The Dan Plan - 10,000 Hours to Become a Pro Golfer (Dan McLaughlin)

[DrvFrShow]

Dan's goal is to turn pro and play on the pro tour. He isn't even playing in his club championship. So does his amateur status really matter at this point? Or is this once a pro, always a pro? Or if one doesn't compete for X period of time one loses their card and returns to amateur status.

BTW, Erik, that's a sick deal. Dan should take it.

[nevets88]

If Dan McLaughlin wants to move to Chautauqua, NY for the summer, I will work with him - free - for four to eight hours per week.

He would be responsible for everything else (including any fees to play the courses there), but he'd have access to me, high-speed video, a SAM PuttLab, a FlightScope, a SwingCatalyst force plate system, and a great practice facility either at Chautauqua and at Golf Evolution in Erie, PA.

Dan cannot afford instruction, seemingly, and this would help him quite a bit with that when he arguably needs it most. I don't want promotion on his blog or site (or in interviews, etc.). I would require that I can use photos and video to discuss what we're working on here on TST.

This calls for a "Godfather" quote:

[tdiii]

And a smooth 84 (10.8 stroke differential) yesterday for Dan to officially remove his 73 from the handicap calculation. . . .10 straight rounds in the 80s. . .

[Nosevi]

And a smooth 84 (10.8 stroke differential) yesterday for Dan to officially remove his 73 from the handicap calculation. . . .10 straight rounds in the 80s. . .

My maths is rubbish but if his average of the best 10 loses the 73 he shot on a 73.0 rated course (differential 0.0) and picks up the next lowest differential which is 8.9 wouldn't that raise his handicap by 1/10th of that differential putting it up at around 6.4? That's more or less where it was mid 2012.

Genuinely - what's going on?!?!

Has he been in touch yet, Erik? :)

[DrvFrShow]

Erik, post your offer on his blog!

He could lease his place for the summer, then rent some cheap apartment for the summer in whatever that place is in NY.

[tdiii]

My maths is rubbish but if his average of the best 10 loses the 73 he shot on a 73.0 rated course (differential 0.0) and picks up the next lowest differential which is 8.9 wouldn't that raise his handicap by 1/10th of that differential putting it up at around 6.4? That's more or less where it was mid 2012.

Genuinely - what's going on?!?!

Has he been in touch yet, Erik? :)

Yes, right around 6.4.  If he posts enough rounds this month, the 2.1 differential will drop off too. . .

[newtogolf]

Is it just me, or does he always look a tad slovenly in these publicity photos? His hair looks unkempt, his physique is not particularly athletic, his clothes don't look like they fit quite right, often untucked. His clothing style seems to be that of a golf-outsider. Nothing wrong with that, but it has become part of his branding to me. Always that look of a newbie somehow. I'm not a style-officianado (I dress pretty casually myself), but he just doesn't ever have the appearance of someone who is a "golf guy," whatever that is. Hard to put my finger on what I mean, but in the back of my mind, he just doesn't look the part.

I think he's going for the "Regular Guy" look.

[Shorty]

I think he's going for the "Regular Guy" look.

Cool, laid back. Just an ordinary guy succeeding brilliantly at the extraordinary.

Wistfully gazing into the future.

[Shorty]

BTW, Erik, that's a sick deal. Dan should take it.

It's an amazing and exceptionally generous offer.

The problem is that Dan is about making excuses, not finding solutions, so by accepting it he'd have to acknowledge that the problem might be with him.

He will probably ask if Erik can go to him instead.

[newtogolf]

If Dan McLaughlin wants to move to Chautauqua, NY for the summer, I will work with him - free - for four to eight hours per week.

He would be responsible for everything else (including any fees to play the courses there), but he'd have access to me, high-speed video, a SAM PuttLab, a FlightScope, a SwingCatalyst force plate system, and a great practice facility either at Chautauqua and at Golf Evolution in Erie, PA.

Dan cannot afford instruction, seemingly, and this would help him quite a bit with that when he arguably needs it most. I don't want promotion on his blog or site (or in interviews, etc.). I would require that I can use photos and video to discuss what we're working on here on TST.

It's a very generous offer but I'd be concerned that you and 5Sk would have their reputation damaged given his apparent lack of determination and effort to achieve the goal he's set.

[Lihu]

It's an amazing and exceptionally generous offer.

The problem is that Dan is about making excuses, not finding solutions, so by accepting it he'd have to acknowledge that the problem might be with him.

He will probably ask if Erik can go to him instead.

That's about $480-$960 per week of free instruction and possibly more because they are training with the latest monitoring equipment and at decent courses. Maybe, I'm just being jealous, but if he makes an excuse to turn this down. . .

[Nosevi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrvFrShow

BTW, Erik, that's a sick deal. Dan should take it.

It's an amazing and exceptionally generous offer.

The problem is that Dan is about making excuses, not finding solutions, so by accepting it he'd have to acknowledge that the problem might be with him.

He will probably ask if Erik can go to him instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iacas

If Dan McLaughlin wants to move to Chautauqua, NY for the summer, I will work with him - free - for four to eight hours per week.

He would be responsible for everything else (including any fees to play the courses there), but he'd have access to me, high-speed video, a SAM PuttLab, a FlightScope, a SwingCatalyst force plate system, and a great practice facility either at Chautauqua and at Golf Evolution in Erie, PA.

Dan cannot afford instruction, seemingly, and this would help him quite a bit with that when he arguably needs it most. I don't want promotion on his blog or site (or in interviews, etc.). I would require that I can use photos and video to discuss what we're working on here on TST.

It's a very generous offer but I'd be concerned that you and 5Sk would have their reputation damaged given his apparent lack of determination and effort to achieve the goal he's set.

It's a great offer but surely he doesn't need something as radical as moving across the country.

Besides, if affording lessons locally is an issue then surely paying to play courses where you're not a member, paying travel expenses, possibly renting without totally covering the whole period by renting your own place out every week you're away...... surely all of this would cost a darn sight more than a half decent coach giving the guy some guidance?

[pullfade]

If Dan McLaughlin wants to move to Chautauqua, NY for the summer, I will work with him - free - for four to eight hours per week.

He would be responsible for everything else (including any fees to play the courses there), but he'd have access to me, high-speed video, a SAM PuttLab, a FlightScope, a SwingCatalyst force plate system, and a great practice facility either at Chautauqua and at Golf Evolution in Erie, PA.

Dan cannot afford instruction, seemingly, and this would help him quite a bit with that when he arguably needs it most. I don't want promotion on his blog or site (or in interviews, etc.). I would require that I can use photos and video to discuss what we're working on here on TST.

It won't matter. It's not like he hasn't worked with some well known instructors in Oregon and even some guys that have played the game professionally, myself included. He's never been in the mindset of actually wanting to change his swing. I said it on this forum months ago that he needs to stop playing rounds and actually commit a year or more to tearing down and rebuilding his swing if he wants to see any progress. The instructor is only as good as the students willingness to change and Dan isn't willing to change.

[iacas]

It's a very generous offer but I'd be concerned that you and 5Sk would have their reputation damaged given his apparent lack of determination and effort to achieve the goal he's set.

I'm not worried about it. The Keys, as you know, work just fine. I'd be as honest about Dan's progress as I am about anything else.

It's a great offer but surely he doesn't need something as radical as moving across the country.

He needs to improve his swing. He's not getting any instruction right now in Portland (or wherever he lives).

Besides, if affording lessons locally is an issue then surely paying to play courses where you're not a member, paying travel expenses, possibly renting without totally covering the whole period by renting your own place out every week you're away...... surely all of this would cost a darn sight more than a half decent coach giving the guy some guidance?

The courses at Chautauqua have a very inexpensive membership. Travel is one-time each way. Renting is inexpensive (a bunch of people rent in that area for the summer). He'd be getting free instruction.

"Half decent" coaches still cost quite a bit of money. Quite a bit, in fact, especially if you get 4+ hours a week.

I said it on this forum months ago that he needs to stop playing rounds and actually commit a year or more to tearing down and rebuilding his swing if he wants to see any progress.

I disagree. No golfer needs to "tear down and rebuild" their golf swing. You work on the priority piece, and assess what that priority is fairly often. That's it.

[tdiii]

The good news:  Dan broke 80, with a 77 (4.7 differential).  The bad news:  His next round was an 86 (12.5 differential).   Both at his home course.

Next round his 74 (2.1 differential) drops off.

Unless he starts cherry picking rounds or has a breakthrough, I'm guessing he'll be a 7 with his next revision.

[Lihu]

The good news:  Dan broke 80, with a 77 (4.7 differential).  The bad news:  His next round was an 86 (12.5 differential).   Both at his home course.  Next round his 74 (2.1 differential) drops off.  Unless he starts cherry picking rounds or has a breakthrough, I'm guessing he'll be a 7 with his next revision.

Nice work researching, and the 7 is probably just him getting his cobwebs out. I played a few low handicaps who shot terribly on their first rounds of the season. Pars and birdies came towards the end of the rounds. They said it takes them at least a dozen rounds to start shooting their handicaps.

[tdiii]

Nice work researching, and the 7 is probably just him getting his cobwebs out. I played a few low handicaps who shot terribly on their first rounds of the season. Pars and birdies came towards the end of the rounds. They said it takes them at least a dozen rounds to start shooting their handicaps.

Possibly.  He posted 13 scores in March and 3 so far in April.

Per his "Countdown to 10,000" portion of his blog, he played a lot of golf in January and February.

[Pretzel]

Possibly.  He posted 13 scores in March and 3 so far in April.

At least for me this year my cobwebs were gone after three rounds. Strangely enough the things that I usually have most trouble with after a break, chipping and putting, have been the quickest to return and I'm putting better now than I was all last year.