Need some help here about turning pro.

[Patricio]

I know this might sound ridiculous , but I decided to go Pro.
Now the reason is different , is not for the money , Its just for pride.
There's guys from Argentina , Colombia and other sudamerican countries , but there's not a single one Chilean player.
As a Chilean with a pretty solid game I was wondering what does it take to become Pro.

Anyone?

[gsu_paintballer]

Handicap Index: 20

That will be a problem. If I remember correctly, your handicap must be 1.4 or lower.

[RX Phoenix]

To get on the PTA Tour, all you need is about $5000+ to register for Q-School, then you have to make it to Q-school finals and finish in the top 25, then you're in.

If you mean just being a PGA professional, you need to go through a program I think it's 6 months, and then shoot two rounds at a qualifier under 80 (I believe) and you can get your card.

Or get on the Nationwide Tour by qualifying and finish high on the money list.

[RX Phoenix]

Handicap Index: 20

I didn't know that, I saw that some players in Q-School played terrible and I believe anyone can register if they have the $$$, but this needs to be confirmed.

[Patricio]

Thats what I mean , I got no idea about the procedures or requierements.
Can you point me on a direction where to research?
Thanks

[RX Phoenix]

For complete details on the PGM program and a career as a PGA professional, you can go to the Web site PGA.com/employment, then click on “PGA and You.”

[Ben]

Thats what I mean , I got no idea about the procedures or requierements.

http://www.pgalinks.com/ Learn to become a PGA Member Playing Abilities Test PGA Tour Q-School Home Canadian Tour Fall Qualifying School

[Dent]

Read the book "Paper Tiger" by Tom Coyne as well. It will give you a full perspective on Q-School and becoming pro, you may change your mind, or it may convince you to push further.

Good Luck!

[atrapasuenos]

I know this might sound ridiculous , but I decided to go Pro.

Chilean... I suppose your from Chile

there is one guy, Felipe Aguilar, but he play in the European Tour, I think that if he continue to play good he could enter to the PGA. Saludos!

[DJYoshi]

good luck to you on the search to be a tour player.
just think of it like this: Matt Lauer Justin Timberlake & the guy that won the golf digest contest were under 10 handicappers. Tony Romo's a 2.4 handicap.
At Torrey Pines, each were humbled. I think Romo shot an 84. Timerlake a 99 and Lauer 100. The guy that won shot 42 over par.

Romo's an amazing golfer with power and can work the ball.... but he still shoots an 84. i'm not trying to discourage. i'm just saying, think about the realistic goals. It's an amazing thing to want to rep your country.
just don't rush things. read up on the everyday grind about the nationwide & even pga tour players. it you're not in the top 100, unless you've won in the past, you're struggling $ wise. You stay in hotels with your caddies & even other struggling players. If you don't make the cut, then you grind out another week trying to win a week so you can qualify for the big tournaments. then there's sponsors/exemptions. it's just a big mess unless you're a glorified star.
but like I said, I'm not trying to discourage...just pointing out realistic goals.
With 2 years of golf and 27 years, I hope to be at scratch by the time i'm 35...then i'll think about dropping that $ for school.

[CG031]

Why the heck would you go pro at a 20 handicap? lol.

[Shindig]

Why the heck would you go pro at a 20 handicap? lol.

I think it's more along the lines of that he's a 20 handicap now and wants to get good enough to turn pro.

[Patricio]

Oh boy ,
Thanks to all of those who try to help.
Of course there's others who only talk trash.
On 82 and 83 I was in the national team for the BMX world championships.
I went and represent my country, did pretty good and is still a reason to be proud. Now pushing 40 , I still enjoy the competition , I had won motocross races (local level of course) and some tennis small tournaments.
If you never had the chance (or the ability) to hold your flag, is easy to be sarcastic and make fun.
I bought my first set of clubs on a garage sale , and now 9 months later I'm shooting anywhere from 71s to 85s. (with no lessons btw , just training my butt off)
So , how will you feel if I make it?
Think about it

[x-forged]

Hey man, seriously, if you want it bad enough and work hard enough, I wouldn't doubt you. If your really passionate and are willing to sacrifice a LOT of time and effort into becoming a pro, then go for it. Good luck man!

[Shindig]

I bought my first set of clubs on a garage sale , and now 9 months later I'm shooting anywhere from 71s to 85s. (with no lessons btw , just training my butt off)

I'm seriously pulling for you. I have dreams now and then of making the winning putt at the Ryder Cup. I wish you the best of luck.

That having been said, when you get it to the point that you have a handicap of near-scratch-or-better, consider looking at the Tarheel Tour or the Hooters Tour. They're near you and they're for aspiring pros who have some game but haven't gotten to the NWT/PGA TOUR level yet. Then go to Q-School after you have some tournament experience.

[alf174]

.....and now 9 months later I'm shooting anywhere from 71s to 85s.

Thats a lot lower than a 20 hc. Have you been registering your scores with any organization approved to administer handicaps? If not, you should, especially considering your goal.

[JKilgore44]

Don't take this the wrong way because I too have ambitions on turning pro one day. But you should set a more realistic goal for yourself. You should first try to lower your handicap to a single digit. At that point, you should continue to work on your short game until you're completely confident that you can 2-putt and get up and down from ANYWHERE. At that point, you should find a good swing coach and continue to develop a consistent swing and improve your ball striking abilities. Then, after that, you should consider becoming the first Chilean (can't spell ) on tour.

Not an easy road buddy, but good luck to you.

[DJYoshi]

Thats a lot lower than a 20 hc. Have you been registering your scores with any organization approved to administer handicaps? If not, you should, especially considering your goal.

71's - 85's and nothing above...with a medium difficulty course of what? 71 and 126 slope would give what? an 8 - 10 handicap? in 9 month's that extraordinary. and here I was proud to be a 12 in about 18 months.