Reasons we have it better than a tour pro

[walk18]

Don't get me wrong, it would be way cool to play the courses they do and to compete against the best in the world with potential for big money. But I, like most of the people here, am a working man with a passion for golf. So, excluding the top elite players like Woods, Mickelson, etc.. (who live quite well in every way), I think regular golfers like us have it better than we think. Here's a few reasons:

Flexibility: We can choose to play morning, afternoon, twilight. If the weather's bad, we can choose not to play. We can choose where to play, and who to play with (friends). Pros have a very structured schedule, and have to play in pro-ams whether they want to or not.

Fun vs. pressure: A missed 6 footer can cost a tour pro thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. On top of that, thousands are watching it! For us, we might lose $10, a couple hundred at the most, or just a little pride.

Travel/ being away from home: Pros are constantly on the go, and (excluding the very top level players who have private jets) that means a lot of time in planes, airports, security, and hoping the airline didn't lose their clubs. It means they are away from their families and homes, unless the family travels with. It means sleeping in hotels, which although they are probably very nice, it's still not home. We get to go back to the comfort of home after our rounds, on our own couch, in our own bed, and being with our families.

Guaranteed paycheck: Most of us have a steady paycheck from work, it may not be as much as we'd like, but there is peace of mind there. The pros don't have million dollar contracts like other sports, the really have to earn their money.

Other small things, like: we can have a beer if we'd like on the course, we can throw our putter in the lake (not that I've ever done that) and it's not front page news (see John Daly).

Golf is so much of a pressure-filled job to them, I can't help but think it takes some of the fun out of the game. So, bottom line, yeah a lot of us would like the chance to go pro, but let's not forget how good we have it already.

[wesmcnew512]

All really great points. It would still be pretty rad to be a tour pro! Maybe even just for a season.

[glebert]

I always thought that pro-ams have to be the 7th circle of hell for the pros.

[mako224]

My job is the next best thing to being a pro golfer. My company sponsors alot of golf tournaments, everything from the local chamber of commerce to charities and an LPGA event as part of our marketing. I am basically the company's designated golfer. In April May June September and October I play about one such event per week, sometimes more than one......and I get paid to do it. It sure beats sitting in the office on a nice spring day.

[Shindig]

I always thought that pro-ams have to be the 7th circle of hell for the pros.

Depends on the pro. Some have been known to genuinely hate them. Others, like John Daly, claim to really enjoy them.

For the lowest rung of professionals playing in these pro-ams, it can be a great chance to meet a new business contact and maybe get an endorsement deal.

[walk18]

My job is the next best thing to being a pro golfer. My company sponsors alot of golf tournaments, everything from the local chamber of commerce to charities and an LPGA event as part of our marketing. I am basically the company's designated golfer. In April May June September and October I play about one such event per week, sometimes more than one......and I get paid to do it. It sure beats sitting in the office on a nice spring day.

That's a sweet gig you've got there!

[Ben]

My job is the next best thing to being a pro golfer. My company sponsors alot of golf tournaments, everything from the local chamber of commerce to charities and an LPGA event as part of our marketing. I am basically the company's designated golfer. In April May June September and October I play about one such event per week, sometimes more than one......and I get paid to do it. It sure beats sitting in the office on a nice spring day.

Dang, how'd you hook up a job like that?!

[mako224]

Dang, how'd you hook up a job like that?!

Sales, Marketing and wine-ing & dining clients is just part of my job. Did I mention the company also pays for my golf membership at 2 different clubs, one private and one semi-private. That is actually why I took up the game to begin with......I wanted to be able to take advantage of the corporate golf oportunities the company had available. I started going to the driving range and from there I just got addicted.

[ERC7.5]

My job is the next best thing to being a pro golfer. My company sponsors alot of golf tournaments, everything from the local chamber of commerce to charities and an LPGA event as part of our marketing. I am basically the company's designated golfer. In April May June September and October I play about one such event per week, sometimes more than one......and I get paid to do it. It sure beats sitting in the office on a nice spring day.

Wow! I'm basically my company's designated golfer but that justeans I get to play in a few events at some area clubs. That and they understand that I'll be skipping out early on occasion during the season.

Nice gig ya have there!

[uttexas]

The best things about not being a pro.

No idiots yell "You da man!" or "Get in the hole!" every time you tee off.

Don't have to deal with ridiculous pin placements and course set ups all the time.

Don't have to kiss corporate butt cheeks before and after round (ok, maybe a little if it is a business round)

If I could play golf at a professional level, there are many things I would give up. Wish I had started earlier (started at 17) and had more time to practice. Then there's that whole unrelenting dedication and talent thing with the God given supernatural eye hand coordination and flexibility those guys and girls have.

[uttexas]

Some more reasons

No fines for swearing when we hit shot over water onto green, ball backspins into water or bunker.

We can wear whatever we want (don't have to wear pants when its >100*)

Don't have to look like a donkey hole corporate ***** billboard for investment firm/shoe company/restaurant chain/manufacturer when we play 18 holes.

[flap]

Let me get this right;Golf pro's have it tough going around the country playing a game that they love for a living on the most perfect and private courses in the world for a chance to make MILLIONS of dollars,not to mention the endorsements and all the freebies they get and you want me to feel for them?I do not think there areany real golfers here that would not want to trade in there current jobs to become even #125 on the list in a heart beat.

[golf_junkie27]

Let me get this right;Golf pro's have it tough going around the country playing a game that they love for a living on the most perfect and private courses in the world for a chance to make MILLIONS of dollars,not to mention the endorsements and all the freebies they get and you want me to feel for them?I do not think there areany real golfers here that would not want to trade in there current jobs to become even #125 on the list in a heart beat.

+1. Let's not forget that if you make the cut and finish last you're going to take home a paycheck for at least $8,000. $8,000 for 16 hours of "work." Sign me up.

[traviswise]

Yeah I think the list for why we have it tougher than a tour pro is probably a longer list!

[picrig]

Yeah, I can't say that I really feel bad for them. I'd trade my job for theirs. I'm heading to the Golf Academy of America next year in hopes of starting the process to become a teaching pro. Not the same hassles as a tour pro, but still get to play a lot of golf for free

[iacas]

Just a little counter-point for the heck of it. Don't even necessarily agree with what I'll say... but some people will.

Flexibility: We can choose to play morning, afternoon, twilight. If the weather's bad, we can choose not to play.

That's true, but pros only play 25 events or so per year, and even at an event they can schedule their time on off days (a little). Plus pros travel with the weather - I'd rather have a forced year-round schedule than winter, personally.

Fun vs. pressure: A missed 6 footer can cost a tour pro thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Personally, I think pressure is fun. It's not life or death but it isn't for a touring pro, either.

Travel/ being away from home: Pros are constantly on the go, and (excluding the very top level players who have private jets) that means a lot of time in planes, airports, security, and hoping the airline didn't lose their clubs.

To be fair, a lot of people have jobs that include travel.

Guaranteed paycheck: Most of us have a steady paycheck from work, it may not be as much as we'd like, but there is peace of mind there.

Sure, it's guaranteed, but it's comparatively small too. The upside to being a touring pro is pretty bright, financially.

Other small things, like: we can have a beer if we'd like on the course, we can throw our putter in the lake (not that I've ever done that) and it's not front page news (see John Daly).

Eh, you're reaching a bit now. And you've left off all the positives, too, like "don't have to work all day inside under fluorescent lighting" (like many).

I agree with the general sentiment that we have it good too.

[zeg]

Don't have to look like a donkey hole corporate ***** billboard for investment firm/shoe company/restaurant chain/manufacturer when we play 18 holes.

In Iacas' spirit of counterpointing... nobody's ever offered me $30k to wear a sun visor with a logo on it where *I* work....

[tiger4prez]

i honestly cant think of one reason why I would NOT want to become a tour pro..