I have been asked to train to go pro?

Most people think a pro is the guys on television. There are many more pros who work on the local level at the shops, giving lessons, etc. If you are thinking of playing professionally you can think of mini tours. The money is lower the level is still high. It is very difficult to make a living playing golf. It's not hard to make a living at golf. You can get a PGA card if you can break 75 and are willing to do all the book work. IF your heart is in the game and want to help people on the local level then being a pro might be for you. Otherwise, enjoy the game and life. Good luck.

I dont want to be negative nancy, but you have no chance-zero chance of playing professionally. If you were 14 years old and a 9 handicap, you would already be behind. If you're a 9 handicap, you're 14-15 stokes per round off the pace. The latest I've ever heard of someone starting and making the tour is 18. Go to the hardest golf course in your area. Go to the back tees, ask the super. to tuck all the pins. Find 10,000 people to walk around with you and watch. If you can easily and regularly shoot 5-6 under, ask the question again. I really am not trying to be rude. I played professionally for several years. The depth of quality golfers out there is mind numbing. Enjoy the sport, work hard at it and you'll be a good player. But no, you're not going on tour-ever.

I've played Golf since I was 16 (now 58)& got a lot of enjoyment out of it,lowest handicap 7.

While it's a great game it's not everyone's vocation. There is only one Tiger Woods(as everyone on Tour will atest to).

I think you need a really competitive nature to become a successfull Pro-if you look at the statistics in regard to NZ players the success rate is not great.Even our best Michael Campbell is struggling at the present time. It is a very pressured level to play at.

Why not just enjoy it & see if you can represent New Zealand at an Amateur level first.

No offense but a +9 is nowhere near enough to go pro. Amateur's these days shoot low all the time. To go pro you must shoot around par or better always. The main factor is passion do you want to travel play in tournaments make money and live the good life. To do this you must sacrifice it all and train every other day and play in many tournaments go for it!

First off...thoughts about going pro should only come around when your consistently under par.

Secondly...turning pro at 31....man, that's really a long shot.

Keep swinging and enjoy the game for what it is. Stay away from thinking about going pro.

If you dont want it do go for it. If you enjoy the game, keep it a game... because once you go pro it won't be a game anymore.

On that note, I am insainely jealous and wish I had this as a problem right now. Good luck

if this isn't what you want to do with your life, then you don't have to go for it. if you just enjoy golfing for the sport, then continue to do that. maybe compete in some tournaments that are in your area, but you dont necessarily have to become pro.

good luck in your decision.

I have never had an eagle , just 1 birdy and have been golfing all my life . if you get a chance , you should take it . Its definately worth it .

If you are not a competitor you will not succeed. There is so much more to winning on tour than just physical ability to hit the ball - everyone out there hits it pure.

I think you may have answered your own question with your last statement......."It is not in my heart to compete".