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

[Golfingdad]

Yup, I think we discussed this in earlier posts in this thread. This kid is really obsessed with golf.

Does he go to school?  Eat meals?  Sleep?  Have friends?

[Lihu]

Does he go to school?  Eat meals?  Sleep?  Have friends?

20,000 hours. Not 30,000

I even wrote that he did 15,400 almost this time last year in a post. He probably only spent 5000 hours this last year since he was on a high school team. He dropped from a 4.2 to a 0.7 but went back up to a 1.7 with a couple bad rounds.

[iacas]

He probably only spent 5000 hours this last year since he was on a high school team. He dropped from a 4.2 to a 0.7 but went back up to a 1.7 with a couple bad rounds.

He spent 13.7 hours EVERY DAY this "last year" on dedicated practice?

@Lihu , c'mon man, you're a scientist aren't you? These numbers should be jumping off the page at you!

[Lihu]

He spent 13.7 hours EVERY DAY this "last year" on dedicated practice?

@Lihu, c'mon man, you're a scientist aren't you? These numbers should be jumping off the page at you!

He's obsessed, but my numbers are off.

For one, the "year" I was talking about includes the last school year, summer and part of this school year. Secondly, he did spend a little time on homework. So, I'm off by at least 33%. Plus, this time includes rounds. I should ask his dad tonight what time he actually spent.

[Abu3baid]

He's obsessed, but my numbers are off. For one, the "year" I was talking about includes the last school year, summer and part of this school year. Secondly, he did spend a little time on homework. So, I'm off by at least 33%. Plus, this time includes rounds. I should ask his dad tonight what time he actually spent. :whistle:

I like that.. so, 33% you say...? LA LA LA :)

[Lihu]

I like that.. so, 33% you say...? LA LA LA :)

Give or take 10%.

[natureboy]

There are two types of people who I really resent:

1.) The guy who wants to accomplish something and get you to pay for it.

2.) The scientist who wants to study something and gets you to pay for it.

The first guy is like the amputee or diabetic or blind guy who wants to climb Mount Everest, or walk to the North Pole.  He's going to "raise awareness" of the disability and inspire everyone etc.  But really he's just looking to have an adventure for free.

The second guy is the PHD studying the effects of global warming on Actic penguins, or he's diving in St. Croix to determine if the lobster population is affected by tourism (come to find out, they're still delicious!).  That guy gets a grant and has an adventure for free as well.  My parents lived in American Samoa for awhile and there were two of these knuckleheads who got a grant to, "study the viability of sport fishing in American Samoa."  That was the purpose of thier grant. They had a nice boat, rods and reels, fuel, bait etc.  All paid for by the American taxpayer.  They would fish about every day and write down what they caught.  I'm sure the report was very scholarly.  I actually got to go out fishing with these guys.  We caught Mahi Mahi and yellow fin tuna on that trip.  What a joke.  It's no wonder that the debt is $16 trillion.

Dan is a hybrid of these two types of grifters.  He's actually performing a study - without the PHD or the handicap (no pun intended)!!  He's taken the art of having the adventure, without the bother of obtaining an advanced degree or overcoming a disability.

Well done con-man!!  You are getting others to pay for your golf while proving absolutely nothing and inspiring absolutely no one!!

I think grift and con are hyperbolic terms, but you feel how you feel. Sharp salesman, I would grant you.

I disagree on guy #1 - the person with a disability taking on a monumental task is pretty inspiring - especially for folks like them. It's courageous.

On guy # 2 - yeah there are some dubious grants sometimes, but that's what pure research is about. The fault on those usually resides with the review committee. I suspect that the grant you use as an example was part of our very targeted government effort to strengthen the economic diversity of a U.S. territory with some strategic value. The congressional junket to inspect the sport fishing industry on the other hand...

[acerimusdux]

He spent 13.7 hours EVERY DAY this "last year" on dedicated practice?

@Lihu, c'mon man, you're a scientist aren't you? These numbers should be jumping off the page at you!

Regardless of the actual number, it should maybe be pointed out that one key point in the actual scientific literature on deliberate practice is that more than 4 hours a day seems to have little benefit. In fact the ideal for many things seems to be somewhere around 3 hours a day, ideally divided into two sessions of about 1.5 hours. And the very best are usually very disciplined about doing these two sessions at a set time every day.

It's not clear this translates exactly to golf, but it's probably not all that diffferent from other areas which have been studied.  And, applying this to any physical activity like Golf, there's also obviously going to be physical fatigue and injury risk due to overuse (such as golfers elbow) if you are doing too many hours as well.  This is why that 10,000 hours is really supposed to be spread out over 10 years time.

So I doubt Dan's problem is really that there are so many people dedicating more hours. It's more likely it's going to be a combination of talent, and not actually practicing correctly, that will hold him back.

[Lihu]

Regardless of the actual number, it should maybe be pointed out that one key point in the actual scientific literature on deliberate practice is that more than 4 hours a day seems to have little benefit. In fact the ideal for many things seems to be somewhere around 3 hours a day, ideally divided into two sessions of about 1.5 hours. And the very best are usually very disciplined about doing these two sessions at a set time every day.  It's not clear this translates exactly to golf, but it's probably not all that diffferent from other areas which have been studied.  And, applying this to any physical activity like Golf, there's also obviously going to be physical fatigue and injury risk due to overuse (such as golfers elbow) if you are doing too many hours as well.  This is why that 10,000 hours is really supposed to be spread out over 10 years time.  So I doubt Dan's problem is really that there are so many people dedicating more hours. It's more likely it's going to be a combination of talent, and not actually practicing correctly, that will hold him back.

Interesting point regarding the 3 hours split into two 1.5 hour sessions.

[flopster]

He's obsessed, but my numbers are off.

For one, the "year" I was talking about includes the last school year, summer and part of this school year. Secondly, he did spend a little time on homework. So, I'm off by at least 33%. Plus, this time includes rounds. I should ask his dad tonight what time he actually spent.

Just for reference a full time job is right at 2000 hours, I think a kid may have 1,500 hours available per year, school will take a very large bite of available daylight. Not trying to say he doesn't spend lots of time cause he probably does but he just simply doesn't have enough daylight available to put in that many hours after other obligations.

[nevets88]

Let's also take into account how much abuse the body can take. Practicing past a certain number of hours a day can be counterproductive. The mind and body can only absorb so much. Another thing I don't like about specialization is there's less of a chance for a person to be well rounded.

[Spitfisher]

So where is "Dan"? this thread began in 2011, one can assume that Dan was well on his way at that point. Its clear today that no matter how many hours, he still isn't on tour or any tour. So there is your answer.

BTW I felt someone that could be exposed to the finest teachers this country could offer in golf, all the time in the world to practice an play, facilities and the latest technology still would not be enough to get on tour. Here is why, it ( the tour) requires the gift, the gift is in your brain, body and DNA and it can not be taught, you either have it or not.

so can we assume Dan has failed in his ultimate goal ?  I know I can.

[Lihu]

Just for reference a full time job is right at 2000 hours, I think a kid may have 1,500 hours available per year, school will take a very large bite of available daylight. Not trying to say he doesn't spend lots of time cause he probably does but he just simply doesn't have enough daylight available to put in that many hours after other obligations.

True. However, I work on average 47 hours per week on average, and practice 2-4 hours per day and spend 2-4 hours doing homework with the kids etc. I take 2 weeks a year off, this works out on average about 4500 hours. I still get 6-7 hours sleep. My son's friend only has 4 hours of class, the courses are 5-10 minutes away from his school. He's not an "A" student, and takes normal classes. It's possible, but in retrospect, not likely? I'll ask tonight.

[nevets88]

Interesting list of other folks doing something similar. Many are not very active.

https://twitter.com/golfprogress/lists/fellow-dreamers/members

SCRATCH IN A YEAR @scratchin1year

I picked up a golf club for the 1st time in 15 years in Sep 2013. My challenge is to play a scratch round of golf within one year, by 11.05.2015.

#TourQuest @TeamTourQuest

# TourQuest is: 5 guys, one dream, to make it on the PGA Tour. Follow us as we travel the country on our quest.

Steven Carey @StevenCareyGolf

On a challenge to go from an unfit, scrappy golfer to 5 H`cap or under and get on a leading UK amateur tour. Please support me and visit my website.

stephen grant @soccer2golf

x pro soccer player trying to make it as a two sport professional by getting my card on a major world golf tour(TOUGH TASK)SHAMROCK ROVERS

Chris Cooper @GolfUnderRepair

Journey of a 7 handicapper working to Open Qualification under top tuition. View lessons, top tips and all things golf related.

Brian Phillips @PGABoundBrian

I'm trying to chase my dream and with a little help from a lot of people, I'm gonna make it happen! Please visit my site for donations, even $1 helps!

[GHIN0011458]

Interesting list of other folks doing something similar. Many are not very active.

https://twitter.com/golfprogress/lists/fellow-dreamers/members

SCRATCH IN A YEAR @scratchin1year

I picked up a golf club for the 1st time in 15 years in Sep 2013. My challenge is to play a scratch round of golf within one year, by 11.05.2015.

#TourQuest @TeamTourQuest

#TourQuest is: 5 guys, one dream, to make it on the PGA Tour. Follow us as we travel the country on our quest.

Steven Carey @StevenCareyGolf

On a challenge to go from an unfit, scrappy golfer to 5 H`cap or under and get on a leading UK amateur tour. Please support me and visit my website.

stephen grant @soccer2golf

x pro soccer player trying to make it as a two sport professional by getting my card on a major world golf tour(TOUGH TASK)SHAMROCK ROVERS

Chris Cooper @GolfUnderRepair

Journey of a 7 handicapper working to Open Qualification under top tuition. View lessons, top tips and all things golf related.

Brian Phillips @PGABoundBrian

I'm trying to chase my dream and with a little help from a lot of people, I'm gonna make it happen! Please visit my site for donations, even $1 helps!

I would do this in a heartbeat but it would be SUCH a grind to market yourself for funds and focus on golf. I have thought of it.. but with a family there is no way unless I was able to raise 400k. I have never even had a lesson and am placing top 10-20 in around 75 percent of the events I play in. My focus would be strictly tournament golf though and I would be playing full time tournament golf. I would get the same instructor as Scott Langley since he is local but he is 200/hr and work a deal with him to get that to 100/hr or so for 3 hours a week. Dan Plan 2.0. My investors would get a return if somehow I made it on every dollar they put in and since it would be full time tournament golf, they would get to see results at least twice a month on actual scoreboards from amateur events. After year 2 I would turn pro and begin playing for money. I figure I am somewhere in the 3500- 5000 hour mark already of practice so mine would be 6500 hours but that wouldn't be my main emphasis. It would be deliberate practice with specific goals and specific changes to acheive those goals and bring it to tournaments. Just a dream though.. if I could re-work Dan's Plan.

[nevets88]

I'm surprised some independently wealthy guy hasn't done this, at least in social media public. Like the guy in TIm's Vermeer - who although could sit back and relax, looked like he worked pretty hard.

[bkuehn1952]

Interesting list of other folks doing something similar. Many are not very active.

Thanks for sharing the list.  As I checked them out, the results are both sad and funny.  It is sad to see so much enthusiasm and hopefulness circle the bowl all too quickly.  At the same time, it is hard not to laugh when someone announces, "Okay, now I am really going to get to work" and that is the last posting ever made.

In some ways, it sort of makes Dan and his plan just a little bit more interesting.  Here he is 4+ years later still posting entries to his blog, even if his goal still seems rather far off.

[RandallT]

As if we need more examples of how difficult it is to keep up a public blog about your golf progress... here's a trip down memory lane with these two efforts. Fair to say they were both crash and burns in the end.

Quote from Post1:

I'm making this thread my "journal" thread. I'm writing a book called "A month to shoot 70's", where it's all my thoughts. The title comes from the fact that I have around a month to consistently shoot in the low 70's until high school golf starts. I'll post here every night for a month, maybe more, with my progress. Pictures, videos, etc will be included. I think it'll be cool for everyone to look back on my notes when I'm in the Big Show.

Day 1

Getting at the course around four, to my dismay the driving range was closed. With winter creeping up, irrigation was set in and it was time to let the grass heal. Understandable, but disappointing none the less. I moved my way to the chipping green, where I would slap at the ball for a good 2 hours. By slap, I don't mean "slap", but take focused shots. It's my goal this month to focus on every shot, putting pressure on them like it's the tournament. I feel really good at where I am, and I'm very glad I'm off the baseball field and back where I belong, it truly feels right.

Quote from Post 1:

ok so i have a very good opportunity to work on golf. I recently quit my job and sold my house to start my own business which gives me some extra free time. also i am taking lessons at a local course and with those lessons i get free use of the range as much as i want. i started playing golf again in september. before i went on hiatus i was shooting high 70's low 80's. no official handicap or anything. since starting in september again i started at mid 90's now I'm down to mid-high 80's. my goal is to be a scratch golfer by my birthday in september. it is my new years resolution and i figure i'll make a golf journal thing of rounds i play (including tournaments on the Am tour i joined) sooooooo here we go

January 3rd

Course - Oak Valley 6372 yards 71/131

Score 86

FIR - 8

GIR - 5

Putts - 31

Penalty Shots - 2

2 birdies, 5 pars, 7 bogeys, 3 doubles,1 triple