Who doesn't want to be a pro?

[JonMA1]

If I were a pro, I’d practice from sun up to sun down and never be satisfied with my game. If the other pro’s tried to joke around too much while playing a round, I’d say to them “listen fellas, I’m not really into playing jolly golf” (that would shut ‘em up). Then I’d criticize them for not working on their game as hard as me. I’d look down my nose at amateurs (even the low cappers) and wonder why the game doesn’t come easy to everyone.

Eventually, my body would wear out. I’d come to the painful realization that I can no longer compete at that level. I’d talk about how good I used to be. At first, my friends would enjoy hearing all the stories but that of course would get old - for them anyway.

After retiring from competitive golf, I’d start making my own line of clubs… running a business is a nice relaxing transition into retirement. Or I’d be some blowhard golf analyst on TV…  that would be awesome!

Yeah, life would be a lot more fun if I were a pro.

The reality is I’d spend money proportionately to what I’d make and be left with little more for retirement than I have now. And if I so much as looked at another woman, my wife would castrate me with a dull butter knife. As far as traveling and experiencing other cultures, overrated IMO.

The upside? I’d have a really good game. I could effortlessly drive the ball 300 yards, hit beautiful shots from any lie, regularly hit GIR’s, control spin - all of this on the nicest courses, all day long, every day. That would be cool!

[Lihu]

You're right. I got caught up laughing at, and feeding the trolls again...

I change my answer.

No. I would rather spend my days pounding keys on a computer, working the controls on an excavator, ringing up sales at Dicks....

Cheers!

This is why I answered "Yes" to the poll, but I also commented that of the two choices there was only one reasonable answer the way it was written.

[tristanhilton85]

I voted no... and it's not that I want to keep "pounding a keyboard or ringing up sales at Dick's." It's because I don't want to be a tour pro... As much as I love golf, I like living where I live and would rather not be on the road.

The thread asks a pretty simple question and really the answers are Yes or No... the stuff after the yes or no is a bit silly; if you're answering it based off of that, I think you missed the point.

[Lihu]

I voted no... and it's not that I want to keep "pounding a keyboard or ringing up sales at Dick's." It's because I don't want to be a tour pro... As much as I love golf, I like living where I live and would rather not be on the road.

The thread asks a pretty simple question and really the answers are Yes or No... the stuff after the yes or no is a bit silly; if you're answering it based off of that, I think you missed the point.

That's because you used your creativity to answer the question the way you wanted.

[tristanhilton85]

That's because you used your creativity to answer the question the way you wanted.

No. I'm not using creativity... The question is "Who doesn't want to be a tour pro?" That's a yes or no question... the rest of the answer was silly and limiting.

[billchao]

At this time, I'd also like to mention that excavators are awesome.

[Fourputt]

The question is obviously assuming youre at the top.. Or else why ask it...very few would want to be lonely grinder.. If the question is asking do you want to be a run of the mill pro, or club pro only... I agree.. No. But I thought this meant successful?? Obviously personally and professionally... The whole question was asked I thought get to get those kooky no answers to hear why. I simply said. I'd love it under successful circumstance, anyone that says no is lying to themselves...

That's my point.

All it asks is "Who doesn't want to be a pro?".  Obviously, there are quite a few of us who have no interest in it, for a lot of different reasons.  Why you would feel that we all have to think the same as you baffles me.

And by the way, I took the poll as simple yes or no.  I answered no.  The rest of that option is irrelevant.  And you are definitely the only one acting like a troll.

[mcanadiens]

I suppose it would be a helpful (if hard to imagine thing) to be at the very top of the game. Personally, I don't do well with crowds. So I answered no.

[RussUK]

I echo the sentiments of many of the people here in that golf is a fun pastime. As soon as you make it your job then for a lot of people the fun goes.

Some people love their jobs but a lot do their jobs because they have to.

I'd hate the idea of a missed 2 footer costing me X amount of prize money as apposed to being laughed at by my mates!

Pressure ruins the fun

[Moppy]

I suppose it would be a helpful (if hard to imagine thing) to be at the very top of the game. Personally, I don't do well with crowds. So I answered no.

I got the feeling from seeing Bubba Watson play live that he didn't really like the crowds either. I don't think Phil enjoys being on camera very much, have you ever seen him smile in a non pained way? I love Phil, I am reading his book and learning a lot, I am just saying I don't think he is comfortable with fame. Tiger is living through a personal hell right now.

At this time, I'd also like to mention that excavators are awesome.

I agree. On the show Mythbusters they threaded a needle with one. I am betting that the guys who operate these things are the best putters, or green readers, anyway.

[Moppy]

Back to OT, I feel that the post was written to garner "yes" votes - an affirmation of the OP's belief.   But the last time I checked, yes and no votes were running neck to neck.   There's a lesson there somewhere.

I would find it interesting if somebody with more golf cred than I have wrote a non snarky poll on the subject, with better options. I came to golf way too late to ever even dabble with the dream of being a pro, so I don't think I can come up with legitimate poll questions, but even with those snark questions, the thread has some legs and has drawn some interesting responses. I wrote it aimed at all of the "I want to be a pro" threads we all love so much. I guess I should have included some kind of snark indicator.

[GolfLug]

I voted no for the sole reason that I cannot imagine doing golf 24/7 for the next 2-3 decades. Nothing against all who do it but I think that it would be too limited a field of vision, too monotonous, too exacting for too long a time from my perspective. It would probably like trying to maintain an unreliable clock within +/-1-2 seconds........for perpetuity, which I don't think is boring as much as it is difficult. Incredibly difficult even if you have loads of talent. I already think about golf and the nuances of  my swing for a large portion of my day. I believe it would drive me nuts in a couple of years if I had to do it all the time.

P.S> My current version of keyboard pounding is not mindless at all and I do not mind at all. All things including golf at pinnacle have their share of drudgery.

[rkim291968]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkim291968

Back to OT, I feel that the post was written to garner "yes" votes - an affirmation of the OP's belief.   But the last time I checked, yes and no votes were running neck to neck.   There's a lesson there somewhere.

I would find it interesting if somebody with more golf cred than I have wrote a non snarky poll on the subject, with better options. I came to golf way too late to ever even dabble with the dream of being a pro, so I don't think I can come up with legitimate poll questions, but even with those snark questions, the thread has some legs and has drawn some interesting responses. I wrote it aimed at all of the "I want to be a pro" threads we all love so much. I guess I should have included some kind of snark indicator.

Indeed.  Regardless of how you wrote the thread, many posters got it and responded with their belief.   I am a bit surprise that "no" vote is at 50% (plus or minus few).   It goes to show many here know what it takes to be a top tour pros (and it isn't all fun, women, money, ...).

[Lihu]

[QUOTE name="Moppy" url="/t/79592/who-doesnt-want-to-be-a-pro/72#post_1103623"]   [QUOTE name="rkim291968" url="/t/79592/who-doesnt-want-to-be-a-pro/54#post_1102413"]    Back to OT, I feel that the post was written to garner "yes" votes - an affirmation of the OP's belief.   But the last time I checked, yes and no votes were running neck to neck.   There's a lesson there somewhere. [/QUOTE] I would find it interesting if somebody with more golf cred than I have wrote a non snarky poll on the subject, with better options. I came to golf way too late to ever even dabble with the dream of being a pro, so I don't think I can come up with legitimate poll questions, but even with those snark questions, the thread has some legs and has drawn some interesting responses. I wrote it aimed at all of the "I want to be a pro" threads we all love so much. I guess I should have included some kind of snark indicator. [/QUOTE] Indeed.  Regardless of how you wrote the thread, many posters got it and responded with their belief.   I am a bit surprise that "no" vote is at 50% (plus or minus few).   It goes to show many here know what it takes to be a top tour pros (and it isn't all fun, women, money, ...).

Sorry if my response was possibly a little snarky, but there should be more options. The poll question gave us no choice other than yes, really. It could have had an option like, "No, I'm happy with what I do for a living, and enjoy recreational golf." No pressure. If you read my on course posts, just imagine what it would be like if I was claiming to become a pro?, not fun.

[WedgeHead]

For those that think being a pro golfer is all fun and games, you are severely mistaken. It's a job, and you spend countless hours practicing, traveling, stress, time away from family, etc...... I want to enjoy the game for what it's worth. Sure, I want to do the best I can, but I don't want the pressure of doing it for a living.

[Zeph]

For a short period of time, maybe, but I don't want to travel that much in my job. I value my free time higher than money, and I don't want fame.

[MJBett]

50/50 interesting.

I honestly don't know.

Yes because I love golf. No because I don't want to hate golf. (If that makes sense)