About Me

My name is Mike Gray 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 35 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 29 responses to “About Me”

1
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
Double Eagle said:

Thanks, Artful Golfer!

Posted on September 1st, 2007 at 10:41 am
3
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
Double Eagle said:

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

Posted on September 4th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
5
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
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
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
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
9
Cameron - OddBlast said:

Fantastic! This is great, I am cheering you on all the way. Thanks for stopping by the OddBlast site, there are others out there with the same dreams and aspirations! Best Wishes! Keep in touch!

Posted on July 9th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
10
Double Eagle said:

Thanks, Cameron!

Same to you and I’ll be rooting for you the whole way!

Posted on July 9th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
11
Daniel said:

Hi Mike, I am 30 and also training to become pro.
i train between 5-10 hours daily. usually around 7.
we could share tips and tricks

Posted on November 10th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
12
Double Eagle said:

That’s awesome, Daniel. It’s great that you’re able to train for so many hours. Best of luck to you!

Posted on November 10th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
13
Jack Clarke said:

Hi just found your blog and wish you the best of success!

Do you plan on playing the minor circuits first and is Q school a viable option? Anyway, well put together blog and again, good luck!

Posted on November 11th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
14
Double Eagle said:

Thanks, Jack!

Right now, I still have a lot of work to do to get my game and body in shape. I’d be quite happy if I could play the mini-tours, but it’s not my only measure of success. I’d be very happy if I could be a teaching pro, too. Given my age, Q-School is probably not realistic, but you never know. I’m not going to quit until I find out, but it’s slow going.

Posted on November 11th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
15
Scott Jessee said:

Mike,
Excellent website, great info. Glad you are working on your dream. Not enough people actually try to get there…they just have a dream and talk about it. It’s kinda like having a great idea and then never following through. Go for it man…..good luck.

Scott

Posted on November 22nd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
16
Double Eagle said:

Thanks, Scott!

Posted on November 22nd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
17
Chet said:

Hi Mike,

I hate to rain on your parade, but I wish someone had talked to me about what a pipedream the golf business is when I was in it 10 years ago. I have played, practiced, managed courses, given lessons, passed my PAT and had to change jobs enought that I almost had a nervous breakdown. I now teach high school to special needs students who are at risk. I have a great retirement, summers and christmas off, plus other holidays and I still teach golf. Find a way to do what you love, but do not do it as a career. If you are really good, and lucky you might be able to make it, but there is a reason why every asst pro is about 25 years old and has the dream.

Mike how many public head pros are at a location for 5 years, not many that I know of. Another thing you might want to think about is how many private HP jobs are there in your city that will provide job security, and financial security if you get a family. In my city there are about 4, and those guys work hard, real hard.

Good Luck
CP

Posted on December 20th, 2008 at 12:26 am
18
Double Eagle said:

Thanks for the warning, Chet. It’s good for me to have realistic expectations and to hear stories from people who didn’t have the level of success they would have liked.

The good thing about my situation is that I have a fall back plan. If I can’t quite make things work the way I want, I can resume the career that I’m in now with no regrets.

I have another advantage over young pros just starting out in that I don’t have to put myself in any situation that might be unfavorable. I have nothing but time and can afford to hunt down and/or wait out the right opportunities.

Posted on December 20th, 2008 at 12:37 am
19
Derek said:

Hi Mike,

Glad I found your website, I love to hear about and see people follow through on their dreams. Regardless of the outcome you will be better for taking the trip.

Good luck, I’ll be following along and cheering for you!

Derek

Posted on March 1st, 2009 at 4:17 pm
20
Yardage Pro said:

Hey DE –

Always have a fallback plan, but dangit – go for it. Never stop trying.

My brother could have played on the tour – I am sure of it – he’s (still) that good. But now years have crept up and at 50 – he’s kicking around senior Q. Still – if he’d only had the motivation when he was younger!

Have a back up plan and a good job. Outside of that – follow your dreams.

Nice site – thanks for keeping it up.

Posted on March 22nd, 2009 at 12:17 am
21
Paladin said:

Mike,

You should not consider age an impediment. Remember that Calvin Peete didn’t even start golf until he was 24, and Larry Nelson didn’t start until he returned home from Vietnam.

As for teaching, I have to echo the sentiments of the other poster who addressed it. Far be it from me to discourage you if that is your dream, but, as someone who taught for many years (a different sport, but one in the same category), I can confirm what the other fellow said: teaching pros work VERY hard. Generally speaking, it’s not a job with many benefits; you earn more by teaching more hours and have to pay for most everything yourself. And most pros get burned out on the game to a point where it ceases to be fun. So, I could be wrong, but I think you’ll find competition more to your liking.

Posted on May 30th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
22
Double Eagle said:

I don’t doubt it, Paladin. I’ve heard that same kind of thing from a number of people. Right now, I’m enjoying the process of working on my game and it’s going to take a while, so I’m a long way off from having to make that decision. Some day, the time will come and I’ll think long and hard, and will definitely take all the great advice I’ve gotten into consideration. Personality-wise, I would probably find competition more to my liking. If I ever get to the point where I feel I can compete at a high level, then I believe that’s what I would choose. If I can’t get to that point, then I’ll need to make some decisions.

Posted on May 30th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
23
tommyd said:

to borrow a quote from Confucius, “If you enjoy what you do you will never work a day for the rest of your life.” Best of luck to you

Posted on June 5th, 2009 at 7:26 am
24
twadlund said:

Mike, really cool man. I came across your blog a few weeks ago. I am a huge golf fan and also share the desire to become a pro. I have gone through and looked backed at a lot of the previous articles and have gotten a little out of everything I’ve read. I think its great that you are able to log all of your ups and downs on this blog, along with all of the help from your followers. Pretty cool stuff. I like that this blog is more about your story with tips along the way and not just a bunch of current golf news. I look forward to all the good stories and tips to come!

Posted on July 13th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
25
Paul said:

Hey, Mike. I’m a huge fan of both golf and blogging but just found your site today. Still, I’ve decided to make it a favorite and visit often.

I wish you luck on your plan to make a living off of golf. If I were anywhere near as accomplished as you are, I would shoot for the same thing.

Anyway, I’m just an average, double digit handycap guy with dreams of getting it into single digits some day. Not because I want to go pro, but because it would be fun to beat the tar out of my buddies on the golf course. Plus, everyone naturally wants to get better.

Anyway, I’ve decided to live vicariously through you, so you better succeed. : )

Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
26
Double Eagle said:

Thanks, Paul. I’ll do my best. I’m playing much better lately and hope to do good things by the end of the season and beyond.

Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
27
bob said:

first off.. if you are “approaching single digit handicaps”, then you have no chance of passing your PAT.
second… there is more to the business than playing, real golf professionals don’t play very much golf at all because the job requires long hours during the day when you would normally play.

i hope you can make it.
good luck

Posted on September 13th, 2009 at 2:41 am
28
Double Eagle said:

Bob, obviously I don’t have a chance to pass the PAT if I’m still a double-digit handicap. But kind of the point of this whole massive effort is to improve my game to the point where I can pass the PAT.

I’m also well aware of the life of a golf pro. I believe teaching others the game will be more rewarding than sitting in a cubicle all day, though I certainly could be wrong. I would be trading one form of not being able to play during the day for another.

Posted on September 13th, 2009 at 8:21 am
29
M. Rice said:

Mike,

Love the blog and more importantly love the dream! It’s people like you that help inspire others to go for there dreams as well. I have recently decided to go for my own little quest, and golf the Top 100 Courses in America, all in 2010! I have started my own little blog and am on a search to meet people like yourself who can motivate and inspire. I look forward to reading more about you. Livin’ the dream!

Posted on September 14th, 2009 at 6:57 pm

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