Do You Ever Think About Going On Tour?

[bshack]

If you're asking if I would want the life of the average tour pro, then the answer is no. Practice is boring, repetitive, and non-social. It's an isolated life. It has little mental stimulation. It's a lot of traveling. It's tough to have a real family life.

This is one of the most bogus answers ive seen. To say you like to get to the top of a sport and then your satisfied and you wouldnt go further is a point held together because you havent had the chance. Im sorry but starting on a high school team in some schools doesnt mean your at the top of the sport... Now you may be very good in a big school so I dont want to say one way of the other, But until you have had your shot you cant say you wouldnt do it. If you were being paid a million or so a year to play a sport where your family would be around you because you could afford them to be around you im pretty sure you would do it.

From personal experience I play hockey in Jr leagues and top college hockey... also have gone through a few training camps with lower level minors. However I never made it and even though some road trips and weekends can be hell away from the ones you love if in any of those camps or trips I wouldve receieved an offer I wouldve taken it. Its the athlete in me... Also knowing a few buddies who are close to the NHL now and one who was up and down last season and talking to them life is pretty damn good right now and their relationships are in tact. I can understand something not being fun... but the worst day on a golf course or between the lines on the field or on the ice is better than an average or good day at the office. I challenge the compeitetor inside you...

[plugged]

I don't ever dream (or rather, fantasize) about being a pro golfer. What I do dream about is playing well enough to compete in a state amateur or maybe even the US Mid-Am tournament.

[Paz]

I think about it all the time. I'm going to try for it. My first goal is to play college golf, which shouldn't be a problem.

You should try to qualify for the Amateur this year if you are not planning to already. I'm going to watch it at Chambers Bay as I live no more than an hour away.

[Rexx]

This is one of the most bogus answers ive seen. To say you like to get to the top of a sport and then your satisfied and you wouldnt go further is a point held together because you havent had the chance. Im sorry but starting on a high school team in some schools doesnt mean your at the top of the sport... Now you may be very good in a big school so I dont want to say one way of the other, But until you have had your shot you cant say you wouldnt do it. If you were being paid a million or so a year to play a sport where your family would be around you because you could afford them to be around you im pretty sure you would do it.

I never said that starting on a high school team is the top of the sport. It is FAR, FAR from it. I enjoy getting to about that level in most things I do, because I can see daily/weekly improvement up until that point. Beyond that, the effort required to improve is not worth it to me. To put another way... I'll keep trying a sport while I enjoy it. I enjoy it while I can see improvement on a regular basis. It just so happens I hit the "it's not as fun as it used to be" point at about the same time for each sport (approximately high school level). After that, I tend to play less of that particular sport and move on to something else. Maybe I'm lazy... I don't know.

In high school (about 1500 students), I played soccer, basketball, wrestling, football, baseball, track (for a few weeks), and tennis on the school teams at some point (didn't play golf until college). Not saying I was the best, but I was at least serviceable (ie. a starter). And at the end of every season, I was happy it was over, because I was sick of the practices and the sport and wanted to move on. These days, I play golf, basketball, tennis, softball, bowling, and sometimes flag football at different points in the year. And just like high school sports, I'm relieved when the "season" is over (but generally psyched when it rolls around again). Oh, and at my size, 5'7", high school is as high as I was going to go. :) I have respect for those that can play a sport nearly every day and not get sick of it. They enjoy the practices and have the determination to grind through the lulls. BTW, I wish there was hockey around here growing up. That would have been awesome! I consider hockey the ultimate team sport -- strength, endurance, speed, quickness, finesse, hand-eye coordination, teamwork, strategy. Although I was in a pretty bitter mood for a few days after the Caps got ousted... let's just say that I need a new Caps beer mug. Oh, and for me, the worst day at the golf course, basketball court, bowling alley, etc. is not better than a good day at the office. A bad day in any of those things is probably going to keep me up at night, replaying in my head how I screwed up. Yeah, I want redemption, but that's not helping me feel better now. But I really like my day job, it challenges me -- and I never go home pissed off. :)

[normdamarine]

Well, being almost 40 and more than likely retiring from the military in a few years I have thought about trying to make it in the senior tour... If I can stay healthy and my game intact I will definitely try to make that tour when i turn 50...

[bshack]

I never said that starting on a high school team is the top of the sport. It is FAR, FAR from it. I enjoy getting to about that level in most things I do, because I can see daily/weekly improvement up until that point. Beyond that, the effort required to improve is not worth it to me. To put another way... I'll keep trying a sport while I enjoy it. I enjoy it while I can see improvement on a regular basis. It just so happens I hit the "it's not as fun as it used to be" point at about the same time for each sport (approximately high school level). After that, I tend to play less of that particular sport and move on to something else. Maybe I'm lazy... I don't know.

Honestly a great response and I was just trying to see what you thought about those things. All good reasons and understand them... and yes hockey is a great sport and dont worry about the caps they will win it in the next few years they just need a goalie because their young defenseman are maturing quickly and they have the best player on the planet

[nuck81]

Honestly a great response and I was just trying to see what you thought about those things. All good reasons and understand them... and yes hockey is a great sport and dont worry about the caps they will win it in the next few years they just need a goalie because their young defenseman are maturing quickly and they have the best player on the planet

I know I have no chance of being on tour, but my pro tells me that I have improved so fast that I might want to think about entering some local USGA tournaments in a year or two.

I wouldn't mind winning my hometowns city championship. It plays over four days, on Four local courses. The winner is usally -2 or 3 for the tournament.... It sounds fun, but I think I would choke...

[GolfBear]

I'd prefer to imagine being Warren Buffet, Bill Gates or Donald Trump. Then I can play all the tour course and don't need to worry about qualifying or cuts!

[bshack]

I know I have no chance of being on tour, but my pro tells me that I have improved so fast that I might want to think about entering some local USGA tournaments in a year or two.

I wouldnt say with a 18 handicap that it could happen however you said in a year or two and if I recall you havent really been playing all too long which leads me to believe you are picking up rather quickly... One thing I would say as its what I believe in is to believe in yourself and work hard... It sounds corny but you always shoot for the stars because who wants to be average. I would look for a few tournaments that have different flights and that way you can play in a competitve enviroment.

I always laugh at those who look at a handicap and then ridicule someone for their goals. I say work hard and give it a try. Worst case you dont make it but you improve and have a good time playing golf. I see you live in KY, check out naturevalleygolf.com and see if they have a tourney near you. Its a pga tour experience one day tourney with lots of flights. Its can be expensive but its worth it.

[nuck81]

I wouldnt say with a 18 handicap that it could happen however you said in a year or two and if I recall you havent really been playing all too long which leads me to believe you are picking up rather quickly... One thing I would say as its what I believe in is to believe in yourself and work hard... It sounds corny but you always shoot for the stars because who wants to be average. I would look for a few tournaments that have different flights and that way you can play in a competitve enviroment.

Thanks man!!!

Yeah I started in March, About four weeks ago, I broke hundred for the first time with a 93, and last Thursday I broke 90 the first time with an 89. I've developed somewhat of an obsession with the game, to my advantage or detriment I guess. I know I'm not ready for a tournament yet, but when I get randomly paired up with guys I'm usually one of the better players and that feels pretty good. The only problem is that I regret not starting as a kid. My dad was a scratch Golfer and he always hinted at me or my brother picking up the game but we never did due to other interests, He passed away two years ago and I really wish I could go back and learn the game from him and spend some weekends on the course....

[cougar978]

No.

I would get destroyed out there.

[lblee08]

I have played in several Wednesday PGA Tour pro ams and one Senior Tour pro am and can honestly say that those guys are at another level that I could never reach. Many people have the physical skills and game to compete, but it is the mental aspect that keeps a player on tour.

[Cornbread]

... and I think about being a Porn Star too... but there I also come up a bit short.