pro golf

Question
hi Paul, I am interested in a competing in golf, I don't even have a registered handicap but i have shot under par many times just showing up to a course and playing it one time with friends or people i just got paired with I've been told many times to quit construction and play golf i want to pursue this now i  don't know i may be to old to do this now I'm 39 but i work out and always have i live in venice florida golf is not cheap hear so i golf when i can and hit the driving range what should i do to get into some tournaments have you ever  heard of some one breaking golf balls at the driving range after watching me hit my driver at the range the ranger shows me a bucket of cracked balls a said your the one whose breaking all my golf balls i know that no where near makes you a pro but i have the game to back it up what do i do with it

Answer
Dear Patrick,

You sound quite unique.  I can't tell you what you should do but I'll give you an opinion based on what you've told me about your golf history and desire to play golf for a living.

First, without doing anything more than you're doing now you can simply enter all the events you can get in.  That means city amateur championships, state amateur championships and every other USGA organized amateur tournament you can find.  It will require some financial resources since you'll have to travel to some of the events.  Once you see how you stack up against the best amateur competition you can find and you gain some additional tournament experience you'll have a better idea where you stand and what you should do next.

Keep in mind that there are literally thousands of young guys at colleges or on mini tours or wanna bes like yourself that have good golf games.  The competition to play for a living and be successful at it is fierce.

Another possibility is to get hooked up with one of the top teachers.  Since you are in south Florida you have the advantage of living close to where many of the top teachers spend their winter months.  You've got Leadbetter, Rick Smith, Dr. Jim Suttie, Gary Bender and gobs more in the Orlando to Naples area.  They are expensive but they are great at evaluating talent.  Plus, they can point you in the right direction on what you need to do with your game to play better and get to the next level.

If I were you, I would try to do both.

Best of luck,

Paul Dolman
PGA Golf Professional