I started playing golf at 30 and I'm now 35. I play off a handicap of 3. Too late to turn professional?

Question

I started playing golf at 30 and I'm now 35. I play off a handicap of 3. Too late to turn professional?

Answer 1

Yes go for it....

Take a year out of work and have the time of your life

Then if you are doing well and love it keep going

If not you will still have had a year of a lifetime

Regards

Answer 2

handicaps can sometimes be false! im a 5 handicap and decided to play all the open championship courses in britain and on most of them i doubled my handicap. im not trying to knock you or dent your confidence but theres a big,big difference in the courses we play and the tournament courses! and even if you do play any of the courses on the pro circuit they are always set up differently. if you want to test yourself i suggest you try carnoustie and then and only then will you be able to answer your own question! stick with it though,its the greatest game in the world!

Answer 3

never too late. You will need to be a +3 though to even get through Q school to the Nationwide tour. Do remember though, if you are good enough, the pros will find you.

Answer 4

Go play some minitour events and see how you do.. It's kind of a reality check and you can see what needs improvement.. Nothing is impossible but you have to be realistic.  if you have a 3 handicap, you won't break 80 on tour courses especially in competition when the heat is on. Tournament golf is a totally different game and you need experience in that environment.  Give it a go, and play in as many tournaments as possible...You just might be ready for the senior tour...

Answer 5

Someone aged 28 asks a similar question at the link below and gets several good answers.

Answer 6

It's not too late - but if you are talking about playing on the PGA tour you need to get a lot better still.  When you get to +3 handicap you might have a chance.

Answer 7

mate, it's never to late, don't put your head down. look for an agent and go far in life! good luck

Answer 8

No. Its never too late in the game of golf. Take Steve Stricker for example. Two years ago he was struggling to make the pro tour and had to go to Q school. He was 37 at the time. Your only concern should be getting your handicap down even farther. If you want to go pro, you need to shoot constantly under par. A good starting place would be the nationwide tour. I would look into that first. Top finishers there get invites to Q school or an automatic pass to THE TOUR. I wouldn't focus so much on getting on a good tour then getting your handicap down even farther.

Answer 9

hey if you cant make it now, stay in shape and you got the champions tour in 15

Answer 10

Yes u need to be a scratch golfer anyway to turn pro.

Answer 11

with a 3 hc you couldnt afford to play..and you couldnt handle the presure..your caddie would starve and sleeping in a van or tent dont get it. unless you can shoot 4 to 5 under at 10 different courses that you havnt ever played//lets just get to the point..no no no...dreaming dont cost s--t..

Answer 12

depends really I worked as a caddie on the european tour for 18 months or so and the guys who make a living on there are probably not any better at hitting the golf ball than I am (8) though i havent played for a couple of years. They do approach the game with a different attitude though. They never or very rarely hit two poor shots in a row but can hit a lot of reasonable shots and still return a score. I am 49 and will give the seniors tour a crack in a couple of years when i retire. The course played on European tour genarlyy are not that difficult and by playing to par you will make a very good living but obviously will have to spend all your time playing to do that. Forget trying to shoot 4 or 5 under evrytime just stop shooting 4 or 5 over at anytime. Lean your weaknesses and manage them. If you cant drive it 300+ yds all the time hit 280 straight. Find your lay up length and practice it for hours till you can hit it to 2 ft in your sleep. When you get on tour or go to q school get yourself an good caddie they are worth 3 shots a round if you pay attention. Good Luck

Answer 13

I've answered this question on multiple occasions and I will use the same answer I used previously.  Allen Doyle, who plays on the Champions Tour, turned pro when he was 46 years old.

Answer 14

Rodney -

Are you talking about becoming a touring pro or a club pro....there is a major difference there.

Also, what is your career now? Do you have a family?

I need more background information to give you an intelligent answer.

Answer 15

It is not too late.  Several of the this years PGA 'rookies' are older than you.  You must shave another 6 to 8 strokes off the handicap though.  Good Luck

Answer 16

Allen Doyle turned pro at 49, so why not?

Answer 17

I wont sugar coat this answer. I played  the mini tours for a few years and then decided to get in the business.  I wont say whether its too late or not for you. I will say this. At a 3 handicap, you are at least 7-8 strokes per round off the pace.  As someone who has played at almost every level, I would break it down like this. Scratch-you'll be one of the better players at your home course.  Plus 2-you'll be competitive at state wide amateur events. Plus 3-4-you could make a little money on some mini tours. Plus 5-8- Tour professionals.  Tiger would spot you about 11-12 stokes.  Good luck!  

If you're talking about being a club professional, then the answer is no, it is not too late at all.

Answer 18

Go for it. Angel Cabrera didn't win his first major until he was fourty. You can do it.