reality check. odds on making the Nationwide Tour - Page 3

ZBTHorton · #21 08-19-2006, 02:09 AM

I don't think enough people are giving you near enough of a chance.

I'm a 8 handicap during months I don't play. Usually play scratch golf when I'm able to dedicate myself to playing for more than a couple of months at a time.

If you have a good swing, good mind for the game, and most importantly, GOOD short game. Anything is possible.

I played for one of the best high school teams in the nation throughout high school. 9 of our players played in college(including me). Hunter Mahan(US Amateur Runner Up, US Junior Amateur Champ, #1 ranked player at both levels, current pro) was one of the guys on my golf team, along with several other guys who have played on some of the smaller tours.

I was about a 6 handicap at the time I used to play with them, and felt that if I had the willingness to work on my short game I could get very close to their ability if I wanted to. The Tee -> Green difference between them and me was almost non-existant. They just made more putts than me, got up and down a little more than me, and didn't make huge mental mistakes during their round. All of those things are things that can be worked on, fine tuned, and improved big time if you have the patience to do it.

If you took 2 years out to practice, I'd put your chances at 1/250. Maybe even a little better.

dogdrool · #22 08-19-2006, 02:27 AM

Man, I hope you can make it. But when I read, "I'm an 8 handicap now" it seems like you are a mega-longshot.

I'd love to be a pro golfer though. Wow.

gol4pro · #23 08-19-2006, 02:30 AM

Without a lot more info, the answer is impossible to know. Probably very low however.

jaydub · #24 08-19-2006, 02:30 AM

ZB,

So, you never did actually apply yourself and thus were never able to compete with all these golfers you mention, right? But you could have, provided you were born with competitiveness and a will to win (or at least try)?

Additionally, you always managed to crap all over yourself when it mattered while they rose to the challenge?

Just want to clarify your post.

J

ZBTHorton · #25 08-19-2006, 02:58 AM

[ QUOTE ]
ZB,

So, you never did actually apply yourself and thus were never able to compete with all these golfers you mention, right? But you could have, provided you were born with competitiveness and a will to win (or at least try)?

Additionally, you always managed to crap all over yourself when it mattered while they rose to the challenge?

Just want to clarify your post.

J

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure where the "crap all over yourself" thing came from. But that's not really true. I've never had big issues with dealing with pressure.

I was in high school and college. I wanted to have a good social life, and never really liked practicing my short game that much(after all, it is horribly boring). I never aspired to be a pro golfer, and also probably had less lessons than all of the guys who were better than me.

My post was simply to say that if someone had the bare essential athletic ability to have a good golf swing, and REALLY dedicated himself to playing golf I think he would have a decent chance of getting on the Nationwide Tour. Not awesome chance. But it's alot better than 10,000:1 or whatever some people were giving him credit for.

FWIW. You do make a good point. I think the ability to perform under pressure would probably be one of the most important variables in whether he would be successful in this endevour, and obviously that's not always something you can just work on.

ZBTHorton · #26 08-19-2006, 03:01 AM

Ah. I see what your referring to now. When I said "make huge mental mistakes" I was more talking about trying to hit ridiculous golf shots or taking too many chances. Not the inability to deal with pressure. Sorry I was unclear.

MCS · #27 08-19-2006, 03:29 AM

My guess is 2000.

brick · #28 08-19-2006, 05:44 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The biggest thing you have going against you...

You most likely do not have the oppurtunity to play championship calibure golf courses. Playing to a 8 handicap on your local 6500 track with easy pins, flat greens, and no rough probably means that you cant break 90 on the the courses on tour. I am not saying that is you...but a majority of the '8' handicaps I know cant even come close to breaking 80 on silly little golf courses that a professional would shoot 60 on everytime.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is really true. I have started playing some tough courses over the last year but usually play the 6500 tees. I think playing the 7300 tees would destry me for a while.

brick · #29 08-19-2006, 05:46 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I am aiming for the champions tour.

[/ QUOTE ]

I went and watched the Champions Tour today at Snoqualmie Ridge. I really learn how much time they take before each shot around the green. Also they have great course management, almost always missing in the right place.

brick · #30 08-19-2006, 05:52 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I see those now with a lot of my friends - early 30s, no resume to speak of, and finally realizing they must get a "real" job.

The great news for you is you appear to have the ways and means to give it a shot AND a marketable job history. That being the case, I think you'd be a fool to not try.

[/ QUOTE ]

It sure would make for a interesting couple years and I do feel that I could find another real job in the future.

Anybody have advice one where/how I should do this?

Perferably, I need cheap golf, cool weather and inexpensive real estate all in one place.