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Is this possible? I didn’t grow up playing golf; I haven’t been to any world renowned golf schools, but I do have a wiliness to learn, pretty athletic, and good fundamentals. I am 29 years old. I currently shoot in the 80s. With a few years of practice/play, I know I can be a scratch golfer. Is scratch good enough to make a living on the Nationwide Tour?

Also I know there is a financial side of this as well. The cost of travel, lodging, etc, but the chance of making it excites me. Maybe I am a weekend golfer who has fallen too hard for golf who knows…….

Any advice?

First, quit your day job. And dedicate about 4-6 hours per day practicing.

No offense, but you're an average golfer right now and to play on the Nationwide Tour, you need to be able to shoot par or better on tough courses in tournament settings.

I'm not saying you can't do it. And I don't mean to be negative but I think you should set your goals at something a little more attainable (at least in the near term).

Langston, I have those same thoughts (however they are really far back in my head). "I'm athletic, coordinated, now that I've found this game I'm really dedicated and willing to keep learning. Why not me on one of the big tours?"

First off, I'm encouraging you on. It would be a good role model for the rest of us. Next, I would say to look into some of the local tournaments in your city/region first. For example, here in Houston you can shoot in the 80's and be in the middle of the pack on many of the local tours. That's my goal for now.

I figure that if I can shoot in the 80's, then I'll take that ability and place it in a tournament environment, with the structure/rules/pressure/etc. If I could excel there, then I would go to some of the more regional tours like Adams Tight Lies. Then if I could excel there, would I consider something like the Nationwide.

So IMHO, i say that for now, you don't need to quit your job, just try and move up the ranks. But do it with some sense of urgency, as most other players in these things will have been at it since they were kids. And you may need the time to work up to a big-time tour before its time to start thinking about Champions Tour ; )

I know it's a rough road ahead, but I have small goals that I work towards first. Like I said I am in the 80s now, and so my goal for this year is to shave strokes off my short game. I think with another 2-3 years I can be at par. I know par would be just getting me in the door on the NT, but hey you got to start somewhere......

How long have you been playing?

Don't laugh, but 2 years in June.....

While I don't want to kill anyone's dream, your quest will be extremely difficult. Professional golf is extremely competitive and at 29, you are several years behind in your development. But hey, with determination, passion and sacrifice, anyone can achieve their dreams. Good luck.

I'm reminded of a story from Harvey Pennick's Little Red Book. I will paraphrase.

A 40 something gentleman approached Harvey in the grill of their country club. He told Harvey that he wanted to join the Senior PGA Tour. Though he had never played competitive golf, he was a decent player. He would dedicate the next few years to practicing and then attempt to join the tour when he turned 50. Harvey said, 'That sounds like a great plan. I tell you what, there is a guy over there at the bar that is just like you. He is 40 something. He too is going to spend the next few years working on his game and he is also planning on joining the Senior tour when he turns 50. You should go talk to him and see what he thinks.' The guy at the bar that Harvey was talking about was Tom Kite.

Thanks for the advice. My job is pretty flexible and I would hold on for as long as I can. I plan to play the local tournaments this year and see how it goes.... Also part of me feels that if you work so hard to have a good golf game, don't you owe it to yourself to see how far you can go with it? I see a few guys around my course who shoot in the 60s. I think to myself you would have a shot on some golf tour if you would get out there... I just don't want to think "man I wish I would have...."

No worries, I don't take offense to anything that anyone is saying. I might get worried if everyone was telling me that I was the next TW..... it's a long road and I know that if I actually do make something of it, chances are I wouldn't be there for long, but I would rather fail at something I love that be good at something I hate.....

Hey, I wasn't trying to discourage you. If that is your dream, go for it. You might be paired with someone who goes on to the big show. Even if you didn't make it, think of the stories you could tell. Life experiences are priceless and no one can ever take them away from you. So many of us wish we had done something years ago. Good luck.

With all due respect, there is a HUGE difference between shooting in the 60's on a public course or even a challenging private one and then trying to replicate the same score on a tour course with its super fast greens that you never saw before in your life until you entered that tournament.

I''ll give you an example. About 12 years ago, a professional golfer who had not then graduated to the PGA was in town and played a local course that is very long and the greens were ok but not nearly as fast as what is on the non-PGA tours. He shot 60 and in my opinion, he was not even trying that hard. My friend, a scratch golfer, and knows that course like the back of his hand and was a local amateur champion shot 68.

Shooting in the 80's for you is impressive. But to drop from the 80's to scratch on your public or private course wont be enough because those courses arent up to snuff with tour ones, unless your private course has tournament conditions. THere are a few that do.

I'm not saying you cant do it, but we're talking a lot more that just getting to a scratch level on your home course.

a number of guys on the Nationwide Tour and believe you've got to be better than scratch to make it. When the Nationwide Tour makes its annual stop in Rancho Cucamonga you can find a lot of the guys out playing the local courses and a year ago a buddy (who is a 2 handicap) and I got paired up with two "middle of the pack" Nationwide guys. They both shot in the mid 60's without being challenged at all. The level they play at is far better than a scratch golfer and the fact they do it on courses that are set up a lot tougher than what you and I play is all the more impressive.

That's not saying that you couldn't do it. It would take a tremendous amount of practice, great coaching, solid financial backing, and an unrelenting will.

Best of luck in your pursuits.

The advice I am going to give you is brutally honest, but it is my honest opinion...


I am 21 and have played competitive golf for 13 years. I have played in many national tournaments, and college tournaments througout my career...I shoot anwhere from high sixtees to low 70's in these tournaments. I shoot under par almost every time I go out (in NON competitive play). I don't feel I am good enough for the nationwide tour......Those guys can shoot 61-65 no problem at any given time....If i get 5 under or so, I can hardly tee up my next shot I am so nervous....Those guys are unconcious! I have a friend Lee Willamson...who is 26....All American at Purdue, who is barely doing anything on the nationwide tour.....Those guys are as good as most pga guys........I would just stick to weekend golf..............It would take SOO much money to even attempt to be competitive out there but your mental game wll have to be rediculous...........

Go for it. Don't let anyone tell you that you cannot do anything. If that is what you want to do, and you have the confidence to do it, do it. Follow your dreams, whether or not they seem practical. You will always kick yourself if you don't try. You have my support.