I've been playing golf for a little over a year now and am shooting around 85. Should I think about a career?

[travisr26]

I might be a late golf bloomer as I'm 23 years old now, but I just picked up the game last year. I've never ever played before that. When I started, I fell in love with the game and have been playing as much as I can! I'm shooting around 85-90 pretty consistently. I have never taken lessons either. Is this something that I might be able to make a career out of? My lowest 9 hole is a 40 and my lowest 18 hole is an 82. Again, I just started playing a little over a year ago.

[bearsbdabest]

There are many young people and seniors in golf, so you still have time to chose. I think you need to work at it to get better and maybe you can be good and have a good career.

[dvz674]

Sorry, but you need to be at least a scratch player. Also need to be good at shaping shots and distance control etc... But don't give up the dream. Keep working at it. Who knows.

[Howie360]

Seeing as Calvin Peete didn't start playing golf until he was in his 20's...and went on to win 12 times on tour, (including the "Players Championship" at TPC Sawgrass) during his career. Won the Vardon Trophy and played on two (2) US Ryder cup teams...

So, if Calvin did it...why can't you? Go for it! Just keep playing and practicing and who knows, maybe in 6 months, you'll be shooting scratch golf! ;-)

[matthew284]

If over the next year you can get down to a scratch player then give it a shot. But its going to require you to either quit your job and play and practice all the time, or work a job that would allow you to play and practice all the time. If you really want to be good, spend hours and hours a week putting and practicing your short game.
I think now more than ever the competition to be a pro golfer is higher than ever! If you really want a career in golf look into becoming a PGA professional. You have to be a really good golfer but you don't have to be tiger.

[chrisarrow222808]

Probably not...I'm 60, been playing 2 yrs....I shoot those numbers.

Is it on a Class A or championship level course?

You said 85..then you said 85-90..that's around bogey, nah, it wouldn't be good enough.

My advice. since you are thinking of going pro..play for money, side bets etc...see if you win or not. You might find the competition is also above your level, but they are not going pro either.

[Ml142]

Everybody who shoots 80 wants to be a golf pro...jeez. I live in Orlando...within 40 miles of here...there are 2,500 guys that shoot par or better everyday...all plus handicaps. Stand up over a putt for $25k...let alone a million bucks...I have....different game. I shot 58 on a 6.900 yd course..."in the zone"...could never make it out of the first round of qualifying for the Tour.

Don't mean to pop your bubble...but, the closest thing you can do for a career in golf....pick up range balls.

[JasonG719]

You can get a career in golf at the golf institute, but not as a pro golfer. Your doing well for playing a year, but you'll really have to fast forward your progress to become a pro. You would have to be a scratch golfer by the end of the year. The likelihood of that is supremely low.