How do you practice to be a pro?

[jonanthans]

Why is that? Let's say in 5 years, when you're 23 years old and get to scratch or better? That's still too late to make it on tour?

It's never too late, don't listen to any advice that tells you otherwise. Your success depends strictly on your talent and drive. There are people who pick this sport up well past their teenage years and become scratch golfers. If you have the talent and the resources to pursue your dream, by all means go for it.

[wachesawgolfer]

How do you practice to be a pro. Simple, work on your backswing so its repeatable, athletic, smooth and highly coiled. You can practice it anywhere, anytime, but the repeatability of a pro golf swing is a solid move back away from the ball. The more flexibility and coil you can attain the more powerful your effortless swing will have. Second, you have to love to play around with and practice the short game. Chipping in your yard to targets, through chairs, or around your neighborhood, constantly. Its helps to grow up on a golf course with a pro dad or mom, but if you have the focus and know what to practice, you can really improve. Knowledge and love of the game are the keys to success.

[FortAsel]

It's never too late, don't listen to any advice that tells you otherwise. Your success depends strictly on your talent and drive. There are people who pick this sport up well past their teenage years and become scratch golfers. If you have the talent and the resources to pursue your dream, by all means go for it.

For example, Gary Wolmsterhouse (or something like that, I can't really type his last name) was a 23 at age 18, and by the age of 23, he was a scratch. He is one of the legends of the world amateur golf. He won twice the british amateur.

Like they said, get a job at your local course in exchage for free practice/ rounds. If you work hard, and smart, enough, someone will notice it and will sponsor you.

[CosmosMpower]

How to make a small fortune in golf is pretty similar to how you make a small fortune as a race car driver.










Start with a large one.

[Shindig]

For example, Gary Wolmsterhouse (or something like that, I can't really type his last name) was a 23 at age 18, and by the age of 23, he was a scratch. He is one of the legends of the world amateur golf. He won twice the british amateur.

I hadn't realize Westenholme was a late bloomer, golf-wise, but he did have a legendary amateur career. It was a real shock to some when he turned pro in anticipation of senior professional golf.

[Crafty]

As far as practice goes, there is no replacement for quality repetition. In golf, the best way to get better is to learn to do something the correct way and do it over and over until it is natural to the body. This is why tour professionals are so consistent. They spend time with an instructor and then spend the rest of their time repeating that move/motion until it is commited to muscle memory. However, the way golf is practiced is rapidly changing as well. Practice sessions are no longer just an 8 hour day on the range and putting green. Physical fitness and the mental aspect of the game are becoming a much more substantial proportion of how the best players in the world spend their time trying to get better.

[KwSipp]

One of the best tips I got from listening to Gary Player talk about practice time at the range is never put the basket in front of you always put a few feet away out of sight.... this will help you slow down and think about the one ball in front of you and the shot your working on ext., and working at a local golfcourse helps alot you can really learn how to read the greens better while your cutting them lol and you just get more comfortable being on the course more ... plus free golf/range is the best when you get to listen to the teaching pro give tips and what not to whoever is taking lessons Ive personally picked up alot just by listening haha

[DrivingRangeJunkie]

this is what I think:

Its never too late to get on the tour. There are some pros that started golf in their teens and still made it to the tour. Yes, it requires a huge amount of time and dedication to get to that type of skill level, but I think all it takes to get to the PGA tour would be to play high school golf, play exceptionally well to be recruited and play college golf. (Of course if you are past this age, then yes it may be too late, but even then you could still get on the tour. Thankfully for me I still have this entire year and the summer to sharpen and hone my game before the 2009-2010 season) From there, the road map has been laid out, and you go where it takes you. Some end up on the PGA tour, some don't.

[1dayIllBaPro]

Honestly, I don't think you need to practice everyday. I remember Annika, one time, didn't touch a club for a really long time. She could still come back and play well. For me, golf is about repeating the feels, feels, and feels. If you can repeat it everytime or at least over 90%, you got an A ;)

And you have to know how to practice. Don't just hit the ball. Aim at something such as a flag, a sign, etc. and try to hit the ball there.

Get yourself a routine. I start with streching, then 52* wedge, 8, 6, 4, 3wood, and Driver. I do this everytime I am at the range. I also do this when I play other sports since I was a kid. I learn that doing this is the best way to improve the skill because since you do the same thing everytime, you should get better the next time you do it.

[Neil]

Slightly off topic but interesting;

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle4107900.ece

This is an article about Gary Wolstenholme written prior to his participation in th '08 US Open (he ended up playing as 1st reserve). The article mentions how he is at Torey Pines completely broke and unable to afford to feed himself.

For me, this shows the dedication you need to achieve his level without major finacial backing. (Wolstenholme is a hero of mine and I wish him nothing but success in his Pro career.)