Want honest opinions, about trying to being an amateur golfer and seeing where that takes me?

Hey everyone, I played my first round of golf 3 years ago, I hated it and never did it again. That is when I signed up for this site. I hated golf, the next year my buddies asked me to play around I did and I enjoyed it more played maybe three rounds never practiced. Last year was my first year I started playing more. I played a total of 10 rounds last season with averaging around 85 per round. I didn't keep a handicap until this year. This year I decided to really play golf to my full potential and I have played 13 rounds and I have a handicap of a 7.2. Lowest round this year is a 76, highest is an 83. When I shot the 83, I had 7 three putts. I technically have only been playing a year since that's when I really started playing. Each round I keep my putts, fairways hit, sand shots, penalties, gir everything just to see what I need to work on. Each round I hit about 60% green, fairways is only about 50%, with a driving distance of 245yd. Remember I am from Jersey and where I am playing the ball plugs and has no roll at the moment, to wet. I typically hit my drives about 265yds. Putting has always been my issue, so now I practice putting everyday and today's round I shot a 78 with 1 three putt which is 100% better then what I was putting.

Shot a 79 yesterday, with 12 pars, 1 birdie, 3 bogeys, 1 double bogey and 1 triple bogey. I know I need a lot of work still, but would it be in my interest to try to do something like this? The reason why I am asking is because I played with a few older man the past couple days and they told me I should get lessons because I could be really good and maybe play in tournaments. I have never had a lesson, everything I do is self taught, you tube golf channel ect. Reading books. I am 5'10, 170lbs.

I have a very short backswing and my driving distance is 265 avg.

Do not have a wood, play 3 hybrid 215yd. 4 iron 200, 5 iron 190, 6 iron 180, 7 iron 170, 8 iron 160 ect.

My history of myself. I am from New Jersey. In high school, I was all state in three sports. Football, baseball, wrestling. I went and wrestled at the University of Virginia for the past 4 years. My first summer out of college and done wrestling, I went and played for a semi pro baseball team in virginia and i didn't play for four years and didn't practice, but made the team. I had offers from many colleges for all three sports. I decided to really try something new this year and its golf. I am eager to get better and it is something I wanted to attempt, but I wanted opinions. My friends all tell me  to attempt it because they can't believe I am shooting this well for only playing a year. Anywho sorry to write a ton, I just wanted you to get a sense of a person I am and that my whole life I was athletic, but now I want opinions whether to go for it or not.

Right now I am a consultant who travels the country and every second I have free time I am practicing or playing.

I say if you enjoy it, then go for it. Lessons are not a bad idea. Even the Pro's take lessons. So don't look at it as being a negative. In regards to your game, it sounds to me like you need to eliminate the mistakes that are costing you shots. Fairways & greens my friend. Lastly, if you have a passion for it, it is a great way to stay competitive and focused late into life. GO FOR IT!

if you are asking if you should pursue golf then yea I think you should. Try to get the best you can and play local tournaments if you want. Nothing wrong with that. Untill you start shooting a few under par on a regular basis you shouldnt be concerned about playing as a career like nationwide tour, hooters tour, etc.

Thanks for the input, I am trying to sell one of my friends dads who is a huge golfer and has friends in tournaments to help pay for lessons and a coach. My trade off is if anything ever does happen, I would give him a lot. Ha ha, hopefully he buys it.

It isn't exactly clear what you mean by "going for it".  If you are interested in playing in tournaments, there are many local and state amateur tournaments available, where you can get a feel for what it takes.  If you mean you think you can make it on a professional level, that is another story entirely.

Right now I mean local tournaments and stuff like that, maybe in a few years if I get that much better. Then I would post again, ha ha. Sorry for the confusion.

First off, I am from NJ also. .

It seems like you have a lot of natural talent and potential considering your scores after just one year. Your athletic background should help too. Remember though, you are using different muscles in golf. It is more about flexibility. If you are working out, do core stuff and a lot of stretching. If you bulk up in the upper body too much, golf will be difficult.

You could look into lessons, but they are not a "must". I am totally self-taught. However, I did have the advantage of starting at age 5 and playing in tournaments at age 7. You could also look into getting fitted for clubs, but again, that is not a must-have. You should only get new clubs if you get really serious. If you keep enjoying yourself and the scores improve even more, then start thinking about tournaments. Try entering some tournaments at your local club.  If you get into the mid to high 70s consistently and a low handicapper, maybe try the NJSGA and MGA. No matter what you do, have fun with it all. Getting better at golf requires a lot of patience. There will be times when your game "plateaus" and you stop improving. If you stick with it, golf is a lifelong game that, at least for me so far, has been very rewarding.

Good luck and have fun with it.

There should be no problem entering local tournaments.  Most, if not all, of them are flighted by handicap, so you wouldn't be competing against scratch players at this point.  If you are looking for more of a challenge, try some state or regional tournaments.  There may be qualifiers or handicap requirements to enter those. But most will allow you to enter, just pays your money and takes your chances.

Playing serious tournament golf is a lot of fun and will tell you where your game is at.  And what it will take to get to the next level, whatever that may be.