[uhntissbaby111]

For a few days, i have been wondering how guys like Tiger, Donald, AK, ect join the PGA Tour. To my my knowledge, none of them went through q-school or played on the nationwide tour. So how do those guys, and all the others that dont go to q school or play the nationwide tour get to play on the PGA tour? Also, another thing that confuses me is turning pro. How do they get pro status? Do they take a test or something?


Adam

[parabol420]

I have been wondering the same thing and am really interested in hearing the answer to this as well.

[sksmall]

If you win enough money in 'x' amount of tournaments, you earn pga tour membership. You can get into tournaments through sponsor's exemptions, Monday qualifying, how you finish in majors, World Golf Rankings, etc. The guys from overseas earn money towards PGA qualifications through WGC events and majors, mostly, then decide whether or not to join the tour full time, or play the European Tour. Tiger, on the other hand, came on tour in the middle of the year, and played on sponsor's exemptions. There is a clause that if you earn as much as the 125th player from the previous year, you earn a spot, or something like that, and he did so easily, if I remember correctly. Also, if you win a tournament, you get a 2 year (I think) exemption. Basically, there are a bunch of ways other than Q school, and each person you refer to probably took a different path.

[m2daRizzle]

sponsors exemptions and Monday qualifiers get you into events. finishing in the money consistently gets you enough cash to keep your card.

[Bones01gt]

Sponsor's exemptions lets them get a foot in the door. I believe if you earn a certain amount of $$$ or win you are awarded a card. I know if you win you are exempt, but I am really just guessing on the $$$....Can anyone confirm or deny this?

[heddp]

I think AK did Q school...

[uhntissbaby111]

heddp, on Mar 3 2009, 03:14 PM, said:

I think AK did Q school...

my mistake, you are correct, he did enter through q school


adam

[sksmall]

Bones01gt, on Mar 3 2009, 04:10 PM, said:

Sponsor's exemptions lets them get a foot in the door. I believe if you earn a certain amount of $$ or win you are awarded a card. I know if you win you are exempt, but I am really just guessing on the $$....Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Hey Bones! I know when Tiger came on tour, there was a clause that allowed you to get your card if you won the same amount of money in a certain number of tournaments that year as the last exempt player from the previous year won. In other words, Tiger had to win as much in 12 (guess at a number) tournaments in his rookie year of 96, for instance, as the 125th player had won in 1995, in order to earn his card. Of course it became a moot point since he won twice, I think. Not sure if that rule still applies or not.

[gpo]

Anthony Kim played his first PGA event in Sept'06 probably as a sponsor exp. He finished 2nd. He then went on to Q-school and finished 13th.

Not bad first PGA event and he finishes 2nd

[InTheHole]

I believe there is also a route for amateurs, is there not?

Some tournaments have exemptions for top amateurs and those who win specific amateur events. Also, that's another way to get noticed for a sponsor's exemption.

As far as pro status, I believe you just "declare" yourself a professional. If I'm not mistaken, you could declare yourself a pro right now... Once you make a certain amount of money, you cannot be considered an amateur and you cannot enter "amateur-only" events. But I don't think there is anything special about being a professional golfer, as far as status goes. Whether you are a PGA member and have achieved certain status there is another story, I believe (maybe someone can clarify that? I'm confused about that also...).

[hbear]

Yup as long as you make enough money (top place 125th on the money list) you are exempt for the following year.

[gpo]

You can get your amatuer status back. Not sure about the exact rules, but after a certain amount of time of not playing as a professional you can petition the USGA. I only know that because my boss did that.

[sksmall]

InTheHole, on Mar 3 2009, 04:22 PM, said:

I believe there is also a route for amateurs, is there not?

Some tournaments have exemptions for top amateurs and those who win specific amateur events. Also, that's another way to get noticed for a sponsor's exemption.

As far as pro status, I believe you just "declare" yourself a professional. If I'm not mistaken, you could declare yourself a pro right now... Once you make a certain amount of money, you cannot be considered an amateur and you cannot enter "amateur-only" events. But I don't think there is anything special about being a professional golfer, as far as status goes. Whether you are a PGA member and have achieved certain status there is another story, I believe (maybe someone can clarify that? I'm confused about that also...).

Yup, you are right. As soon as you accept prize money in a professional event, you are no longer an amateur. Notice I said money - that dozen balls for your close up doesn't count.. lol. There is a HUGE difference between being a professional, and being a PGA member. Way too much to discuss here.. lol. I'm sure that there is some sort of path or criteria on PGA.com, though, if the OP is interested.

[Cwing]

Top so many (top 10, top 20 something like that) money leaders on the Nationwise Tour also get tour cards.

[tjy355]

uhntissbaby111, on Mar 3 2009, 01:45 PM, said:

For a few days, i have been wondering how guys like Tiger, Donald, AK, ect join the PGA Tour. To my my knowledge, none of them went through q-school or played on the nationwide tour. So how do those guys, and all the others that dont go to q school or play the nationwide tour get to play on the PGA tour? Also, another thing that confuses me is turning pro. How do they get pro status? Do they take a test or something?

Several different terminologies in effect here.

There is a "pro"
Anyone who has renounced their amateur status by collecting a paycheck for playing golf. Anyone can declare themselves a pro and enter pro tournaments simply by paying the entry fee (and qualifying if necessary).

There is a PGA Pro
This is a career program and certification is given by the PGA of America. PGA Pros are the guys that manage clubs and give lessons. Not necessarily tournament pros.

Then there is the PGA Tour
Several ways to earn PGA Tour status. (Money list, Nationwide tour, Q-school...) One does not have to be a PGA Pro to play on the PGA Tour.

In Tiger's case, he turned pro after a notable amateur career so he was offered quite a few sponsor's invitations to PGA Tour events. Using these exemptions he actually won enough money to qualify him to play full time on the PGA Tour the next season.

In Anthony Kim's case, he qualified by being a top finisher at the Q-School.

Luke Donald, I don't know.

[InTheHole]

Ooops- yes, forgot that one- the mini tours get you a path in also.

If all of the stars align correctly, and your handicap index is (I believe) 2.4 or lower, you can enter a US Open Regional Qualifier tournament. Do well there and you move on. Make it to the US Open and win... and you're in!

Of course, the likes of Tiger and Rocco may have something to say about the "win" part...

[irishfight4it]

you don't need to accept money to be deemed a pro. once you call yourself a pro, you are no longer allowed to play amateur exclusive events. for instance, if you are a pro shop assistant, but you have cards made that say assistant pro, you are now a pro. if you tried to play US AM or something, and they found out.... no go

[abewley]

uh.. tiger WON the las vegas tourney to earn is card in 96.

[tjy355]

FYI, here is a list of the exemption and ranking system for 2009.

From http://www.pgatour.c.../pgatour-exempt

"Each PGA TOUR player has earned a position on the priority ranking system that will be used to select tournament fields. The complete ranking system, in order of priority, is as follows:

• Winner of PGA Championship or U.S. Open prior to 1970 or in the last 10 calendar years: (Beginning in 1998, this is a five-year exemption.)
  
• Winner of THE PLAYERS Championship in the last 10 calendar years: (Beginning in 1998, this is a five-year exemption.)
  
• Winners of the Masters Tournament in the last 10 calendar years: (Beginning in 1998, this is a five-year exemption.)
  
• Winners of the British Open in the last 10 calendar years: (Beginning in 1998, this is a five-year exemption.)
  
• Winners of THE TOUR Championship, beginning in 2005 (a three-year exemption)
  
• Winners of World Golf Championships events, beginning in 2005 (a three-year exemption)
  
• The winner of the FedExCup in each of the last five calendar years.
  
• The leader in PGA TOUR official earnings in each of the last five calendar years
  
• Winners of PGA TOUR co-sponsored or approved events (except team events) within the last two calendar years, or during the current year; winners receive an additional year of exemption for each additional win, up to five years
  
• Leaders in official PGA TOUR career earnings, as follows:
  • Players among the top 50 in career earnings as of the end of the preceding calendar year may elect to use a one-time, one-year exemption for the next year
    
  • Players among the Top 25 in career earnings as of the end of the preceding calendar year may elect to use this special exemption for a second year, provided that the player remains among the Top 25 on the career money list.
  
  
• Sponsor exemptions (a maximum of eight, which may include amateurs with handicaps of 0 or less), on the following basis
  • Not less than two sponsor invitees shall be PGA TOUR members not otherwise exempt.
    
  • Not less than two of the top 25 finishers and ties from the last Qualifying Tournament, as well as 2-25 from the 2007 Nationwide Tour money list, if not all of them can otherwise be accommodated. (Note: PGTA TOUR members may receive an unlimited number of sponsor invitations. Non-TOUR members may receive a maximum of seven per year.)
  
  
• Two international players designated by the Commissioner.
  
• The current PGA Club Professional Champion for a maximum of 6 open events (3 must be opposite British Open and World Golf Championships events), in addition to any sponsor selections.
  
• PGA Section Champion or Player of the Year of the Section in which the tournament is played.
  
• Four low scorers at Open Qualifying which shall normally be held onMonday of tournament week.
  
• Past champions of the particular event being contested that week, if cosponsored by the PGA TOUR and the same tournament sponsor (except for Team events), as follows:
  • Winners prior to July 28, 1970: unlimited exemptions for such events.
    
  • Winners after July 28, 1970 and prior to Jan. 1, 2000: 10 years of exemptions for such events.
    
  • Winners after Jan. 1, 2000: five years of exemptions for such events.
  
  
• Life Members (who have been active members of the PGA TOUR for 15 years and have won at least 20 co-sponsored events)
  
• Top 30 on the previous year’s FedExCup points list.
  
• Top 125 on previous year’s Official Money List: If not exempt under "Special Exemptions," the top 125 PGA TOUR members on the previous year’s Official Money List, in order of their position
  
• Players who finished in the Top 125 on the 2007 PGA TOUR Money List as non-members
  
• Major Medical Extension: If granted by the Commissioner, if not otherwise eligible, and if needed to fill the field, Special Medical Extension.
  
• Leading Money Winner from 2007 Nationwide Tour.
  
• Top-10 and Ties among professionals from the previous open tournament whose victory has official status are exempt into the next open tournament whose victory has official status.
  
• Top 25 and Ties from the previous year’s PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament, in order of their finish, and players 2-25 on the 2007 Nationwide Tour money list.
  
• Nationwide Tour 3-Win Promotion to any player winning 3 times during the current season, in priority determined by the date in which they win their third event.
  
• Minor Medical Extension.
  
• Next 25 members after the Top 125 members from previous year’s Official Money List. If needed to fill the field, the next 25 PGA TOUR members after the top 125 PGA TOUR members from the previous year’s Official Money List, in order of their position on the list.
  
• Non-Exempt, Major Medical Extension
  
• Past Champions, Team Tournament Winners and Veteran Members Beyond 150 on Money List: If not otherwise eligible and as needed to fill the field, Past Champion members, Team Tournament Winners and Veteran members beyond 150th place on the previous year’s Money List, in order of their combined official PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour earnings in the previous year.
  
• Past Champion Members: If not otherwise eligible and if needed to fill the field, Past Champion members, in order of the total number of cosponsored or approved events won, excluding Team events. If two or more players are tied, the player who is higher on the PGA TOUR Career Money List shall be eligible.
  
• Special Temporary: If during the course of a PGA TOUR season, a nonmember of the PGA TOUR wins an amount of official money (e.g., by playing in PGA TOUR events through sponsor exemptions, Open Qualifying, etc.) equal to the amount won in the preceding year by the 150th finisher on the official money list, he will be eligible for the remainder of the year.
  
• Team Tournament Winners: If not otherwise eligible and if needed to fill the field, winners of co-sponsored team championships, in order of the total number of team championship tournaments won. If two or more players are tied based on the number of such tournaments won, the player who is higher on the official PGA TOUR Career Money List shall be eligible.
  
• Veteran Members: If not otherwise eligible and if needed to fill the field, Veteran members (players who have made a minimum of 150 cuts during their career), in order of their standing on the PGA TOUR Career Money List."

[bunana3]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't declaring yourself a pro effect you more tax-wise. For instance, you are taxed more for prize money (ala winning the lottery or winning money in a casino). Where as if you declare yourself a pro, you rely on the prize money as your main source of income and just get taxed as income tax.

[InTheHole]

bunana3, on Mar 4 2009, 01:04 PM, said:

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't declaring yourself a pro effect you more tax-wise. For instance, you are taxed more for prize money (ala winning the lottery or winning money in a casino). Where as if you declare yourself a pro, you rely on the prize money as your main source of income and just get taxed as income tax.

I'm not sure that's the correct way to look at it- maybe they withhold differently, but money is money to the IRS. You are taxed on your AGI minus your deductions.

I think what you're getting at is, if you declare yourself a pro, then you can claim different deductions on a Schedule C as an independent contractor (like travel expenses, food, lodging, cost of a set of clubs, etc.) so it affects you that way.

They slam you on taxes up front with the lottery because they are afraid that people will run out and spend all the money (since they are not used to having a million dollars, normally) and not have the cash to pay the taxes later. So they take it out up front and you make up the difference at tax time, if appropriate, and get a refund for the overtax. But since most lottery winners are in a lower tax bracket anyway, chances are the refund will be small.

So declaring yourself a pro really affects your taxes based on your available deductions. For us non-pros, golf is considered a hobby and therefore you cannot deduct the expenses.

I am NOT a tax advisor- your mileage may vary.

[freed0m]

There's quite a few golf instructors local to me with the title Certified PGA Pro, is there a way to verify the credential? Oh, there's also "Apprentice Professional" title, what does that mean?

uhntissbaby111, on Mar 3 2009, 01:45 PM, said:

There is a PGA Pro
This is a career program and certification is given by the PGA of America. PGA Pros are the guys that manage clubs and give lessons. Not necessarily tournament pros.