How to Become a Pro Golfer
Unlike other professional sports, turning pro in golf doesn't involve a nationally televised draft and pundits wondering where a duffer may end up on the Tour. No, turning professional is simply declaring that you are no longer an amateur and want to be a pro. But just like running for president of the United States and becoming president are two different things, it is the same thing as turning pro as a golfer. Read on to learn how to become a pro golfer.
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Things You'll Need
- Some financial backing
- Sponsor exemptions
- Golf clubs, balls and other equipment
Instructions
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Start early and practice long. That may sound simplistic, but most of the current top pros started playing when they were barely out of diapers and worked their way up the amateur ranks via high school and college teams.
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Enter amateur tournaments. This may sound backward, but it isn't. Playing well in major amateur tournaments such as the Southern Open will get a player noticed. That leads to pro tour sponsors offering you exemptions to play PGA tournaments.
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Once you start qualifying for PGA or Nationwide Tour events, start the Q-school process. This is a four-step stage that is the fastest route to getting a Tour card each year. However, it is very tough and few golfers get to the Tour that way.
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The next route is to play heavily on the smaller circuits such as the Hooters or Nationwide tournaments. Typically, the top money winners on those tours automatically get PGA Tour cards for the following season.
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Look for pro tournaments where they allow people to play into the field. Typically, that happens on Mondays and Tuesday before an event. It is pretty much an open invite to come out and try and make the field that week. This is somewhat of a back door entry, but can work.
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Win a pro tournament. Simply stated--that will get you onto the PGA Tour and qualify you for numerous other events.
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Tips & Warnings
It takes on average five to 10 years after turning pro to earn a permanent PGA Tour card.
Be prepared to spend a lot of hours driving between events looking for that big break.
The success of Tiger Woods means more players than ever are trying to make the PGA Tour. Keep that in mind when starting down this path.
