Q School

Question
Hey Eddie,

I'm 31/ asian male, who wants to take a shot at Q School next year. Though I've only been playing golf for the last 6 months or so, my hanicap is close to 10 and going lower every week. I drive 240-260 yards consistently and have above average short game.

So the question is, If I get my handicap down to 1 or less and play in some local tournaments/ mini tours (+ $5000 in my pocket), would I be eligible to play next year? What other conditions do I need to meet? Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Pramo:

Sorry to burst your bubble right now, but here is what I know.  You'll need to turn professional and start playing in tournaments.  You'll need to be able to shoot 65-70 almost all the time around your region and win several tournaments on the mini tours.  Handicaps mean nothing in professional golf.  There are none.  Bottom line:  can you shoot the numbers it takes to cash a check?

Entry fee alone for the Tour School is $5-6K.  Then you have to travel to the first stage site and qualify there to advance (they take 20% of the field to move on to the next stage).  Then, if you make it there, then you'll go to the next stage and do the same thing.  And if you make it there, then you will advance to the final Tour School that everyone hears about.  

At the finals, all the Tour players who lost their card and all the qualifiers will now compete for 30 Tour Cards.  If you miss in the first stage, it will cost you about $7-8K for fees and expenses.  Then you can try again the next year.  

You'll need to hit the ball 300 yards to have any chance of competing on any of the Tours in the world and you'll need a great short game, not an above average one.  You have only been playing golf for 6 months!  Playing golf competitively is amazing.  Being able to compete and win money to support yourself is something totally different.  

There are thousands and thousands of guys who have been training to play golf since they were 6 years old.  They have played for at least 10 years and have won numerous tournaments.  And these are the ones who can't make it on the Tour....their not good enough.  

But, I never question what is in a man's heart.  Here is my advice to you.  You'll need at least $80K per year in expenses to begin to learn how to play in tournaments and compete against other golfers like you who have a dream.  You'll need 5-8 years of getting your head beat in to learn how to win and compete at a high level.  If you are still standing after that, you should then fill out a Tour application and give it a go.  

Good luck Pramo, I hope you make it.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member