How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

[acq111]

Just curious how a player would go about turning pro. How would someone get to play on the Nationwide tour. I have been playing for years I'm 26 years old and have become pretty damn good at this game as of late. Mostly due to the hard work I put in around and on the greens. Never thought about turning pro, I just wanted to know what it intails and how someone would begin their journey to the PGA Tour as their ultimate goal. Incase I ever wanted to take my game a step further.

Thanks in advance!!

[kbp]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

Use the search function. This has been discussed here before.
In a nutshell, mini-tours. Also, top level amateur competition and/or "open" qualifiers.

[GregJWillis]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

Begin playing your local and state events. Travel to the Monday qualifiers both Nationwide and PGA events within a day's drive (200-300 miles.)

Get tournament experience. You don't really know how good your game is until it is under this level. Playing weekends with your buddies for 2$ is one thing, tournaments are another complexity.

Stay armature for as long as you can. You will know when it is time to turn pro.

BTW, your profile:
Golf Handicap:7.4
Needs to be about a 2.

[acq111]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

BTW, your profile:
Golf Handicap:7.4
Needs to be about a 2.[/quote]

I haven't updated my profile since I opened this account. My last revision was 1.6. I My last two rounds were 70 and 71. That is my consistent score for the most part with the occasional 69 or 68.

[GregJWillis]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

Very good! What were the circumstances for these rounds? Casual, betting, tourys?

[mont86]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

Greg awhile back I found a page written by you about your attempt to turn pro,what ever happen to it?

It is very good reading.

edit to add that I found it under the staff link at the top. I enjoyed reading that second time as much as the first.

[GregJWillis]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

I'm sure it was just as tragic the first read as the second. Thanks Mont.

[Started2k3]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

Begin playing your local and state events. Travel to the Monday qualifiers both Nationwide and PGA events within a day's drive (200-300 miles.)

How do the Monday qualifiers work?

[GregJWillis]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

Most PGA and Nationwide tournaments have registration for about $400 to play on the Monday before the main event. They usually take the top 4, but be ready to play against x-pros who lost their cards, top pros in the area, etc.

Also, new this year is a pre-Monday qualifier qualifier to weed out the hacks (depending on the number signing up -- usually around 100.)

Its a great way to gauge yourself.

[Started2k3]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

Most PGA and Nationwide tournaments have registration for about $400 to play on the Monday before the main event. They usually take the top 4, but be ready to play against x-pros who lost their cards, top pros in the area, etc.

Also, new this year is a pre-Monday qualifier qualifier to weed out the hacks (depending on the number signing up -- usually around 100.)

Its a great way to gauge yourself.

Neat. Just a couple more questions.

Are the qualifiers at the event course or at an associated/near by course?
What are the usual top 4 scores ... or ones you have seen?

[bdbl]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

Sounds like 400 bucks a week plus travel / living expenses is a good way of sorting out the players from the wannabees.

I guess - and I'm some one who can miss the vital putt with just drinks at the 19th at stake - you soon find out if your skills level and mental toughness are good enough even to make to the first rung of the ladder.

[GregJWillis]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

Are the qualifiers at the event course or at an associated/near by course?
What are the usual top 4 scores ... or ones you have seen?

Usually a different near-by course.
Scores are what you would expect from pro's, depending on course and conditions par could win it, or 3 tied at -5 go to a sudden death playoff.

[Started2k3]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

Usually a different near-by course.
Scores are what you would expect from pro's, depending on course and conditions par could win it, or 3 tied at -5 go to a sudden death playoff.

Cool. Thanks.

[jbrunk]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

I would guess even the mini tour guys are + handicaps.

[Started2k3]

Re: How does someone go about turning pro! Just Curious!!!

Usually a different near-by course.
Scores are what you would expect from pro's, depending on course and conditions par could win it, or 3 tied at -5 go to a sudden death playoff.

Hopefully this is my last question on this.

To register do you "show up" or do you have to request, fill out and return a form?

Thanks Greg.

Charles