might suit you better. Other aspects include marketing and public relations. Tournaments, country clubs and even individual instructors need to spread the word about their services. They need people like you to organize ad campaigns and publicity. Graphic designers, caterers, caddies and many others all work together to make an event or club successful.

With any of the careers, you'd do well to have some prior experience before you jump into classes. For example, having worked in retail might help if you think you might want to run a pro shop. You'll learn some of the basic skills, and the school helps to expand on those skills to make them industry-specific.

Running a successful pro shop isn't limited to a physical store, either. You may have considered starting a golf business online. Equipment, clothing, vacations, instructional videos and books are all products perfect for selling on the Internet.

How you use your knowledge is limited only by your imagination. You may not have the best game, but what you do have is a love for the game. This enthusiasm is really all you need to be successful.

Start by contacting a few schools to ask what kind of programs they have to offer. You'll be surprised how much these schools provide. And while you're attending a professional golf college, you'll have the opportunity to increase your skills as a player.