My Quest to Become a Golf Pro

Certified Preowned Callaway Golf Clubs

About Me

My name is Mike and this is my story. I’m on a quest to become a golf pro.

When I was in college I worked on a golf course for several years and it was then that I became hooked on the great game of golf. I played every chance I got. Now, I’m 33 years old, out of college, and work as a software engineer. I like my job. It’s interesting, but it doesn’t captivate me like golf does. I think it. I read it. I watch it. I play it. I live it.

Everyone who follows a sport has either an inner or outward desire to play that sport professionally. Golf is one of the very few sports where a person can make money as a professional for a long time, without necessarily having to reach the highest levels of competition to do so.

One day, I came to the realization that at some point I’ve executed every shot in the book. High fades, low draws, dead straight, flop shots, running chips, long putts, short putts, 320+ yard drives, delicate pitches. My handicap was approaching the single digits. So, why am I not on tour? For starters, I had a series of nagging injuries that kept me from playing and practicing for long stretches. And second, I wasn’t putting the work in. I mean real work. Not just showing up and playing a round, or going to the range and beating a basket of balls. It also doesn’t help that I didn’t seriously take up the game until I was 18 or so.

Well, I’ve come to the realization that I want to make golf my life. I don’t care how long it takes. I’m willing to put the work in. How far I go is something I’ll figure out as time goes on. Maybe I’ll get into a club pro or teaching job and like it so much that I’ll stay there and be happy. But for now, I crave competition. I want to play competitively. That doesn’t necessarily mean the PGA Tour. But I’m going to climb as high as ability and determination will allow.

So what’s the plan? The plan is for me to do the things in my life to make this happen. That means health of mind and body, lots of practice, lessons, more practice, lots of play, and some more practice. I’m single with no kids so I just need to balance this goal with my current career. My pathetic social life won’t even notice the difference. I need to drop a significant amount of weight so diet and exercise are critical.

My friend Frank turned me on to the idea of putting a website/blog together. The purpose is two-fold: I figure if I have people watching me, there’s accountability. That’ll help me stay on track, even though there aren’t any real consequences other than me being perceived as a huge failure. Second, I want to share what I learn with others. Maybe I can share nuggets of wisdom that come my way to help others with their own golf quest.

My plan is to keep track of my progress, but also to provide information that might be of general interest for people who couldn’t care less about me. That includes things like book reviews, equipment reviews, course reviews. I’m not a pro yet, but I’d like to share some of my favorite tips and drills. There are tons of great golf blogs out there that cover current events in golf and I have no desire to do that. But I might engage in some technical analysis or other discussion about current players when I feel it suits what I’m trying to accomplish. I’m going to be sharing my story, but I hope to share a lot more useful information.

While I’m going to be doing most of the talking, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to hear from you too. I’d love to hear feedback from everyone about my quest. Feel free to leave comments on my posts or shoot me an e-mail. Some time in the near future, I’m planning on setting up a forum as well, so we can really chat it up.

Hang around, grab a spot in the next range stall and let’s get to work.

There are currently 8 responses to “About Me”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone elses, so come on... let us know what you think.

  1. 1 On September 1st, 2007, Artful Golfer said:

    Enjoying your blog! I picked up the game 2 years ago at 46 years old and also work as a software engineer. Good career, but it’s not golf! Best of luck to you!!

    posted on September 1st, 2007 at 10:38 am

  2. 2 On September 1st, 2007, Double Eagle said:

    Thanks, Artful Golfer!

    posted on September 1st, 2007 at 10:41 am

  3. 3 On September 4th, 2007, c.a. Marks said:

    Hey there. I just now found your blog and have added you to my Google reader. I am most interested in your progress seeing as how my fiance is a golf pro. Good luck and I’ll be reading.

    posted on September 4th, 2007 at 2:23 pm

  4. 4 On September 4th, 2007, Double Eagle said:

    Thanks, c.a. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

    posted on September 4th, 2007 at 8:24 pm

  5. 5 On September 29th, 2007, Paul said:

    Mike, you should read, ‘Bring me the head of Sergio Garcia,(my year of swinging dangerously on the pro golf tour) by Tom Cox….although it might put you off, of wanting to become a golf pro!

    posted on September 29th, 2007 at 6:32 am

  6. 6 On September 29th, 2007, Double Eagle said:

    I’ll put that one on my list, Paul.

    At this point, the only thing that will put me off is me. I might find that I’m happy being a teacher or golf coach some day and never even try (or even get good enough to try) being a tour pro, and that’s OK.

    posted on September 29th, 2007 at 8:19 am

  7. 7 On January 27th, 2008, Scott said:

    Hey man,
    I really like your site. We actually have a lot in common. I just graduated college at VT and played on the club team while there. I also got hooked on the game in college and I would play everyday in any weather. I work as an engineer as well (mechanical engineer). I have pretty much the same goal as you. My ultimate goal is to make the PGA tour. In fact, I have a bet with my brother for $1,000 that I will have played in a PGA tour event by age 33. It’s a good way to motivate me lol! I would like to learn more about how you are going about pursuing this goal. The way I have been doing it is taking lots of lessons, which has helped a lot. I practice everyday and play each weekend. I workout 3-6 times a week. And I play in a lot of amatuer events where I live in VA. Do you play in a lot of amateur events? I’d like to play more but it gets expensive. I think I played in about 10 or so last summer, the biggest one being the VA state public links.

    posted on January 27th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

  8. 8 On January 27th, 2008, Double Eagle said:

    Scott, glad you like the site. Thanks for coming by.

    As far as what I’m doing, it’s pretty much all here. Check out the links along the top and side and you can see the practice and workout plans I’ve used. I really need to update that stuff because my winter routine is much different, and in the spring, I expect to make big changes.

    I also do periodic updates on my progress (the ‘My Progress’ category has all those). I try to put out a lot of information about what I try that does and does not work for me.

    I haven’t played in many events because as I was learning the game, I was more of a solitary player. Since I started this last year, I’ve been working on developing my game and kind of neglected that competitive aspect. However, that’s very important and I’ll be playing more events in 2008. I still need to develop my game (and my body) a lot further to be able to compete in the bigger national amateur events.

    As far was what you’re doing, you have a great leg-up already with playing and practicing so much, and working out regularly. You’re at an advantage with age, too. At 33, I’m on the far side of the mountain. But you’re on your way up. Keep practicing and playing and find a coach/teacher that suits your style.

    At this point, the chance of me playing a PGA Tour event is very, very small, but becoming a teaching pro would be a very welcome career change for me and it’s something that I feel I can accomplish. For you, however, the Tour can be a reality with a lot of hard work and some lucky breaks.

    It’s an expensive game, but try and find a less expensive place to play and practice and really develop your game.

    I hope I can provide experience and information here that will help you along the way.

    Best of luck!

    posted on January 27th, 2008 at 8:54 pm

Leave a Comment

Comment Policy

*
To prove you're a person (not a spam script), type the security word shown in the picture. Click on the picture to hear an audio file of the word.
Click to hear an audio file of the anti-spam word

Subscribe without commenting

Shop.CallawayGolf.com

  • Advertisements

  • $4.99 Flat Rate Shipping at Shop.CallawayGolf.com

  • Search

  • Affiliates

  • Certified Preowned Callaway Golf Clubs