Here is my situation - I am an avid golfer and have played for the last 15 years(since I was 9). I played all 4 years in college on scholarship and have improved pretty much every year I played since high school. I have been between a +1 and +3 handicap the last 2 years with a career low score of 65 in a tournament. I hit the ball a ton (300+ yards with the driver) and can putt the lights out when I'm on, even though the people I play with say my iron game is my best aspect of my skill. I have 20k saved up to move away and play on a mini-tour and q-school to give myself a chance to make it somewhere. I have the full support of my mother and my family, along with a college degree and good job contacts, so going busto and moving home isn't a scary idea for me. I just want to see where I stand and try to give myself a shot at my dream. Since I was 14, I could never imagine myself doing anything but playing professional golf.

Many people that I talk to say this is a pure pipe dream and that I am just donating 20k to real players. I have the drive to try to make it, but it is expensive to play pro golf on your own dime. Chances are if I don't make it in 2 years, I will either need to find a sponsor or a new job. How far will 20k take me? Is this enough to start out with or no?

My question is what would be the best place to start this journey and what would I need to work on most to make this work? What area of the US would give me the best chance to make it on the money I have? I am also open to a small part time job when I'm not playing to keep my bankroll going. I know this is a pipe dream for most, but I am confident in my skills and know that I want to try this. So, I guess I'm just looking for general thoughts and ideas as to how I get this started. Let the flaming begin!

PS - Thanks for the encouraging words in advance

pm smokingzags

go big or go home you know?
actually bet your home too...
go big or goto the street you know?

gl man, never discount practice, its the only thing that can help

 

Originally Posted by tamayo85

i would fold, keith... (i know, terrible)

seriously tho, if you have money saved, support, and your education and contacts etc etc, then go for it, you wouldnt want to look back and say "what if"? this doesnt sound like your asking us a question either, more like a well disguised "hey im good at golf" brag

I know it seems like this :( just noticed how self-absorbed my post seems.....but I'm more looking for ideas such as places to play, state to live in, just go straight to q-school or try smaller tours first....just general advice since I've lived in the same city my whole life and am embarking on this journey pretty much w no experience of being on the road.....just figured poker traveling and golf traveling kind of mirror each other, so poker players could have good insight to this as well.

 

Originally Posted by big4390

gl man, never discount practice, its the only thing that can help

ty sir - that's the crazy part is I've never been one to practice on the range much, I just enjoy playing. I know for me to make it, I will need to practice and focus harder than I ever have before.

I did this 7 years ago I won a few tournys in the north so I went south played hooters tour tarheel etc. I figure out real quick that there are sooo many good players out there unless you are shooting 70 and below almost every round you got no chance. The other prob is alot of these tour are real top heavy 1,2,3, get good money but with travel food lodging etc if you dont come top 10 you break even or lose money. hooters tour each event { if you dont join} is like 1,200-or $1,300 an event.

is +1 handicapped any good for a pro? doesnt it take like atleast -10 to win most golf tournies?

 

Originally Posted by poisoneye1986

is +1 handicapped any good for a pro? doesnt it take like atleast -10 to win most golf tournies?

My buddy was almost a plus4 scoring ava 3 years ago on a tour he won a few events but cant make it on the PGA hes gotover 20 wins in 6 years on this one tour farest he made it in q school was 3 stage once he tried 8 times at 5k a pop.

 

Originally Posted by kwoods

I did this 7 years ago I won a few tournys in the north so I went south played hooters tour tarheel etc. I figure out real quick that there are sooo many good players out there unless you are shooting 70 and below almost every round you got no chance. The other prob is alot of these tour are real top heavy 1,2,3, get good money but with travel food lodging etc if you dont come top 10 you break even or lose money. hooters tour each event { if you dont join} is like 1,200-or $1,300 an event.

Yeaaaa, that's why I didn't want to do Hooters Tour during the summer - the traveling and tournament costs are wayyyy more than if I started in a localized tour(Hooters Winter Tour in Orlando or Myrtle Beach or Moonlight golf tour in Orlando)....I'd end up paying around 8k-10k on a full season on those tours. Gateway tour is more expensive, but traveling isn't tough or far away from centralized point.

I'm going to be trying the same thing next year. Right now, I have no idea where I'm going to start because it can change with nice hot streak.

best of luck, i hear it ain't easy out there.

Just practice like crazy, im on the driving range 2-3 hours a day, still not good enough...

Pepsi tour on the west coast too, but money isnt that great and lot of good golfers out there

Go with what you love to do. Experiences are what life is about.

 

Originally Posted by kidrockin

Go with what you love to do. Experiences are what life is about.

This is the kind of feeback I was looking for :) couldn't say it any better myself....I'm not worried about failing, I just have the support and means to try it, so I am.

if ur ever gonna find out if ur cut for the pro tour the time is now to take the gamble. the longer you wait the harder it will be to accomplish this goal. you will either have a job that is too valuable to walk away from, a wife and kid, a house mortgage that you cant afford. seems like you got the time, resources, and backup plan all in place just do it.