How to become a pro.

Question
What do you have to do to become a pro golfer? Does it involve going to college, playing there, and then becoming an amateur golfer? Then after you have won some tournaments and are doing quite well, then you could turn pro? Or is there some kind of guideline that you have to complete before turning pro. I am guessing that I have the basic idea to the whole thing, but could you please tell me exactly what you have to do to become a pro golfer.

Thank You

Answer
Dear Garrett, thanks for the question.  Becoming a PGA Tour Golfer doesn't necessarily require going to college or winning past tournaments.  What you must do however is Qualify.  Each year there is what is called Q-School which is short for Qualifying School.  It is held in the fall and covers 6 crueling rounds of tournament style golf wherein only a small number of players make it to the tour. The entry fee is approximately $3000.  Anyone can go for it. The rest of the tour is made up of players who remained in the top 130 on the money list the previous year.  In other words if you are on Tour currently, then you must stay in the top 130 in earnings to keep your membership on tour.  If you fall below that number, then you must attend Q-school again and play well enough to earn back your membership, while competing against many other doing the same, and all the newcomers. It is extremely difficult.  The only other way to qualify for the tour, without going to Q-school, is through special exemptions.  Let me give you an example.  Each tournament has a committee that set aside a few special exemptions for players they would like to attend their tournament.  If a player gets enough of these exemptions and plays well enough to get into the top 130, then next year they have membership without going to Q-school.  Case in point:  Tiger Woods.  Many tournaments invited him to play in their event, once he declared himself a professional.(which, by the way, anyone can declare themselves a Pro)  Tiger took advantage of these invitations and play great, earning himself a spot for next year.  This obviously is a difficult road and is only offered to the players with great potential.

Now, one last avenue to becoming a professional PGA golfer is known as the Club Pro.  Each course around the country has a resident Pro.  Gaining membership to this particular section of the PGA is done through an apprentice program.  One must work full-time at a golf course/range and work under an established Pro.  Over time, and after fulfilling certain requirements, a player is recognized as a Pro as well.  For more information on this give the PGA a call at (904)285-3700.  As always, good luck and...

LTG,
skipper