How can I become a professional golfer?

Question

I have a Handicap Index of 0.3. I live in a small town of about 20000 people and strive under pressure. What or where can I play to prove myself?

Answer 1

Assuming you are good enough, you need to find a "qualifier".

If you place well enough, you will be able to go pro.  You may have to travel to find a qualifying tournament.

Answer 2

To be a pro does not meen playing on the PGA or Nationwide Tours, there are many areas especially in the Southeast, Southern and Western parts of this great country.  These areas have numerous sattelite tours such as in California we have a little tour called the Golden State Tour and the Spanos Tour if it is still around.  These events pay out between $1000 to $15000 in first place money and gives you a great opportunity to find out where your game is and if you can handle the pressure.  Good Luck

Answer 3

Practice, practice, practice.  In spite of a 0.3 index being a really good golfer you probably need to be a +3 or +4 to make it as a professional.

Answer 4

Bigshot: I've answered this question before here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Here is the text reposted:

--------------------------------------...

There are five ways to become a PGA TOUR member eligible to compete in PGA TOUR events subject to PGA TOUR regulations.

1. Finish within the top 30 and ties at the annual Qualifying Tournament.

2. Win a co-sponsored or approved PGA TOUR event.

3. Finish among the top 150 players on the official money list in a year (through sponsor exemptions, foreign exemptions, open qualifying or section qualifying, etc.)

4. Win during the course of a PGA TOUR season an amount of official money (by playing in PGA TOUR events through sponsor exemptions, foreign exemptions, open qualifying or section qualifying, etc.) equal to the amount won in the preceding year by the 150th finisher on the official money list.

5. Finish in the top 20 on the official Nationwide Tour money list.

In most PGA TOUR open events there is an open qualifying round conducted by the PGA Section where the event is being played. The four low scorers (unless otherwise indicated) will advance to that event. This open qualifying round is normally held the Monday of tournament week and is open to all professionals and amateurs with a USGA handicap of 2 or less.

The PGA Section qualifying round is also held in conjunction with most PGA TOUR open events. This is for all PGA members who belong to that Section where the event is being played. Two low scorers advance to the event. The Monday preceding the tournament week is normally used for this competition. The current Section champion or player of the year is also exempted into most PGA TOUR open events.

------------------------------------

Becoming a member of the PGA of America is just as difficult:

In order to become a PGA member, you will need to become a registered apprentice and go through the PGA Professional Golf Management (PGA/PGM)TM Program. In order to register into the PGA/PGMTM Program, you must:

Meet the Eligible Employment requirements described below.

Eligible Employment

Individuals shall be eligibly employed in one of the following classifications.

You must be eligibly employed at the time of registration and for six months within the 12 months prior to registration.

Participation in an amateur event will forfeit all work experience credits earned prior to the event.

Satisfy the PAT requirement. (Playing Abilities Test)

An apprentice registration form verifying employment and documenting your review of the Professional Readiness Orientation (PRO) must be signed and submitted by you.

In order to become a registered PGA apprentice, you will pay all apprentice fees for National and your Section and will purchase the Level 1 Kit.

When step 4 above is completed, you are a registered PGA apprentice.

Acceptable Progress is defined by successful completion of each Level's Checkpoint. In order to remain in good standing, the Level 1 Checkpoint must be successfully completed within two years of the Level 1 start date.

The Level 2 Checkpoint must be successfully completed within four years of the Level 1 start date.

Level 3 Checkpoint must be successfully completed within six years of the Level 1 start date.

Apprentices have eight years from their Level 1 start date to graduate from the PGA PGM Program and get elected to membership.

Have a high school diploma or be at least 18 years of age and have the equivalent of a high school education. You are eligible for educational credits toward PGA membership with a college degree.

An individual must be either a U.S. Citizen or resident alien.

A total of 36 work experience credits must be earned in addition to fulfilling the PGA/PGMTM Program. (One credit per month while eligibly employed full time.)

12 credits are awarded for a four year college degree and six credits for a two year college degree.

Amateur Status: Work experience earned prior to participating in an amateur event will be forfeited.

If you have any questions concerning this information or requirements to become a PGA member, [phone].

--------------------------------------...