Too old to become good?

[DonMoe]

Hey!

Can I still become a professionnal golfer or am I too old to start?

I am 20 years old, 21 in September. I started Golf at the age of 18 but only during summer for maybe 3 months and couldn't play anymore ever since (because of studies etc). I will have time to play Golf again and I started to wonder, if I will ever be able to become an outstanding player. Due to my age, there are hardly any sports where I could achieve outstanding results if I started now (i.e. Soccer, Ice Hockey, Baseball, Chess).

Is it the same in Golf? Do golfers need to start at an early age during childhood to go pro?

I tried to check out some golfers and their history but couldn't find much on the internet. At least the top three on the PGA ranking started between 2 and 10 years.

I am sure this thread will leave quite some readers laughing or regard it as silly.
But it's just an important question that has been on my mind for quite some time now and I'd appreciate all your answers.

Cheers!
Moe

[steve617]

I dont have any atthority on the subject. I would say that there is a chance however the main concern is how good are you. If in the 2 years you have played if you can break 80 consistantly there may be a small chance. There are many great players that are amatuers and the thing is you have to be very good to even get a chance. I would try getting into some of the amatuer tours and probably you will get a good lesson and be able to evaluate your playing.

[BSweet]

Anything is possible.

[Franco!]

Well, Lee Westwood started at 12 and that was really late according to announcers on the EPGA.

[ganjagolfer]

imo, 20 is over the hill

[GaijinGolfer]

Dont listen to anyone who says you cant. Most pro golfers really dont hit their prime until their 30s or later and even golfers who are in their 40s can win on any given week.
Whether or not you could make it as a pro golfer is really up to you. It all has to do with how far your talents can take you and how much you are willing to sacrafice to make your dream come true.
Believe in yourself and dont let anyone tell you that you cant do it.

[gills]

Too late to become a ••••••••er?

well, if you have the opportunity/funds to drop everything you're doing and focus solely on playing golf and getting instruction almost everyday AND you have an excellent learning curve, then I'd give you the benefit of the doubt.

But, in general, i'd say pick another career path and make it a hobby and you could definitely become a single digit handicapper

[CG031]

You can but you have to start shooting under par before you can seriously think about it.

[Shindig]

  DonMoe said:

Can I still become a professionnal golfer or am I too old to start?

Some people say you aren't a serious golfer until the thought of leaving your previous life behind and turning pro has crossed your mind.

Is it possible? Look at Larry Nelson. He took up the sport at age 21, and won ten PGA Tour events, including three majors. He won the U.S. Open the year I was born (1983).

[x-forged]

Didn't Greg Norman start playing when he was 18? Forgot where I heard this from, so I could be wrong.

[Andrew]

I started at age 7

[GOLFSALOT00]

i started at age of 12(i turned 13 at the end of the summer) and this is my second summer playing golf and im currently a 12 handicap

[LottaBalata]

I don't think it matters what age you start at. Its all about your athletic prowess. If you're the type of person that is simply good at sports, no matter what the heck the sport is, there ya go. Golf is a game for all ages.

It will certainly take you a lot of practice, but I say go for it if you really want it.

[Franco!]

  Andrew said:

I started at age 7

And I started at age 14.

Age isn't that big of a factor.

[iacas]

  x-forged said:

Didn't Greg Norman start playing when he was 18? Forgot where I heard this from, so I could be wrong.

You're off by two years. He took up golf at 16, and was scratch within a year. According to Wikipedia, anyway.

[BASHERBAKER69]

  iacas said:

You're off by two years. He took up golf at 16, and was scratch within a year. According to Wikipedia, anyway.

That is an incredible feat, to get down to scratch within a year of taking up the game. In fact, i find that hard to believe considering my own experience of the game, although Greg has always been ultra talented in my view and has under achieved in the majors. At least 3 times he has been on the end of a demoralising experience in the majors.

[jeffhale08]

Your 20 or 21 years old, have been playing for 3 years and still list a 36 handicap (which is the highest USGA allows for men). You obviously have yet to take it up serious enough. I am not saying you can't, but we're not all Greg Norman. I would say your best bet is to set a goal, say by the age of 25, if you haven't won some significant amateur tourneys, then it is time to make it a hobby, passion or obsession. Whatever you want to call it. My wife calls it an obsession, I call it a passion. There is nothing wrong with setting goals and working hard to achieve them. Best of luck to you.

[bogeyhitter25]

Who cares if your "good" or not. Golf is a sport where you don't have to be good to love the game. Look at me for example.