The road from scratch to pro...

[miniTIGER95]

I was just wondering, if you didn't go through Q-school how do you become a pro?, obviously you need a handicap of below 4 but what is the process? How do you enter elite amatuer tournaments, do you need to win one to become pro? How does a pro then become a tour pro ? cheers...

 

[miniTIGER95]

I was just wondering, if you didn't go through Q-school how do you become a pro?, obviously you need a handicap of below 4 but what is the process? How do you enter elite amatuer tournaments, do you need to win one to become pro? How does a pro then become a tour pro ? cheers...

...

 

[DappaDonDave]

Google is your friend

http://www.pga.info/AboutThePGAPro/33811381.htm

 

[JustOne]

Not sure, maybe by not quoting yourself and/or expecting a reply within 11 minutes????

...

 

[BeachGolfer]

How does a pro then become a tour pro ? cheers...

Easier for an 18 handicapper to get to pro than a pro to make any tour!

 

[AllyLodge]

Not sure, maybe by not quoting yourself and/or expecting a reply within 11 minutes????

Curiosity killed the cat !

 

[Mattyboy]

Effectively you can turn pro off of any handicap. Although to get your PGA qualifications you need to demonstrate a playing abilty (which I think is 4 hcp). Elite amateur events have a handicap limit but these are often over subscribed so higher handicaps (within that stipulated at entry) wont get a slot (called ballotted out).
I am not sure about how the European tour works but there are three ways to get on the US PGA tour.
1) Tour School
2) Nationwide tour top 25 of the order of merit the preceding year
3) Earning enough money in the prodecing year through invties or Monday qualifying for comps
There is talk of 1 & 2 changing in future.

Depending on the toughness of your course, I would suggest that you would want to get to +5 hcp to have a realistic chance of making it on one of the main tours.

Good luck.:thup:

 

[miniTIGER95]

Not sure, maybe by not quoting yourself and/or expecting a reply within 11 minutes????

Nope don't think that changes much...

 

[miniTIGER95]

Nope don't think that changes much...

...:ears:

 

[Mattyboy]

Not sure, maybe by not quoting yourself and/or expecting a reply within 11 minutes????

I assume that they just hit the wrong button in their enthusiasm. Sometimes if a positive answer cannot be provided it might be better not to answer.........

 

[miniTIGER95]

I assume that they just hit the wrong button in their enthusiasm. Sometimes if a positive answer cannot be provided it might be better not to answer.........

Thanks for that :thup:

 

[Mattyboy]

...:ears:

I withdraw my previous comment!

 

[miniTIGER95]

Google is your friend

http://www.pga.info/AboutThePGAPro/33811381.htm

Cheers that helped a lot, but I still don't understand how you get onto the europro tour in the first place?, do you have to be pro to get onto that tour? and how does the jump from the europro tour to european tour occur? Anyone know? cheers

 

[Mattyboy]

Europro have a qualification school. Or enter a comp and see how you go. You can play in them as amatuers (HCP limit something like 2). Those on top of the order of merit get promotion to the next level. google Europro tour for full info.

 

[DappaDonDave]

Cheers that helped a lot, but I still don't understand how you get onto the europro tour in the first place?, do you have to be pro to get onto that tour? and how does the jump from the europro tour to european tour occur? Anyone know? cheers

You've got to sleep with tiger woods.

 

[JustOne]

I would suggest that you would want to get to +5 hcp to have a realistic chance of making it on one of the main tours.

I reckon +3 would do it if you can play to that under pressure. You could be +6 and not make it if you fold under pressure.

 

[garyinderry]

playing to a plus handicap in our weather is some going! if your playing off plus then take yourself to sunny america and go whoop some ass in the sunshine! if you play off plus and you play links golf in scotland you must be a golf genius!

 

[JustOne]

playing to a plus handicap in our weather is some going! if your playing off plus then take yourself to sunny america and go whoop some ass in the sunshine! if you play off plus and you play links golf in scotland you must be a golf genius!

Horses for courses, if you can't hit a high ball you probably won't make it in the USA... and vice versa for those bland Scottish courses

 

[garyinderry]

i know which ones i would rather play due to my poor ability!

 

[miniTIGER95]

I've been doing a bit of research for the past hour or so and im still kinda confused, I think by this time next year I will be off of around 4. So what happens then, it says about completing a course but you have to be an assistant pro, how does this come about? surely its not as simple as going to clubs and asking if they need someone?( although i would not hesitate to do this) As for the europro tour i researched that and could not find out a lot. How quick can you turn pro after getting a handicap of 3 or 4. How would you get into elite amateur tournaments? At the moment should i just be focusing on practicing all the time and getting down to 3 or 4, then worry about what im going to do? Im 16 and want to be on a course to becoming when i am 18. Im just confused as to what would be the best path to take, at the moment since playing again i have been improving rapidly, 2 months ago i was off 22, this week i shot a 82 and an 83 consecutively, and i dont think they were 'fluke' rounds, what would be the best path for me if i just want a career in golf?