Seriously...Could you have made it to the tour?

[turtleback]

Interesting juxtaposition.  Right above this thread was a thread entitled "Fantasy Golf 2013".  Seems like 2 threads with the same topic.  LOL

Several times I have gone to US Open Sectional Qualifying.  So these are guys who have already made it through Local Qualifying.  These guys, for the most part, HAD all of the advantages that the OP posited.  They are amazingly good golfers.  A couple of them were fairly successful tour golfers (Charlie Wi, for one).  There are hundreds of guys who qualify for all of the different Sectional Qualifying events again, many of whom are successful tour golfers.  Except for them, ALMOST NONE of the players have a prayer of a chance of making it on any professional tour, let alone the PGA Tour.

Having the opportunity to start young, have great coaching, and have every advantage may get you into that class of players that can occasionally make Sectional Qualifying.  But it is as big, or bigger, a jump from there to success on a tour as it is for most of us to even get to qualifying for Local Qualifying.  MOST of these guys are great golfers who have NO CHANCE of making it on tour.  It is really just as simple as that, IMO.

[lumpuckeroo]

I would say no, mostly because when the OP said "even given ideal circumstances and the right opportunities", I don't think those situations would/could have happened.  It's not just me having access to a good golf course and good coaching, it's a lot of family and extended family having to help support the cause, don't see that.  Also, as a young person, I can't imagine I would have had the same appreciation for the game and the work that I do now, so can't imagine I would have put forth the effort to excel.

Also, I always tell people during interviews that I'm a jack of all trades, master of none, which would also describe my athletic ability and my golf game.  I don't stink at anything, I just don't excel at anything, I really think to make the pro tour you have to have some part of your game that excels.

[golf55]

I'm trying to make it but first step is going to D1 college. I hate the "what ifs" and all the excuses "if I played golf 10yrs ago, if I had a better coach, etc". I think you either have golf talent or you don't. some people can get better with time and practice. some ppl will never shoot below 69 even though they can shoot 74 on average.  I say if you believe you can make it than give it all you got. I don't believe you can spend hours hitting range balls though. You can be a full time student or work full time and still have time to practice enough to reach pro level. All you need is really 20-25hrs of practice every week.... I dont' think it would help if you go over that. Heck I think if your really talented you can become a pro with 10hrs of practice per week. that's over an hour at the practice range daily.

I don't really know if I'll make it, some days when I'm making progress on my swing I feel very confidence I'll make it on the tour. Most days however I feel like a little kid that's still dreaming about something that I'll never achieve. :( Playing in a tour is all I want and it depresses me if I can't make it. I think I'll be "one of those" type of guys that'll keep trying no matter what. Even at 50 I'll still try cause this is what I want.

[golf55]

Originally Posted by Golfingdad The handicaps are:

Rory McIlroy:  +7.9

Jonathan Byrd:  +4.8

Bob Estes:   +6.2

That's pretty high. For U.S amature you have to be at least 2.4+. Are you saying these players wouldn't qualify according to handicap?

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by golf55

That's pretty high. For U.S amature you have to be at least 2.4+. Are you saying these players wouldn't qualify according to handicap?

Uh...Do you know what a "+" handicap means?  They are on the "other side" of 0.0. The US Am requires a 2.4, as in 2.4 strokes worse than 0.0.  The plus guys are that many strokes BETTER than 0.0.

[golf55]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

Uh...Do you know what a "+" handicap means?  They are on the "other side" of 0.0. The US Am requires a 2.4, as in 2.4 strokes worse than 0.0.  The plus guys are that many strokes BETTER than 0.0.

so it goes from 2.0+ 1.0+ 0.0 +1.0 +2.0? Why couldn't they just go 2.0+ 1.0+ 0.0 -1.0 -2.0. That's how I thought handicap worked.....

[jamo]

so it goes from 2.0+ 1.0+ 0.0 +1.0 +2.0? Why couldn't they just go 2.0+ 1.0+ 0.0 -1.0 -2.0. That's how I thought handicap worked.....

It's like this. You're a 10, right?. Then it goes 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4, +5, +6, Tiger. To qualify for the U.S. Am you need to be a 2.4.

[golf55]

Originally Posted by jamo

It's like this. You're a 10, right?. Then it goes 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4, +5, +6, Tiger.

To qualify for the U.S. Am you need to be a 2.4.

haha I been telling people that I was plus handicap. Nobody ever corrected me lol.