About 15 years ago, I made that same decision. I was in my second year as a club pro and after working only 7.5 months out of the year for about $1500 a month PRE-TAX (yes, you read that right - an annual salary of $10,500), I realised that if I wanted to reach some financial goals (buy a house, save for retirement) and start a family, there was absolutely NO way it was going to be done in the golf business.
If you are young and still living at home, I think it could be workable, or if your spouse has a very good paying job, you can pursue that goal, but people need to realise that being a golf pro is not a glamourous profession. You work very long hours (12 hour days), and get few days off during the golf season. In my second year as a pro, I only had one instance where I had two consecutive days off that entire year! So much for being able to get away from the course to re-charge.
If you live in a city that has a long winter, you might only work 7-9 months of the year. Lastly, despite working in a facility where people are supposed to be recreating and having fun, you endure complaints all the time (slow play, rough is too long, greens are too slow, pin was too far back to the right, can't get a tee time etc.).
There are lots to like about working as a pro (developing relationships with members, having a certain status as a pro), but unless you are a head pro, it's an average job. You are not going to get rich being a pro, which is likely why so many young players nowadays are trying to play on the Canadian Tour rather than work in a pro shop. The money might be almost as good, an you'll probably have a lot more fun with a huge upside if you are a really good player.
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