hypothetical golf career

[sandycove]

Head pro is not realistic nor do his current scores indicate sufficient natural talent to ultimately pass the playing test (although the test itself is not terribly difficult, but pressure-packed).

If your man had what it takes to be a head anything, he would more likely be moving in that direction already in a field where he possessed a more natural vocation.

One of my golf mates actually did attempt this in his mid 40's and he did get his card, after a few years hard work. (He was a mid-single-digit handicapper on average, but had the ability to occasionally go low.) He knocked around as little better than a driving range assistant for some time and eventually gave it up. He couldn't get even a sniff from a small-town, country track -- no pedigree, insufficient contacts and he didn't have "the look." Too bad -- he was quite knowledgeable, a very hard worker, a talented teacher and genuinely loved the game.

[JTrout]

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Lets say there's a guy in his early 20s. He averages 100-110. He can support himself financially for a few years. His goal is to become a head pro at a course.

Is this realistic? Also what's his best strategy for succeeding.

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I'd tell him he needs a better goal.

[JTrout]

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just for fun, I think I know the answer

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Lets say there's a guy in his mid 20s. He averages 330+ off the tee and is a +1 with a couple months of practice. He can support himself financially for a long time. His goal is to win one PGA event with a 7-figure payday.

Is this even remotely possible? Also what's his best strategy for succeeding.

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I'd say about 1 in a thousand.
Best strategy-
1 great swing instructor.
1 great putting instructor.
Hit more balls than Vijay, and be the cockiest guy with a putter that you can possibly be.

[ClubChamp04]

[ QUOTE ]
Lets say there's a guy in his early 20s. He averages 100-110. He can support himself financially for a few years. His goal is to become a head pro at a course.

Is this realistic? Also what's his best strategy for succeeding.

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How long has this guy been playing for? Best strategy imo would be to find a good pro to work with, then hit balls until your hands bleed. Get on the putting green for a couple hours a day and work on all areas of your shortgame.

I really believe that practice can only take you so far though, some people just don't have the ability. All of us will hit a golf platuea, whether it's 80 or 72 and it becomes almost impossible to drop any more shots consistently. So I guess the only way to know if you're good enough is to give it your all and see where that leads.

[Butcho22]

^^pretty much^^

[Ghost_man]

I would have to say it depends on the guy. Some people are just more golf coordinated than others. If the guy is a decent athlete and has some kind of natural golf ability then I say yeah not to unreasonable. Really to pass the PAT all you have to do is break 80 twice from the whites. I say all in all it would take two to three years of pretty consistent practice and some sort of competition for a guy with reasonable golf talent and access to some great teaching to pass his pat. As far as working as a head pro, you really have to put in your dues as an assistant pro and be willing to move around a bit to go where your next job oppurtunity is. Also if you like weekends and holidays off , then a head pro job is not for you.

[dvh]

From personal experience: at 18 I would shoot about 100, worked at a golf course for 4 years through college, played 90 rounds per summer, practiced 10-20 hours a week for the 4 years. Lived with the club's Assistant Pro, received regular help from 3 quality golf professionals on staff (average about 1 lesson a week). After 4 years of the golf regime, working 40 hours a week I was serviceable as a club assistant professional.

This was followed by 5 years as an assistant completing the bookwork making very little money, more practice, making contacts, etc. Took my first head professional job and after a few years and many hours I now make more than the people in my original major in college and I love my job.

"A man who loves his job never has to go to work"

It can be done but everything has a price