PGA TOUR

How do you become a PGA professional? One of the first things I discovered on my journey is the difference between a golf professional and a professional golfer. The first focuses on the industry of golf. Teaching, managing, and running the day to day operations of the facitlity. The second, professional golfer, is focused on playing tournaments for a living.

I chose my focus as the second, based on passion. I'm assuming most choose their focus based on the same.

I can't tell you very much about how to become a golf professional as it's not been my pursuit although, I've met some amazing club pros that know how to do their job with excellence and love what they do.

So, how do you become a professional golfer? How do you start playing professionally for money?

Back in the day there was no qualifying. You simply showed up to a tournament, paid your entry fee and played. It hasn't been that long ago that this changed. I believe it was in the 1970's. It is very different today depending on what level of professional tournament you desire to play.

There are many great golfers going after the golden ring...the PGA TOUR of America. Next week I have a two stage qualifier to get into one tournament. The first stage qualifier is 18 holes with approximately 250 people playing for 50 spots (plus ties). Those 50+ will then play another 18 hole qualifier where 4 people will actually get to play in the PGA tournament. Are you seeing the odds? They are slim...not none, but definitely slim.

The place most playing professionals start is on small local or regional tours, that used to be called mini tours, and are now called developmental tours. The entire point of these are to learn the ropes of tournament golf. To experience some of the pressure in tournament play and along the way you can earn a few dollars. There are a variety of these smaller tours scattered throughout the US. Here in NorCal there is one of these tours called the Pepsi Tour. There are some very fine golfers building their game. Infact, if you happen to watch the Big Break on the Golf Channel, one of their top money earners is a contestant on the show.

Most "mini tours" are not PGA sanctioned. But they do help get you started. Next blog we'll talk about other avenues to becoming a PGA professional.

In the meantime, swing hard and look up!
Byron