Ex-pros

[Ethan]

So last week, I played in the medal at Bearwood Lakes. Paired up with two guys whose names I didn't recognise. Turned out both were ex-pros, one a former EuroPro Tour player, now off 1.something, the other an assistant at a prestigious local club who hadn't yet given up his pro status (he wasn't playing in the medal).

Both nice lads and obviously good players, but slightly off-putting to play with a guy who had played alongside future Ryder Cuppers and Tour players (as an amateur and pro) and another guy who was pretty handy.

Anyway, during the round, I asked the former pro what his best round at BL was. His answer made me stop. He told me had scored 59 off the medal tees in a casual game. 13 birdies, no bogeys. It was a good putting round, he said, with obvious understatement. Not a bad ball striking round either, I'll bet.

Funnily enough, he wasn't very long, not forum long for sure, but was very steady and hit some lovely approach irons.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We have a Zimbabwean ex tour pro (Sunshine Tour) who is now off 1. Hits it a country mile but liable to chuck a destructive off line one every now and then. His swing isn't textbook (he's well padded!) but he gets the most from what he has. Always a little intimidation playing with him for the prodigious length alone

 

[Deleted member 15344]

So last week, I played in the medal at Bearwood Lakes. Paired up with two guys whose names I didn't recognise. Turned out both were ex-pros, one a fomer EuroPro Tour player, now off 1.something, the other an assistant at a prestigious local club who hadn't yet given up his pro status (he wasn't playing in the medal).

Both nice lads and obviously good players, but slightly off-putting to play with a guy who had played alongside future Ryder Cuppers and Tour players (as an amateur and pro) and another guy who was pretty handy.

Anyway, during the round, I asked the former pro what his best round at BL was. His answer made me stop. He told me had scored 59 off the medal tees in a casual game. 13 birdies, no bogeys. It was a good putting round, he said, with obvious understatement. Not a bad ball striking round either, I'll bet.

Funnily enough, he wasn't very long, not forum long for sure, but was very steady and hit some lovely approach irons.

That sums up the Pro we play with regulary - hits the ball the same distance as myself but his approach play was superb

One of the winter series Pro Am's i would have picked up money with my gross score

Playing in Pro Am's and with Pros is a superb learning expirence - if you get the right one they can be a gold mine of tips - i know the guys i have played with have helped my game

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We have an ex club pro from Laleham GC who has joined. He isn't long but has the most accurate mid-short irons I've seen. Anything from say 180 yards always laser straight and dancing around the flags and on the rare occasion he misses the short game is pretty good. Truth be told, he's quite happy these days knocking it round for a few quid with his mates and is in the process of getting amateur status back, but he could still make a few quid on the local Pro-Am circuit/order of merit

 

[upsidedown]

Played our Summer pairs last night against ex Euro tour pro who is now scratch and 4 handicapper and we beat them 1 up

Known the ex pro for over 10 years and he normally hits it a country mile but as he'd moved 200 rolls of turf 3 times yesterday he was holding back with driver so I was bombing it past him , well 5 yards most times His approach game and putting was joy to behold.

Good tight game with 10 birdies in all and my mate off 17 came up with crucial par with a shot on 16 to go one up then I made two good 5 footers for halves to win the match.

In the distance past I went out with a Lady professional ( European Tour ) whilst off 12 and when playing together we'd both play off the yellows and I'd get six shots, was longer than her off the tee but her short game was awesome .

 

[chrisd]

We had a current European Tour player join in our swindle a couple of weeks ago. He was quite happy to take the £9 for his share in the team comp!

 

[SocketRocket]

I have a friend who is a PGA Pro and have an occasional game with him. He is not particularly long off the tee but his ball shaping is pleasure to watch. His approach shots to the green are exemplary and he putts and chips in textbook style.

He is no athlete, almost the opposite but when playing with him he somehow brings out the best in my game.

 

[backwoodsman]

Only played with a pro once ( except our own pro - that doesnt count). Was attached to a Surrey club but played on the Europro tour. Unfortunately he had a bad day and played like a chopper. Even sh*nked one sideways into the woods on our 9th. So I didn't learn a lot off him. He came last in the pro am we were playing.

Although he did give me a good tip for getting out of bunkers.

 

[Smiffy]

I have played with a pro (not a touring pro mind you) who four putted one particular green.
So it shows that despite all the hours of practice and the help of training aids, it can happen to anyone

 

[Foxholer]

We have a Zimbabwean ex tour pro (Sunshine Tour) who is now off 1. Hits it a country mile but liable to chuck a destructive off line one every now and then. His swing isn't textbook (he's well padded!) but he gets the most from what he has. Always a little intimidation playing with him for the prodigious length alone

Did Mike Williams (another Zimbo) play there a couple of years ago? Reasonably padded, but not a long hitter. Otherwise it might have been the guy (I could be mixing up my Zimbos) another mate (also an ex Sunshine Tour Pro and a contemporary of Woosnam, Boxall etc) caddied for in a match against Wentworth on The West a while ago. Mate was impressed, but depressed, that he'd driven into the deep bunker on 15. But even more impressed when he hit an 8 iron to 10 feet from it! He has mentioned that to be in with a chance of making it a a touring Pro, you had to be regularly/normally shooting 6-8 under on your own course!

 

[louise_a]

I have played with a couple of pros a few times and they couldn't be more different, One hits it a mile, the other is lots shorter but is very steady with his approach shots.

 

[alexbrownmp]

..and interestingly all these reports of 59's and unbelievable short games and none of them are good enough to make it big on tour.

Tough school the tour, real tough

 

[bobmac]

I have played with a pro (not a touring pro mind you) who four putted one particular green.

He was still good enough to take your money on a course he'd never seen before while giving you full handicap

So it shows that despite all the hours of practice and the help of training aids, it can happen to anyone

Practice?
You practice more than I do :rofl:

 

[chrisd]

..and interestingly all these reports of 59's and unbelievable short games and none of them are good enough to make it big on tour.

Tough school the tour, real tough

Too right!

Our local guy who got his tour card this year was, I was told this week, playing in a group with Henrik Stenson all three were hitting similar length tee shots, albeit Henrik with his 3 wood, our guy was pretty chuffed to be up there with the best off the tee. They eventually arrived at a tee with water down one side. The two players hit down to a good position but because the better landing area was out of reach for them they were happy that they'd done well. Henrik stands on the tee 3 wood in hand, leans on it just bit more and hits and hits to a perfect position some 40 yards ahead- even if they make the tour there is a clear gap from top to bottom

 

[gazr99]

I've played with a current Challenge Tour player and a club pro. It's their consistency that always gets me

 

[Smiffy]

I've played with a current Challenge Tour player and a club pro. It's their consistency that always gets me

Not a pro, but I had a very enjoyable round with a young lady by the name of Louise Sims last week at Hayling Island.
She plays for Dorset County Ladies and has a handicap of 1.
She played with us off the white tees, and absolutely creamed the ball. Up with us (if not further than us) on most holes, and on the par 3's she was matching us club for club.
First time she had ever clapped eyes on the course and she had 17 pars and 1 bogey. I don't think she missed a fairway and hit all greens in regulation. Sadly, no birdies but she two putted everything, and quite a few shaved the hole so she could have scored a lot better.
I would go as far as to say she was most probably the best golfer I have ever played with.
And she was quite pretty too

 

[Foxholer]

Too right!

Our local guy who got his tour card this year was, I was told this week, playing in a group with Henrik Stenson all three were hitting similar length tee shots, albeit Henrik with his 3 wood, our guy was pretty chuffed to be up there with the best off the tee. They eventually arrived at a tee with water down one side. The two players hit down to a good position but because the better landing area was out of reach for them they were happy that they'd done well. Henrik stands on the tee 3 wood in hand, leans on it just bit more and hits and hits to a perfect position some 40 yards ahead- even if they make the tour there is a clear gap from top to bottom

Played once with in a group with 'Mr Cheerful' Andrew Oldcorn - when he was recovering from his ME. I was a bit surprised to be within 10 yards of him on most holes but was 60+ yards behind him when he leaned int a few! He shot a boring 2-under.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Did Mike Williams (another Zimbo) play there a couple of years ago? Reasonably padded, but not a long hitter. Otherwise it might have been the guy (I could be mixing up my Zimbos) another mate (also an ex Sunshine Tour Pro and a contemporary of Woosnam, Boxall etc) caddied for in a match against Wentworth on The West a while ago. Mate was impressed, but depressed, that he'd driven into the deep bunker on 15. But even more impressed when he hit an 8 iron to 10 feet from it! He has mentioned that to be in with a chance of making it a a touring Pro, you had to be regularly/normally shooting 6-8 under on your own course!

Don't know the name but possibly. The guy we have is called Billy Koen.

 

[srixon 1]

Played with Andrew Sherborne in a pro am a few years ago. Not long off the tee but he made a 5 under look easy. He 3 putted twice too. He wasn't too worried afterwards as he won the tournament.

 

[Hobbit]

Played with and against a number of club pro's down the years. Some are on a par with decent scratch guys, whilst others are on another level. Occasionally play with on who plays Challenge Tour events, who hits 4-5 under pretty much every time and is a level above a good club pro. More recently I had a game with a European Tour pro... WOW!

He was knocking it within 10ft on pretty much every hole. I asked him what a group of tour pro's would do to my course, par 72, on an average day. He thought that 64 would be over par for them. That puts them at least 14 shots better than me over 18 holes.

In the context of how a couple of reinstated amateurs we have would do against them. Over a 4 round comp the pro's would finish about 16 to 20 shots ahead of guys I think are great golfers.