How to Become a Professional Golfer

How many hours must a golfer put in on the course before he can become professional? Though there is no right answer there is certainly opposing arguments on the issue. Some golfers are true believers that you must have some sort of "natural talent" to have any chance of becoming an "expert". If becoming an expert means joining the PGA Tour than it is believed that a very minute percentage of us will actually make it, no matter many hours it is. This side of the issue believes that while most PGA pros have spent the better part of their lives playing golf, they still possess an underlying talent that separates them from the rest of the pack.

 For every guy on tour there are probably 50 guys that did the same thing growing up but did not have the talent to take it to the next level. It comes down to the fact that talent by itself can be wasted without practice, work ethic, and desire, but at the same time desire, practice, and work ethic are all pretty useless without some natural talent. While most professional athletes do have a very good work ethic, it’s their natural talent that got them to the point where they are at the top of their game. The variables are obvious and definitely plentiful in this case scenario, but we know that every person is different. Some people take longer to learn whereas others pick up on it right away. So how can we ever truly know what it takes to become a professional golfer?

The opposing views of the “natural talent” argument states; it is just an excuse for those that lack drive, motivation, mental fortitude, dedication and the ability to sacrifice. All of these things can be learned and for many professional athletes are learned at an early age so it appears to be "natural ability." No one can hit a fast ball out of the womb or drive a ball 300 yards just because they exist. Playing golf your whole life and logging 10k hours practicing, experimenting and learning without distraction are completely different. Especially for those who played their entire life considering it a recreational activity or just doing what they think should be done by never bothering to learn or experiment. If you read any story about a top performer or even a pro that sits on the bench, they have spent the majority of their life honing their skill because it brought them great pleasure to compete or play.

Many have also said it came at the expense of a "normal" childhood. But that is sacrifice for you have to make. The people who call themselves optimist can’t help but boast with the feeling that in sports anyone or almost anyone can become pro, if they have proper training. It is obvious that if you started golfing at 4 years old, and kept on practicing, by the time you're 15 years old you will have more experience than another 15 year old that just started. So after all is said and done the controversy prevails as it will for a long time to come. The one thing both sides are most consistent in agreement with is that golf is a game that cannot be mastered. Perhaps by agreeing that even Tiger Woods will never master the game, most golfers can continue to love and cherish the many great names that have made the sport what it is today.