
The obvious reason is that they simply aren't good enough to compete at pro tour level. Being a good amateur in most cases translates to a bottom to mid-level tour player. Shooting around par for 4 rounds in amateur tournaments won’t make you a dime in a 4 round pro tournament most of the time.
Full Answer
When should you turn pro in golf?
Turning pro when you’re playing well is a big thing rather than doing it when you’re flat-lining. Some players decide to stay amateur for another year and then stop improving. You need to have the skills to earn money. I’ll ask them if they have a €1 million golf game, because that’s what you’ll need.
Will the 2022 Players Championship be delayed by weather?
The wait is finally over. Before noon ET the 2022 Players Championship, the PGA Tour’s flagship event, had already been delayed twice by weather.
Is the gap between professional golf and amateur golf closing?
I think the gap between professional and amateur golf at the top end is closing because the top amateurs get opportunities through their national bodies in trying to become more successful.
Do we cut players loose when they turn pro?
So there are a lot of players who are being developed and we then get to the stage when they turn pro and we sort of cut them loose. Other nations have a system for the first year or two where they continue to support their players in the professional game. I’d love to be able to do that.

How late is too late to become a pro golfer?
The good news from the research is that players can still turn professional even in their early 30s. It was also found that the best years for a golf professional are between 30 and 35, although plenty of tour players have shown they can still win tournaments in their 40s.
Did any pro golfers start late?
Y.E. Yang. The man most known for taking down Tiger Woods at the 2009 PGA Championship didn't start playing golf until he was 19 while working at a driving range in South Korea.
How long does it take to turn pro in golf?
10 years of unfocused effort won't get you closer to your goal. Assuming reasonable levels of talent and physical longevity, in 10 years or less with deliberate focused effort you could be a professional golfer. Learn more about the PGA Performance Program. Tournament play, specialised coaching and training.
How good do you need to be to become a pro golfer?
It has been reported that athletes need 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill, but practice quality also counts in becoming a professional golfer. So, playing the most high-quality rounds or training sessions can help you become a better player.
What age can you turn pro in golf?
The PGA Tour's minimum age limit is 18, a rule that was established after Ty Tryon and Kevin Na turned pro as 17-year-olds in 2001. As a result, Kim, who was 17 years and five months at the time, had to defer starting his PGA Tour career until he turned 18 the following summer.
Who is the oldest golfer to turn pro?
Allen DoyleThe Oldest Rookies Ever on the PGA Tour: Two 47-Year-Olds Allen Doyle: Was 47 years, 5 months, 6 days old when he started his rookie year in 1996. Jim Rutledge: Was 47 years, 4 months, 6 days old when he started his rookie season in 2007.
Is it easy to go pro in golf?
Professional golf is one of the toughest careers you could ever consider pursuing. The mind-set for professional golf is relatively easy to understand - achieve a low golf score average in tournaments, but the application of this is extremely difficult to achieve.
Who is the youngest pro golfer?
Don Dunkelberger is the youngest pro golfer of all time. He made his professional golf debut when he was just 11 years, 11 months, and 10 days old!
How many hours do pro golfers practice?
In a day, the average tour pro spends about three to four hours concentrating on the full swing and an equal amount of time on the short-game. But tour pros are not just beating balls or blindly rolling putts.
What handicap do you need to be a pro golfer?
+4 to +6The majority of top golf professionals played to handicaps of +4 to +6 before entering the professional ranks. Some current pros still hold active handicaps, and these serve to highlight how much better than “scratch” they really are.
How do I go from amateur to pro in golf?
Here is the step-by-step process to go from amateur golfer to PGA Tour player.Step 1: Get Really Good. ... Step 2: Compete in Amateur Events. ... Step 3: Give Up Your Amateur Status and Go Pro. ... Step 4: Go to Q-School. ... Step 5: Compete on the Korn Ferry Tour. ... Step 6: Become a PGA Tour Player. ... Step 7: Stay on the PGA Tour.
How much does it cost to be a pro golfer?
A PGA Tour player who's exempt from qualifying doesn't have to pay entry fees for tour events. He does pay a $100 initiation fee, then $100 in annual dues. The only expense he must pay to play in a tournament is a mandatory $50 locker room fee.
bPol
Which, if any, pros picked up golf later in life and were able to make it on tour? How successful were they? Seems like everyone nowadays has been playing since they could walk, but I'm curious if there are any that started later in life and were able to get to that level.
gvogel
The classic pro who was successful after picking up golf at 21 is Larry Nelson. He started to play when he was in the Army, after a tour of Vietnam. If two PGA Championships and a US Open is successful, Larry Nelson is your guy.
RBImGuy
Which, if any, pros picked up golf later in life and were able to make it on tour? How successful were they? Seems like everyone nowadays has been playing since they could walk, but I'm curious if there are any that started later in life and were able to get to that level.
Matt J
Thedanplan wasn't exactly a scientific experiment. We didn't figure out if it worked, as he didn't complete it.
PowderedToastMan
Hogan. He played a long time but didn't become dominant until his 30s when he had some breakthroughs that stopped him from pull hooking the hell out of the ball
tap in birdie
Hogan. He played a long time but didn't become dominant until his 30s when he had some breakthroughs that stopped him from pull hooking the hell out of the ball
tap in birdie
Thongchai Jaidee started at 16, joined the army and didnt turn pro until he was 30. More than 20 wins worldwide.
What time does the golf channel broadcast?
But some golf fans were dismayed when, partway through the final round, the live coverage suddenly cut off. Golf Channel aired the first two hours of the broadcast, from 9-11 a.m. ET, and the coverage got off to a rollicking start.
How long can you watch golf on CBS?
But that’s generally limited to 15 or so minutes (unless a springtime Big Ten basketball game goes to overtime). In this case, fans’ only options to continue watching live golf were ...
Who is the executive producer of Golf Channel?
Golf Channel/NBC Sports Executive Producer Molly Solomon took to Twitter to explain her company’s side, as Golf Channel continued to provide updates and analysis (but not live broadcast coverage) via Golf Central before switching to other programming, including a Feherty interview with Thomas. “Feel compelled to explain TV rights ...
Is golf tape delayed?
Golf has always been relatively unique in the way its lengthy final-round broadcasts often switch networks, but it’s rare for other major sports to only televise a tape-delayed version of competition. Golf’s broadcast networks have always had to contend with shifting schedules, whether that means a tournament is rain-delayed ...
Does Golf Central have rights to the current window?
Golf Channel doesn’t have rights to current window. Hence, Golf Central keeping you updated.”. Golf Channel’s main account retweeted the messages. Feel compelled to explain TV rights to all those rabid golf fans: Golf Channel has rights to the weekend lead-in coverage which is comprised of 2 hours before network coverage begins. 1/2.
