Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

You need to build a resume and start winning some tournaments to get noticed. At that point, a well known pro in your area might be able to recommend backers.

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

I never said I am SOOOO natrualy tallented that I don't have to work... Work ethic, pisitive attitude, are the only things that get anyone to the show...
Of course Gettting to scratch is my first goal, DUH! im on a schedule. I was able to reduce my scores down from +30's (L-Mid 100's) to +9's (L-Mid 80's) in 19 months, I was happy about it...

If your saying a person should be a scratch golfer after only three seasons of fairly consistant public course, play and some drills.... The USGA has statistics available to disprove that notion. 92% of the more than "2 million" amature golfers (in usa) holding current GHIN #'s never break 90. 80% never break 100.

IM going to go ahead and see if I can get good enough to beat your ^$$ anyway.

thanks for the! inspiration.
g

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

I understood what your saying.. and I totally appriciate it. I guess im average player right now, trying to get better with WORK...
Realisitcly, even with the talent, chances are'nt good playing golf for a living. But im 26 so playing TENNIS as a pro is actually just IMPOSSIBLE... But those guys are human right? Its not as if they can break the laws of physics. Same rules as you and me.
But its great! to hear realistic views. If It takes me until im 52 and I play the CHamps tour the so be it... No cuts are okay.
g

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

I have no room to talk. I play of 14 handicap, but I am experienced enough to know that most courses that we play on, if Tiger or many other pros played on, they would probably shoot well into low 60's easy. They are of course (no pun intended) the elite of golf. I have a friend who is a pro, and regularly plays in Europe but will never be good enough for the masters / British open, etc, but still manages to earn a living.
I agree with Ricky, although he puts it with the bluntness of youth, that you really need to be shooting scratch consistently and it has to become a profession before you become pro.
Good luck, and I look forward to seeing your name on the pro list.

Cheers.
Lee.

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

of course ricky you do have the talent to make it right???? after all your about to attend a golf school where only the best golfers are chosen right???? Then why is it you post a long drive question every day. I'll give you a tip, with out distance you will get eaten alive the way courses are being extended these days. Because the guy has the same dream as you you are going to rip him apart and belittle him because he is what 11years older than you??? Grow up, your ignorance is annoying at best. Vijay would be nothing with his work ethic, keep it up biggaryT78 you'll get there sooner or later.

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

Lots of naturally talented players play off high single figure handicaps Ricky, theres a difference between talent and dedication though. You can get by on either but to excel you need both.

No one will make it as a pro unless they play regularly to a handicap of +3 or better. Guys on the lower tours need to graduate from them within a couple of years or they run out of cash. Remember you need to pay entry fees (£250+) for even europro tour events.

A week on the european tour costs a player roughly £3000 multiply that by, say, 40 weeks and you need to earn £120,000 just to break even.

Of course, that doesnt stop anyone 4 or better becoming a really decent club pro though....it's not a bad living after all.

But if youre only 28 and can afford to take 18 months to 2 years out to hone your game and test yourself, then why not? It's better than going to Tibet to "find yourself".....

D.

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

Fantastic Darryl


Sums it up.


Ian.

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

Piny08 - you have a great swing, one that would not look out of place on tour. I don't know what distances you hit the ball but assuming that you hit it far enough to compete I would say go for it.

My concern for you is that you don't get to play much golf on the course. And you mentioned your putting and short game needs work. This is the major area where the pro's are MILES better than amateurs. They consistently get up and down from everywhere (100 yards and in) and when they play bad (as everyone does) their short games bail them out. This is the area you need to be most honest with yourself as no pro can make it unless they are an amazing putter with a great short game.

Good luck with everything and i hope you make it.

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

Bottom line is, money aside, you need to start winning events to build up your confidence.

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

Ricky,

I seem to remember a GTO member saying roughly the same thing to you not so long ago. i.e never going to make it. I disagreed with his comments then and I disagree with yours now. If you were biggaryT78 how would you react to the opinion of yourself.

biggaryT78 go for it. I believe your goals are very attainable. Golf is a sport in which the participants have a very long career so keep working hard and you'll reach your goals.

On the financial side of golf:

traveling expenses £150 per tournament
accomodation £250 per tournament
caddy £500 per tournament
other £100 per tournament
+ entry fees

if you were playing the Europro tour it would cost around £750 per tournament. this would be less if you found a player to travel and room with.

times that by 20 tournamnets = £15'000 minimum earnings

challenge tour £1000 per tournamnet

times that by 30 tournaments = £30'000 minimum earnings

european tour £2000 per tournament

times that by 30 tournaments = £60'000 minimum earnings

Sponsers and backers would reduce these numbers. Usually what happens is memebers at your local club would back you a little bit and in return you represent the golf club. If your playing on a main tour, you are almost guaranteed a sponser which would cover your expenses for the first half of the season. When taking weeks off you could do teaching as many people would love being taught by a tour pro.

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

In my opinion, there are thousands of individuals who have the ability to make a living on tour but who never get the oppurtunity (sad but even though I can dream will never be one of them). Some reasons seem to be because 1) They just can not devote the time and money necessary to follow that dream or 2) when they have a smale chance (wether Q school or a tournament) they are not playing their very best golf. Not only do you need the talent but you also are going to need a little luck as well to get a tour card.

My theroy for what it is worth is that there is a huge diference between the top tour players and the rest of the golfers in the world. But there is very little diference between the bottom pga tour players, the bottom European players, all the golfers on the lesser tours and a lot of golfers who never got a shot.

You look at qualifying events for the Opens, every year there are a lot of "PGA Pros" in those events and more often then not it is some unknown player who wins the spot.

Also Look at Wie and Annika in playing in mens events, I think that on their best days they are better then half the feild (and will make a cut eventually) but that there are a lot of men, who are not on any tour, if given the chance are as well.

Q school every year is just a **** shoot, after 6 rounds of golf 2 or 3 shots ends up being huge.

So in answering your question, you will need a lot of money or a very flexable job, good instruction, and still need some luck (or at least have your game hitting on all cylinders at the right time)

Bob

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

Thanks for that cct! I appricate it!

Q-school is a dam pressure cooker. I cannot wait!!
gt

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

Sounds like your trying to convince yourself. I'll wait for your NEW swing... to determine your "potential".

GOod to know how, fantastic you "can" "maybe be" but "arent" yet... The info on here is and will always be usefull to anyone willing listen. Learning from others might be useful in taking over the UK Junior golf scene.

This coach is Paid? Money makes people say all sorts of crazy things. LOL.
gt

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

Ricky, if you cant take criticism dont dish it out.

The only person who needs to worry about how you are playing is you. Theres no need to go on and on about it.

The pubs of Britain are full of plasterers and bricklayers who had the potential to be good footballers/golfers/snooker players.

Stop talking about it and go out and do it.

As ever, the very best of luck.

D.

Re: Is it too late to try to turn pro?

no disagreement with the thrust of your comment but there are exceptions - John Daly cannot putt