We were discussing this in class today for a little bit and we all couldn't figure it out... how come michelle wie or tiger woods can just say that Im turning pro and become a pro golfer, but someone like me has to take the PAT test? Is it two different kinds of "pro"? I want to become a CPGA pro in the next couple of years and I was wondering how come Michelle Wie just annouce's it and she can be pro.

Brad

Accepting money and Sponsorships means you invalidate your amateur status. Thus you are a "professional". You still have to "qualify" to play on Tour or get a Sponsors exemptions.

Mind you, I'm not poking fun at the original posters question but just imagine that one of us announces that we're going pro...how many people will show up to report it? Kind of a funny thought.

Anyone can go pro? Where will you play is the question.

I hope I have this right...There are two different types of "pro" in the golf world. The first which requires passing a PAT and taking PGA courses is a "teaching pro" as it is commonly referred. The second is the "touring pro." The main difference as I see it is that a teaching pro typically manages a shop and/or course, gives lessons, and might play a limited schedule of competitive events as a professional. Teaching pros are professionals and can not compete in amateur events.

Touring pros are just that, ones who compete for a living.

That's the way it was explained to me years ago, so I hope I've got it somewhat correct.

I bet the tourney hosts liked amatures becuase they don't need to pay as much

talent ?

Just kidding..were are talking 2 completely different things here.. being a profession in terms of "playing" golf and a professional in terms of "teaching" golf.

I always looked at it like this.... golf professional heads up the pro shop/teaching at the course, professional golfer heads to the golf course to work on game to make living.

Michelle Wie ====== Professional Golfer
Tom, d***, and Harry====== Golf Professional

Its really as easy as that a Tour player can become a member of the PGA of America and receive the classification A-3 which is a fully exempt touring professional. Most touring professionals will become PGA members in order to be eligible for the PGA Championship.

A professional golfer is one who earns money in exchange for playing or teaching golf. You don't need to pass any tests in order to do this you just need to "get paid". Michelle Wie decided that she will start to accept compensation for playing golf there by invalidating her amateur status. She still isn't a member of the LPGA Tour as she is playing on sponsor's exemptions until she turns 18 but she can accept her winnings.

I think you will find that the money for that "place" is put back in the pot and the total purse stays the same.
Tommy

Professional golfer and Golf professional are 2 completely different things.

A professional golfer plays competitive golf for a living and a golf professional folds sweaters and answers telephones.

You do not need to pass a PAT and join the pga of america to be a golf professional, you just need to find someone willing to pay you for instruction.

BTW, the PAT is a joke. If you can't shoot 75 from 6200 yards, you shouldn't be allowed behind the counter to answer the pro shop phone. I know guys "in the program" that can't pass their PAT yet they are still out giving lessons everyday which is ridiculous and is really just stealing.

I know some people will argue that you don't have to be a great player to be a good teacher but that is BS and it usually comes from bad players that are teaching.

Botton line is that if you don't know enough about the golf swing to put together a swing to get it around the course in 75 shots from lpga yardage, then you do not know enough about the golf swing to be teaching it.

And that is my rant on golf professionals.