golf lessons then turning pro

[Aaronw]

Dear all

I have been teaching at the local club with some of the youth this summer and working with the clubs pro, the next step for me is to become pro. Just wondered what people on here thinks as im only 18 wont be good enough to get on a tour. My main problem is most people who have turned pro i know and have spoke to say they have lost interest in playing rounds they just work in the golf industry.

Cheers

[RayG]

Read some articles about teaching or course "professionals" going "Pro". That's why they are teaching or working in the pro shop. It isn't because they lost interest, it's because they weren't good enough to stick there. Plenty of examples of 'pros' or college players thinking because they are scratch or a little better they can hang with the big boys. They wind up shuffling home broke and humiliated. Shooting par at your local will likely mean you won't make a cut when it matters. Put the pressure of making a living, against the best in the world, on a public stage in front of a crowd- that 3 footer will be the toughest shot you ever miss- and you WILL miss it. The biggest stumbling block isn't the PHYSICAL requirements of playing golf, it's the MENTAL requirements. Do a search on this forum for a thread about the "10,000" hours to be an expert in anything...

[Robster 7]

If you love the game then turn pro and teach. I dont know what the requirements are in the US but you have to be 4 and below in the UK to do the PGA Professional teaching course. I know lots of teaching pro's who still love to play but I dont think its something you go into hoping to retire a millionaire. Personally, I'd rather do a job I love than earn a fortune doing something I hate. With regards to a playing career, the one everyone quotes is Ian Poulter who was off 4 when he was 16 or 17 and turned pro. he worked at Woburn in the shop selling mars bars and worked his ass off and made it. This is EXTREMELY rare though.

[Aaronw]

Yes I am In the UK with me been in university it's very unlikely mento peruse a career in golf just play tournaments for fun and have the odd social round. I am still going to look into it and still help coach 5-15 year olds because that is helping pay for my student life! Thanks anyway guys

[Aaronw]

I'm also friends with former LPGA tour player Penny-Grice Whittaker's son and daughter as they live and play cricket close to me when I have been talking to her she said turning pro was the hardest job she's had. Which kinda put me off it haha

[Robster 7]

I'm also friends with former LPGA tour player Penny-Grice Whittaker's son and daughter as they live and play cricket close to me when I have been talking to her she said turning pro was the hardest job she's had. Which kinda put me off it haha

[quote name="Aaronw" url="/t/70909/golf-lessons-then-turning-pro#post_915832"]I'm also friends with former LPGA tour player Penny-Grice Whittaker's son and daughter as they live and play cricket close to me when I have been talking to her she said turning pro was the hardest job she's had. Which kinda put me off it haha[/quote] If you don't like a challenge, golf isn't for you. ;-)

[MEfree]

Do you enjoy working with the kids and teaching?  If yes, go for it.  If not, look for something else.

[Aaronw]

Think I'm guna stick to coaching kids until at least iv done uni... Still manage to get 4 rounds a week and I'm at driving range a lot as we'll so guna keep doing what I'm doing That's her who I know, 1991 women's open winner them moved to LPGA

[PaneraiMan]

Good luck