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

[mchepp]

It plays like the standard blue and white tees on the longer course of my home course.

http://www.riversidegcc.com/club/scripts/golf/View_Course_Scorecard.asp

I remember it has a lot of doglegs. I haven't played it in 10+ years. 

If he wants a tour championship golf course to play he can find someone to let him on Pumpkin Ridge. They just finished hosting a Web.com event. Yes, yes, not a PGA Tour event but I doubt it would be dramatically different. 

I would make the case that it doesn't matter what he shoots on his home course. He will know every blade of grass there, not need to do a bunch of work reading the greens etc, PGA Tour players play a different course each week and they need to be good everywhere they play. When I played with Joseph Bramlett (injured PGA Tour/ Web.com golfer) at our home course he would regularly shoot 65, bad days would be 68 and good days were 63. He shot a 60 a handful of times. And Joseph struggled a bit on the PGA Tour. Dan needs to be around there at his home course to be even remotely competitive. 

[Lihu]

I remember it has a lot of doglegs. I haven't played it in 10+ years. 

If he wants a tour championship golf course to play he can find someone to let him on Pumpkin Ridge. They just finished hosting a Web.com event. Yes, yes, not a PGA Tour event but I doubt it would be dramatically different. 

I would make the case that it doesn't matter what he shoots on his home course. He will know every blade of grass there, not need to do a bunch of work reading the greens etc, PGA Tour players play a different course each week and they need to be good everywhere they play. When I played with Joseph Bramlett (injured PGA Tour/ Web.com golfer) at our home course he would regularly shoot 65, bad days would be 68 and good days were 63. He shot a 60 a handful of times. And Joseph struggled a bit on the PGA Tour. Dan needs to be around there at his home course to be even remotely competitive. 

So, an injured PGA/Web pro golfer still shot roughly 65, and on a bad day shoots 68? Guessing that a fit PGA/Web golfer would shoot a stroke or two better. . .

Thanks for the info, kind of confirms what I've been thinking. Dan has miles to go. . .

[Nosevi]

 

Like @Shorty said, can we please stay on topic please? Posts about CR should be in a totally different thread. Please create one in Golf Courses and Architecture and I'll move the appropriate posts there.

Sorry for that. I thought we were just trying to assess how tough the courses and set ups are that Dan hopes to play in the future. I was just interested to find out how much tougher they are than where he currently plays and the only way to assess that seemed to be by their CR.

Would appear they're about 4 shots a round tougher. So a pro that averages 71 on those courses should, in theory average 67 where Dan is (with all rounds, not best 10 of 20). Dan averages 80.8 for his last 20 rounds (I think) indicating he needs to drop about 14 shots a round. I think my maths is right but happy for anyone to correct me :-)

[nevets88]

Sorry for that. I thought we were just trying to assess how tough the courses and set ups are that Dan hopes to play in the future. I was just interested to find out how much tougher they are than where he currently plays and the only way to assess that seemed to be by their CR.

Would appear they're about 4 shots a round tougher. So a pro that averages 71 on those courses should, in theory average 67 where Dan is (with all rounds, not best 10 of 20). Dan averages 80.8 for his last 20 rounds (I think) indicating he needs to drop about 14 shots a round. I think my maths is right but happy for anyone to correct me

You're right, it is related to the topic tangentially, but it started to get a little more Golf Courses/Architecture. Didn't mean to single you out, I saw that you tried to pull it back in, you happened to be the last to respond when I quoted.

Here's the other plan in Australia: 

https://www.facebook.com/igniteproject/photos/a.674898732609817.1073741828.672618602837830/707727552660268/?type=3&permPage=1

Swing's not too shabby. Can't get into though, it's not unlike any other person w/an active myswing thread here.

 

 

Edited October 16, 2015 by nevets88

[Lihu]

No shortage of people inspired by Dan, but that was one of his goals is to inspire at least one person. . .

BTW, it's pretty obvious from the writing style and the content that Nevet's didn't write that message, plus it's in my email as to what Shorty actually wrote.

 

[Nosevi]

Isn't this guy the one who looked like he was going to spend more time in the gym than on the course? I know some have criticised Dan's apparent lack of athleticism but there's probably a happy medium.

[Lihu]

Isn't this guy the one who looked like he was going to spend more time in the gym than on the course? I know some have criticised Dan's apparent lack of athleticism but there's probably a happy medium.

A modern day experiment in athletic ability and mental valour. Can raw talent, focused practise and absolute passion make up for lost time? We think so.

Should there be?

[Shorty]

 

Let's see if this comment is "moderated"....

Your comment is awaiting moderation. 

October 15, 2015 at 12:10 pm

So….
is it about golf or is it about media appearances and column inches? In your interviews you never corrrect misconceptions about your progress and never respond to comments here unless they are by non golfers who don’t see what’s really happening here.
If you have given up, that’s fine. Come out and admit it. You seem to have very little or no respect for the many people who have donated and/or followed this site. Your injury does not stop you from posting updates.

 

Well fancy that.........gone. 

[Lihu]

Well fancy that.........gone. 

Interesting that moderators are taking out things that are not offensive and are on topic?

I see that @Nosevi mentioned that he is in contact with Dan. It surprises me that Dan is still working on this project, but at least I feel a little better that he didn't just abandon it.

All I can say is he's getting older, and doesn't really have any inspiring stories to tell. There are already older golfers who can inspire older wannabees. . .http://thesandtrap.com/forums/topic/58226-tour-pros-who-started-golf-later-in-life-are-there-any-successful-guys-on-tour-who-have-not-been-playing-since-childhood/

I just don't see the point behind the project other than to just bolster his ego. Well, at least he doesn't put down other people in the process like some of our more recent members. . .

[iacas]

Interesting that moderators are taking out things that are not offensive and are on topic?

I'm not sure you're understanding… there are no moderators at Dan's site. Just Dan.

He deleted the comment Shorty posted on his blog. This is not about TST moderators.

[Lihu]

I'm not sure you're understanding… there are no moderators at Dan's site. Just Dan.

He deleted the comment Shorty posted on his blog. This is not about TST moderators.

Ah, that makes sense. . .

[Nosevi]

Hidden Content

I see that @Nosevi mentioned that he is in contact with Dan. It surprises me that Dan is still working on this project, but at least I feel a little better that he didn't just abandon it.

All I can say is he's getting older, and doesn't really have any inspiring stories to tell. There are already older golfers who can inspire older wannabees. . .http://thesandtrap.com/forums/topic/58226-tour-pros-who-started-golf-later-in-life-are-there-any-successful-guys-on-tour-who-have-not-been-playing-since-childhood/

I just don't see the point behind the project other than to just bolster his ego. Well, at least he doesn't put down other people in the process like some of our more recent members. . .

Regarding the first comment, I think so. Another member said it all seemed to be about his gym work but if that's the case I think he's missing the point. I think gym work is important so you can maximise the impact of your skills work but I don't think it's a substitute. You still need the skills in the first place IMO.

Second comment, kind of hoping you don't mean me? I disagree with some of Dan's approaches but at the end of the day where I differ from some is that I acknowledge that it's his plan. I'll look at where he is in a detached way (if I can) but won't put down his efforts - IMO he's doing what he feels will benefit him most. I slightly disagree on a few fronts but then I've disagreed with him on those points for a while now and we agree to disagree. I think he needs to change his approach but I've said that to him as well as on here. I'm not putting him down by saying that, I'm trying to help.

[Lihu]

 

Regarding the first comment, I think so. Another member said it all seemed to be about his gym work but if that's the case I think he's missing the point. I think gym work is important so you can maximise the impact of your skills work but I don't think it's a substitute. You still need the skills in the first place IMO.

Second comment, kind of hoping you don't mean me? I disagree with some of Dan's approaches but at the end of the day where I differ from some is that I acknowledge that it's his plan. I'll look at where he is in a detached way (if I can) but won't put down his efforts - IMO he's doing what he feels will benefit him most. I slightly disagree on a few fronts but then I've disagreed with him on those points for a while now and we agree to disagree. I think he needs to change his approach but I've said that to him as well as on here. I'm not putting him down by saying that, I'm trying to help.

No, you're not recent, and certainly not offensive.

Now that you are mentioning that he's packing on some bulk, I suppose that's a part of the plan that should be recorded? I wonder if he can put on enough and gain some flexibility?

[Shorty]

 

. I think he needs to change his approach but I've said that to him as well as on here. I'm not putting him down by saying that, I'm trying to help.

Just don't do it on his site. He'll ignore the comments and/or delete them.

He doesn't want help. He wants fame.

[newtogolf]

Just don't do it on his site. He'll ignore the comments and/or delete them.

He doesn't want help. He wants fame.

I'm sure he'll take some money too. 

[Shorty]

I'm sure he'll take some money too. 

LOL.

As long as it's given in the worthy cause of the exploration of human potential.

[Nosevi]

Just don't do it on his site. He'll ignore the comments and/or delete them.

He doesn't want help. He wants fame.

I don't think he'll get one without the other. I hope he's coming round to that realisation. 

There are many skills in golf, some like putting most people can get pretty good at with enough practice, others like driving distance take a level of natural ability. To be able to compete at PGA Tour level you need to be pretty darn good at all of them. That's why I think the way to go is ensuring you have the ability to do the things that require natural ability first - if you can't drive the ball far enough to play a tour set up then being able to putt on one becomes meaningless. If you hit a brick wall talent wise, you just can't get the ball out there or can't strike irons to the required standard, then the project is over. No snags you gave it a shot.

[Shorty]

I don't think he'll get one without the other. I hope he's coming round to that realisation. 

There are many skills in golf, some like putting most people can get pretty good at with enough practice, others like driving distance take a level of natural ability. To be able to compete at PGA Tour level you need to be pretty darn good at all of them. That's why I think the way to go is ensuring you have the ability to do the things that require natural ability first - if you can't drive the ball far enough to play a tour set up then being able to putt on one becomes meaningless. If you hit a brick wall talent wise, you just can't get the ball out there or can't strike irons to the required standard, then the project is over. No snags you gave it a shot.

I don't agree with you. There are fools who have swallowed the Kool-aid and he keeps splashing it around.

Let's not even discuss his playing ability or potential. He will never be in the best 16 in any club, so the pro thing is and always was a joke.  He stated that the aim was PGA Tour, not top 2000 in the world or B grade club champion. 

The bottom line is that he is not good enough to be competitive at club level. He is not in the top 3 million players on the planet. He claims to have a handicap in the 2 s and 3s but is then thrilled to shoot in the low 80s. He would be beaten comfortably by perhaps 100 13 to 15 year olds within an hours drive of where he lives.

BUT......look at the interviews. They speak to him as if he's actually done it. He NEVER corrects them. He lies about his handicap "I ....think it's.......about 3......   3   point......seven?" he replied  when one guy said he had got to 2.7. He doesn't even raise his eyebrows or smile when the person he's speaking to suggests that he's done something awesome. He  just nods and goes on with the same crap about "deliberate practice", ,meaning he hangs around a driving range for a couple of hours a day. In the same interview he agreed when the clueless interviewer said he was shooting in the 70s in his first full rounds. Dan said that before he had even played a round he had learnt how to score FFS.  This is why I am so passionately against him. He is a fraud.

Look at the morons who write things on his Twitter feed and his website - suggesting this and that and asking if he'll do this or that interview.

Like I've said. Non golfers think he's done it or has come close enough to make me look like a nitpicker.

As Lihu said  -when he saw the pros at Pebble, he didn't say "Heck - I'm out of my league and I have no chance", he said it was "something to work on". How cluelss can you be? Seriously

 

 

Edited October 17, 2015 by Shorty