Economics of being a Golf Pro

[saashar86]

Hi fellow golfers,

I have a nephew who is a tremendous golfer (3 handicapper) and he's only 15! I've been pushing him to start competing in local amatuer golf tournaments and he has been doing quite well in them (last 10 finishes all in the top 5). As I am the only other golf mad member of our extended family, I'm trying to convince his parents to invest in his pro career in the future. I have a few questions regd the economics:

- What is the best way to pick an agent?

- Does sponser money usually cover travel, caddy fees etc...?

- I have heard that there are quite a few pro golfers that effectively sell shares in themselves to private investors. Is this true? If so, are there a known set of ppl who provide these services? Is there a standard return on interst rate?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!

[phan52]

Hi fellow golfers,

I have a nephew who is a tremendous golfer (3 handicapper) and he's only 15! I've been pushing him to start competing in local amatuer golf tournaments and he has been doing quite well in them (last 10 finishes all in the top 5). As I am the only other golf mad member of our extended family, I'm trying to convince his parents to invest in his pro career in the future. I have a few questions regd the economics:

- What is the best way to pick an agent?

- Does sponser money usually cover travel, caddy fees etc...?

- I have heard that there are quite a few pro golfers that effectively sell shares in themselves to private investors. Is this true? If so, are there a known set of ppl who provide these services? Is there a standard return on interst rate?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!

There are thousands of junior golfer who are as good or better than your nephew right now.

Fred Couples ran a junior clinic for RBC last year at our club. His initial remarks were toward the parents and he stated that the odds are very good that none of their kids in the session would ever play professional golf, let alone achieve what he has in his career. But most of them, if they applied themselves, could possibly garner a college scholarship that would serve two purposes. They could hone their game AND get a higher education. Thus they could make a decision about playing professionally (or become a club professional) later, and they would always have the education to fall back on. If I were you, I would steer your nephew toward this track.

[Spitfisher]

Freddy, making it real. To the OP at age 15 it's proably too late he would already be in a program and taking school remotely for any possible chance. Still a 1000 to one odds.

[saashar86]

Thanks guys, good to know.

Should probably have mentioned that we are not based in America so the college/university playing oppurtunities are just not available (or as good) :(

Anyway, guess I'll leave it be...maybe convince him to go into Banking instead? :)

[saashar86]

Actually, I'm still quite curious to know the answers to my original post if anyone has any ideas?

[billchao]

- I have heard that there are quite a few pro golfers that effectively sell shares in themselves to private investors. Is this true? If so, are there a known set of ppl who provide these services? Is there a standard return on interst rate?

There was an article in one of the golf magazines about this a few years ago. It's basically like indentured servitude. Think about it, you're basically going to a loan shark. Golfers (any junior athletes, really) are a terrible investment, and any loan terms you can possibly get an investor to agree to are going heavily favor the investor. If I can find a link to the article, I'll post it for you.

[Clambake]

Pick up a copy of "Journey to Excellence" by Brunton. It will give you a good objective perspective of everything you wish to know. As to your specific questions, you are way, way, way premature. Agents, sponsor money, investors? Start asking those questions In about five years when he is a +6 and placing high on the national stage. Until then, simply focus on the things that will get him attention by college coaches, like swing coaching to improve his play significantly, academics, and character.

[mvmac]

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!

Welcome to the site. I'll just add this to what others have said.

[saashar86]

Great feedback guys, thanks very much!

Seems like there is a lot more competition out there than I ever thought, probably the safest bet is to keep it a hobby and enjoy oneself :)

[Titleist Staff]

Man there is a ton of competition out there.  If I were you I would be sending any and all info to the coach's of the Universities & Colleges in America, these guys are a lot easier to get

a hold of than a college football coach. I don't see any reason to get an agent unless your on the PGA, European or one of the tours right below them. If he's that good and you need some helping getting in contact with some of the coach's let me know and I'll try and help. I'm a teaching pro in Conroe, Tx and have sent several kids on to college.

[WUTiger]

... Should probably have mentioned that we are not based in America so the college/university playing oppurtunities are just not available (or as good)  ...

saashar86,

Could you tell us what country you are in? This would help us understand your situation. (As a college professor, I am somewhat familiar with the administrative side of student foreign exchanges, and student visas).

Actually, I'm still quite curious to know the answers to my original post if anyone has any ideas?

In the short run, your nephew should be working with a golf pro. The pro can help identify his strong points to leverage, and weak points to improve upon.

In the site below, the Southern California PGA discusses the myths and realities of playing college golf. One key thing: Very few golfers get a "full ride" scholarship.

http://www.scpga.com/teachers-forum/teachers-forum-myths-reality-of-college-recruiting/

Above all, your nephew has got to want to do it.