Semi- Pro Femal Golfer

Question
My father has recently realized that I have a natural knack for golfing.  Being that I am 23 years and never really played the game more then 2 or 3 times a year, he was amazed to see that I could drive the ball consistently 200 yards and received a score of 52 on 9 holes.  He advised me that I should start taking lessons and nurture my natural ability thinking that I might be able to go semi-pro one day.  My question is, do you think that I might even have a chance to turn semi-pro given the fact that I am 23 years old?  I can afford lessons, and I know that I have the competitive drive and determination to put in the time; but is it realistic?

Thanks for your advice,
Crystal

Answer
Dear Crystal,

Thanks for your question.

When you say "semi-pro", I'm going to assume you mean pro.  If you mean it in a different way, you'll have to let me know.  In golf one is either an amateur or a professional.  There is no in between.  That comes from the Rules of Golf as described by the United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland.

So...can a 23 year old female with a talent for the game but not much background playing it make a living as a professional golfer.  Yes.  

Realize that there are a number of ways to parlay your talent and interest in the game into a livelihood.  Professional golf could mean being a teaching pro, a head professional at a golf club/course or being associated with one of the golf equipment companies.  It could mean working for a golf association organizing tournaments.  There are many job classifications that come under the general heading of golf professional.

Playing the game for a living; in other words, becoming a tour player takes tremendous talent and dedication.  There are thousands of young women with that dream and most of them started working on their dream many years ago.  If playing the game for a living is the only way you think you could be happy as a golf professional you have a lot of catching up to do.

Having said that...I would never say "never".  If you feel strongly about it...go for it.  And good luck!

Best regards,

Paul Dolman