Scratch or Better Consider Q-Schoo?

[Dent]

let's be honest here :

He wouldn't have gotten nowhere in Q-School anyways, Isn't it funny when he talks about all his tournaments he can never shoot a solid round? He falls under pressure alot.

He was posting like high 70's and 80's.

[Chris5573]

He wouldn't have gotten nowhere in Q-School anyways, Isn't it funny when he talks about all his tournaments he can never shoot a solid round? He falls under pressure alot.

That's one thing I never understood about Coyne...he had a plus handicap, and always shot terrible scores. I think he even shot a 90 or higher in the Canadian Q School. Not sure if it was his mental game or what, but I don't understand a + handicapper shooting those kinds of scores.

[hurley9192]

Our course isn't as hard as the Stadium course...we're 74.5 rating and 139 slope. If you are a scratch golfer, that means you shoot about 75 only 25% of the time. The guys in Q school shoot in the 60's on that type of course probably half the time.

I say the cutoff to have a shot for making it to the 2nd stage would be +3 or +4 and there is a huge difference going from 0 to +4. Most tour pros are probably around a +5 or 6.

[JYB]

there are so many different Q Schools. Why not try Canadien/Latin American/Australian?

[steve8820]

I've read many of these "What would my handicap need to be to have a shot at turning pro??" on this site. I say forget about your handicap and try a little test for your game. Play 3-4 days in a row at your home course from the tips. Are your scores from these 3-4 days consistantly in the high 60's to low 70's? If not, I would say save your Q-school entry fee money and continue to practice. Also keep in mind that the guys on TV are playing a much more difficult track than you and they shoot those scores week in and week out.

[kafka01]

That's one thing I never understood about Coyne...he had a plus handicap, and always shot terrible scores. I think he even shot a 90 or higher in the Canadian Q School. Not sure if it was his mental game or what, but I don't understand a + handicapper shooting those kinds of scores.

Yeah - was wondering about that too when i read his book. Before looking too much at your handicap - go ask yourself about your mental state, how you handle pressure and if you are willing to really grind it out and have sponsors or enough money to support you for years without income. If so, you probably can make it, but then you probably wouldnt read this post and be on the driving range or in the gym instead working your a.. off.

[CoolBreeze20]

I'm pretty sure Coyne didnt make it into Q-School because he didnt have ANY USGA/PGA 4-day event experience....he had never even played in one. He readily admits in his book that he didnt handle the pressure well. It was a great read.

[dkinser86]

A few of my thoughts on this topic.....

Amen on that. I play the Donald Ross designed French Lick Hill Course. Its a tough course, but it seems to fit my eye. In matches, I have medaled twice with scores in the low 70s. I have shot 70, and probably average around 75 or so. I say the course was home to local qualifiers for the US Open. Of course, I don't have a 1.4 handicap, but 72 got into sectional qualifying. With a little work, I truly believe I can shot that right now, as an 8 handicap. So, could I qualify for the US Open? Probably not. Will I try? You better believe it!!!

Also, as far as going through Q-School and qualifying for the Nationwide Tour would be big. But nowhere does it say that you have to accept the spot on the Nationwide Tour, does it?

[JYB]

Going through Q School and getting to the 2nd round is a tough task. Even to get into 1st round, you're going to have to show some previous accredited wins on your resume. Otherwise, you're stuck in pre-qualifying. It's a tough road but if you want to play top shelf golf, it's what you have to do.

Whether it's PGA, Hooters Tour or Canadien, you're still going to have to pass Q School to get in. (most of the time)

[RX Phoenix]

The answer is . . . you have to be able to go low.

Attended 1st round Q-school as spectator and saw John Mallinger (yes he's on tour now and playing great) go ho-hum the first two rounds, around par, then go 65-65 to be medalist. So, 14 under on the weekend.

If you are a + because you are very steady and skilled, but don't have the knack of going low then you aren't going to make it. The people who advance and make it post some very low rounds, the plodder who is around par is left behind. Even in the finals it's the guys who throw a 65 up on Sunday who get in.

[ezmoney5150]

After reading A Good Walk Spoiled I would never want to do that. The pressure on those guys is incredible. You think a 4 footer to win a nassau is bad, try making the cut to get to the next stage.