become a professional golfer

I never really got into the game of golf, I never spent any money on clubs and only used the crappy golf balls my brothers gave me to play with. I would go and play with my brothers time to time and it was always a bad experience. They had so much pride in their golf that I was treated like a 2nd class citizen. I completely gave up the game for that reason! I did not play once in about 5 years my two older brothers have played at min of 3 times a week since. My roomate got a new set of clubs and I tried them out the first nine I played I was putting for birdie on 7 of the 9 holes and then went to beat my two older brothers and even their nemisis Pat who neither of them have beaten more than 3 times their entire lives!! I can see that genius slipping and I really don’t wan’t it too. That experience showed me a glimpse of true greatness I desire to harness that! I would be content if only I beat my two brothers and Pat on a regular basis but I feel I am capable of possibly making money doing this! I have the love and what I would give to be great at something espessially something that those close to me hold in such high esteem. I know that I need to do this on my own and with never having a lesson and beating these three that have made golf their #1 hobbie in life after not playing for 5 yrs. I know I can only improve from here, I accounted my play on the new clubs and was shocked when I found that they were a $200 set of Jack Nicholas clubs from Costco. I can and will do this on my own but if there is any one out there that can help me do it the right way I would be so greatful. I would gladly devote my life to this game. The feeling when you smack a 356 yd drive and see your ball bounce up on the green of a par 4 that is true joy. I can only help my self but please please help

This is something that has been on my mind a lot lately. Don’t know if it’s the illusion of the good life, if it seems really easy or if Happy Gilmore is my true inspiration.

I’ve been pricing clubs, and trying to figure out which style of clothes that could be worn (trying to stay away from plaid), and how to wear the hair so it won’t get in the way.

Love to be at the driving range and am pretty good at Putt-Putt, love the outdoors, love the walking, love to travel, but am greatly concerned about access to washrooms.

Does it seem too superficial? I’m thinking it would be a great way to earn money for my PhD goal.

I turned professional right after high school and have been in the industry ever since. It is important to realize the different opportunities in the industry. You can become a PGA Professional, which manages golf courses. To do this you must pass a PAT (player ability test) which consist of playing 36 holes straight and shoot somewhere around even par. After this you must work under a Class A PGA professional for at least 4 years and take the GPTP program which also is a 4 year program similar to a BA in business with a double major in horticultar. After completing all requirements you can receive your Class A membership which will allow you to be a course head professional. Being a course professional is a lot of work and not nearly as glamorous as it may seem. Long hours all summer long, work holidays, pay is minimal generally less than 50000 a year and in some states with hard winters it may be a seasonal job. I just opened a course locally which was an 18 hole championship facility, for the first year I worked over 100 hours a week and worked 7 days a week. I did not play a full 18 holes on my course all year. Most head pros rarely play as managing the course is there job rather than playing.

I also played on tour for a few years which was even more difficult. In order to play on tour at the highest level you must take and pass the Q School qualifying which is one of the most competitive sports qualifying around. It cost near 5000 to play and after local qualifying you play off with near 500 people on the national level. It required I shoot rounds of 65, 65, 68, 70 for 20 under par for local qualifying. For Q school you need to be in the top 5 for a chance at your tour card which requires you shoot near 15 under to have a shot. If you miss you go home empty handed. To keep your tour card you must finish in the top 125 on tour money list or finish in the top 10 in any major or have more than 1 tour win. If you miss you are sent packing needing to qualify again. Less than one percent of all who try pass. An average tour players travel expense for one year is well over 100,000. Plus caddy fees ect. Professional golf is different than other professional sports in that if you do not make the cut you don’t make money. You never have a guaranteed income much like other athletes that get paid by contract win or lose. Unless you have sponsorship which luckily Nike helped me you must make the cut to have any hope at staying on tour. Sponsor exemptions is the only other way to gain access to tour events with the acception of the us open, pga championship which you can qualify for.

Like I said..I lvoe golf! And I’m pretty good at for someone who’s been playing like 5mths…so i want to become a professional golfer

What better way to live then get paid to play golf every week at some of the worlds greatest courses. One day i will be there among the best.