What it Takes to Go Pro

[live4u120]

Hey guys, I was just laying here in bed and thinking...

If I have problems with my swing and it takes a while to work on them, does that mean I could never fill the shoes of a pro? I may be thinking REALLY far into my golf game, but who's to say I wouldn't like to go somewhere with it? When people like Kenny Perry and Glover first started, were their swings right on and they already were seeing low scores?

Just my thoughts...

[LongballGer]

Hey guys, I was just laying here in bed and thinking...

I believe when Darren Clarke was 18 years old he was a 10 handicap. Paul Azinger couldn't break 80 when he was in high school. Zach Johnson couldn't make it on a decent college golf team because he wasn't good enough.

The thing is it all depends on how bad you want it. You have to be completely obsessed. You pretty much have to give up everything in your life and practice from sunrise to sunset every single day and do nothing but golf. If you are not willing to do that your chances are zero. It is extremely hard to make it big. There are very talented guys out there that have tried getting on tour for 30+ years and will probably never make it. As for the swing. It doesn't matter what it looks like, all that matters is the ballflight and if it's repeatable under pressure. It's all trial and error for the most part. Stick to the things that work and drop the things that don't.

[live4u120]

Yeah, I understand that. Suprisingly, I've practiced everyday for the past 4 months, no exaggeration :) I really enjoy golf. In plus the team tryouts are in 3 months, so I wanna shave 7 strokes off my game. I gotta get below an 84... Wheww.

[Shorty]

I suggest you read "Paper Tiger" by Tom Coyne
and "A Good Walk Spoiled" by John Feinstein

Two fantastic golf books which put paid to the myth that you can achieve what you want by "wanting it" and working hard.
Obviously, all successful people "want it" and work hard at it (whatever they are succeeding at) but the idea that mortals can put their mind to any pursuit and reach the upper echelons with nothing but passion and desire is, sadly, a myth.
Nothing wrong with ambition, though - Start shooting in the 60s regularly, win everything in your region, then start winning beyond your area and you will then be able to assess your potential to go beyond.

Seriously, those two books I mentioned are a "must read" for all golfers, irrespective of their talent or ambition.

[goblue107501]

Find a good swing coach/teaching pro. You could practice 24 hours a day, every day, and never get better if you are not doing it right.

If you are going to practice that much, make 75% of your time around the putting green. If you can make putts and get up-and-down from anywhere, your scores will drop.

[denver_nuggs_15]

Find a good swing coach/teaching pro. You could practice 24 hours a day, every day, and never get better if you are not doing it right.

One of my buddies played for a college team and all they did was practice 100 yards and in. They had range sessions of course, but the majority of the time, they practiced their wedges and putters. He could hit the ball like crap with 0 greens or fairways and still shoot even par.

It's all about dedication. The club where I caddie, there's a guy (25ish) who is pro on the Hooter's Tour I think. He's probably a +2 handicap and all he does is practices for hours at a time. Like 3 hours hitting his 7,8, and 9 irons specific distances. Then chipping for an hour. Then putting for 2 hours. Then playing 9 holes. Another guy (same situation, but no longer with the club) spent 2-3 hours hitting 8-10 foot putts. It's all practice and most people don't have the dedication to practice for 8 hours per day.

[TN94z]

I agree with everything stated above. Dedication will be a big ingredient!

This actually brings up another question: How old is too old to think of going pro? I am 31 and have just started taking my game serious...my dream would be to try the senior tour. I figure I have 20 years to get that good (assuming my body allows me to play that long)..is this out of the realms of possibility? My friends say it is! And for the next 20 years, this would have to come along side a full time job.

[enis750]

I agree with everything stated above. Dedication will be a big ingredient!

the Senior tour!! hahaha!! that's good....sorry maybe you were serious!!??? hey anyone who plays this game wants to go pro but as stated above and agreeing w you, it takes a tonne of dedication, time and most importantly....CASH FLOW! you gotta pay to play in H/S when my HCP was closer to 2, it may have been a possibility everyone knew me, I won tournaments, played Provincial tournaments etc. to this day, people still ask me if i made anything of it,,,,frusterates the hell outta me especially now that i am a 9 hcp....arrrggghhhhh

[kfowler]

Hope you're not married. I would love to do this but I'm not willing to sacrifice the time with the family.

[rstyle]

As Shorty said.
Read the book Paper Tiger
It will give you a pretty good idea of what it takes

[TN94z]

the Senior tour!! hahaha!!

Why can that not be a serious goal? Not that I will ever be that dedicated to it, but for someone who is, could this not be done? My goal is scratch plain and simple. I want to be able to go out to tournaments and hold my own against anyone.

[ks8829]

I think it only takes the following:

1) time
2) money
3) skill
4) mental toughness
5) support group
6) luck

not especially in that particular order of importance.

[David in FL]

This actually brings up another question: How old is too old to think of going pro? I am 31 and have just started taking my game serious...my dream would be to try the senior tour. I figure I have 20 years to get that good (assuming my body allows me to play that long)..is this out of the realms of possibility? My friends say it is! And for the next 20 years, this would have to come along side a full time job.

You can prob answer your own question. Take a look at the current PGA Tour pros that are your age. They'll be your competition on the senior tour in 20 years. Do you think you'll be competitive with them? BTW.......Tiger turns 50 in 17 or 18 years IIRR.

[mirv]

someone in a thread similar to this one quoted lee trevino as saying "if you can play from the back tees on 10 courses you've NEVER played before and shoot under 70 on all of them... then you're good enough to go pro."

[mdvaldosta]

I think it takes three things, and most everybody's got a different mixture of both in them (somewhere):

Practice Time
Natural Ability
Proper Technique

If you can get proper instruction, have some natural athletic ability and the time to practice - you can do it. In my opinion. But it takes all three.

[shankapotamus]

The most important six inches in golf, is between your ears. The same goes for going pro. Golf doesn't have "natural ability" imo as compared to other sports. It takes hard work, and determination.

[Leftygolfer]

You have to be able to hit the sweet spot, be long, and be crazy about getting better. Preferrably when you are very young and don't have to work or pay for golf.

There is very strong correlation between hitting the sweet spot and handicap. That is with every club. I don't know if that can be taught.

[CarlSpackler]

You can prob answer your own question. Take a look at the current PGA Tour pros that are your age. They'll be your competition on the senior tour in 20 years. Do you think you'll be competitive with them?

At this rate, Tiger will still be playing the regular tour after 50, but at least I have 12 years of Tiger free Senior play.

Wait. Phil is a year older than I am. CRAP!!!