111 replies to this topic

[Reif]

PuttingDoctor, on 10 February 2013 - 07:11 AM, said:

There's nothing like living the dream but don't give up your day job.

Well, that's the rub, isn't it?

To get to that level of golf, one almost certainly would have to give up his day job.

[TML]

I say go for it.  Give up your day job, practice night and day and live the dream!  It's your life, make your choice and go for it.

[Sean25rp]

PuttingDoctor, on 10 February 2013 - 07:11 AM, said:

So here's my 2 cents worth...

Why not take a good long look at your game.  Find your strengths and identify the weaknesses.  Build on both to take your game to the highest level ... NOW!  You'll need a solid +4 or better game to find your way into the true world of competitive golf.  There are plenty of mini-tours open to all who can pay the entry fee.

Now as to the Champions Tour it's been said above.... you have to go through quite a process.  First with no status carrying you into the mix you have to go through first a pre-qualifier to get into the Monday qualifier.  Generally only 2-5 spots in the Monday are going to be open.  You have to qualify in an event to stop having to go to the pre-qualifiers.

In the past the European C-Tour has been easier but the competition and cost of getting out there is steep.

Last you need to ask yourself (and your wife is you've got one of those) just how much you like living out of a suitcase and if you have the financial resources to endure the chase?

There's nothing like living the dream but don't give up your day job.

Again I'd like to ask is the Euro Senior tour like this?

[A.G.Blade]

I dont think any of the guys from the PGA Tour are going to practice for a true, solid 8 hrs a day in anticipation of the Champions Tour.  I dont think ballstriking or short game cant be as good; a +4 is attainable.  Its the experience of playing on tour, winning, pressure, and knowing the venues and greens, that makes the difference.  Familiarity with your opponents helps as well.

[russc]

Stats from the Champions Tour-2012      -median 38th ranking


Driving-276 yards

GIR-     %68

Scrambling % 57.7

scoring-  71.5

[sblack5]

russc, on 11 February 2013 - 02:05 PM, said:

Stats from the Champions Tour-2012      -median 38th ranking


Driving-276 yards

GIR-     %68

Scrambling % 57.7

scoring-  71.5

In champions tour tournament conditions

[russc]

Yes

An interesting stat showing primarily the effect  of equipment  and to a lesser extent , faster course conditions.

Mike Reid ,known as  a short driver averaged 247 yards in 1986 ,one of his better years.He was 32 at the time
In 2012 at the age of 58 ,he averaged 266 yards.I have no idea how to adjust for declining  physical capabilities  between 32 and 58 ,but in almost all instances the difference is pretty significant,so the increase of almost 19 yards off of the tee is even more impressive .

[ram01002]

russc, on 11 February 2013 - 02:33 PM, said:

Yes

An interesting stat showing primarily the effect  of equipment  and to a lesser extent , faster course conditions.

Mike Reid ,known as  a short driver averaged 247 yards in 1986 ,one of his better years.He was 32 at the time
In 2012 at the age of 58 ,he averaged 266 yards.I have no idea how to adjust for declining  physical capabilities  between 32 and 58 ,but in almost all instances the difference is pretty significant,so the increase of almost 19 yards off of the tee is even more impressive .

2012 - 266 yards
1986 - 247 yards
= 19 yards
ROCKETBALLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ   = (17 yards)

Net Increase = 2 yards.

Edited by ram01002, 11 February 2013 - 03:02 PM.

[DZClark]

At the risk of taking this OP's original thought a different direction.....

It is said that the OP will have to compete with all the current "headline" golfers in 10 years. I wonder if that is the case. In 10 years will PMickelson have the drive and the desire to tee it up? I mean, he will have more money than he can ever spend and maybe just maybe, will want to retire to a much different life destiny. Tiger? Same thing. Not that I don't think these guys will tee it up for the occasional event, but I think that the majority of the Champion tour guys now got into golf pre-Tiger, which means pre-big money. They are not as set financially as the guys my age (40, ten years and ticking for me).

My guess is in 10 years you will not be worried about the Tiger & Phil's of the world, but the other HUNGRY current PGA/Web.com/Mini tour guys who have not made as much money but who are working VERY hard at just having a job.

Still just as hard to make, just different playing partners.

[wobgon]

DZClark, on 11 February 2013 - 03:09 PM, said:

At the risk of taking this OP's original thought a different direction.....

It is said that the OP will have to compete with all the current "headline" golfers in 10 years. I wonder if that is the case. In 10 years will PMickelson have the drive and the desire to tee it up? I mean, he will have more money than he can ever spend and maybe just maybe, will want to retire to a much different life destiny. Tiger? Same thing. Not that I don't think these guys will tee it up for the occasional event, but I think that the majority of the Champion tour guys now got into golf pre-Tiger, which means pre-big money. They are not as set financially as the guys my age (40, ten years and ticking for me).

My guess is in 10 years you will not be worried about the Tiger & Phil's of the world, but the other HUNGRY current PGA/Web.com/Mini tour guys who have not made as much money but who are working VERY hard at just having a job.

Still just as hard to make, just different playing partners.

DZClark, on 11 February 2013 - 03:09 PM, said:

At the risk of taking this OP's original thought a different direction.....

It is said that the OP will have to compete with all the current "headline" golfers in 10 years. I wonder if that is the case. In 10 years will PMickelson have the drive and the desire to tee it up? I mean, he will have more money than he can ever spend and maybe just maybe, will want to retire to a much different life destiny. Tiger? Same thing. Not that I don't think these guys will tee it up for the occasional event, but I think that the majority of the Champion tour guys now got into golf pre-Tiger, which means pre-big money. They are not as set financially as the guys my age (40, ten years and ticking for me).

My guess is in 10 years you will not be worried about the Tiger & Phil's of the world, but the other HUNGRY current PGA/Web.com/Mini tour guys who have not made as much money but who are working VERY hard at just having a job.

Still just as hard to make, just different playing partners.

If in ten years, a whole lot of the big name players are not playing, there will be no champions tour. That is one thing you can take to the bank.

[PuttingDoctor]

russc, on 11 February 2013 - 02:05 PM, said:

Stats from the Champions Tour-2012   -median 38th ranking


Driving-276 yards

GIR- %68

Scrambling % 57.7

scoring-  71.5

Russ, the missing element in those numbers is that he got there... had either status or qualified.

Getting in is the real challenge.

Sean25rp, the Euro Champions Tour is less of a challenge to enter but still going to require lots of effort on pre-qualifiers until status is earned.

[fairways4life]

DZClark, on 11 February 2013 - 03:09 PM, said:

At the risk of taking this OP's original thought a different direction.....

It is said that the OP will have to compete with all the current "headline" golfers in 10 years. I wonder if that is the case. In 10 years will PMickelson have the drive and the desire to tee it up? I mean, he will have more money than he can ever spend and maybe just maybe, will want to retire to a much different life destiny. Tiger? Same thing. Not that I don't think these guys will tee it up for the occasional event, but I think that the majority of the Champion tour guys now got into golf pre-Tiger, which means pre-big money. They are not as set financially as the guys my age (40, ten years and ticking for me).

My guess is in 10 years you will not be worried about the Tiger & Phil's of the world, but the other HUNGRY current PGA/Web.com/Mini tour guys who have not made as much money but who are working VERY hard at just having a job.

Still just as hard to make, just different playing partners.

I agree. It's hard for me to picture Tiger playing the Champions Tour. I think it's more likely that when he reaches the point where he obviously can't contend anymore he'll just say forget it and that will be that. Maybe he comes out for the Senior US Open and Senior PGA and maybe another small handful of bigger Champions Tour events but I'd say it's highly unlikely that he -- or Phil -- become regulars.

I think the Champions Tour in 10 years will be made up mostly of the career journeymen, guys who won 2 or 3 tournaments on the PGA Tour over the course of 20 years. (Not that that changes the OP's chances of making it though).

[Sean25rp]

PuttingDoctor, on 11 February 2013 - 04:31 PM, said:

russc, on 11 February 2013 - 02:05 PM, said:

Stats from the Champions Tour-2012      -median 38th ranking


Driving-276 yards

GIR-     %68

Scrambling % 57.7

scoring-  71.5

Russ, the missing element in those numbers is that he got there... had either status or qualified.

Getting in is the real challenge.

Sean25rp, the Euro Champions Tour is less of a challenge to enter but still going to require lots of effort on pre-qualifiers until status is earned.

Thanks putting doc.

[DZClark]

fairways4life, on 11 February 2013 - 04:44 PM, said:

DZClark, on 11 February 2013 - 03:09 PM, said:

At the risk of taking this OP's original thought a different direction.....

It is said that the OP will have to compete with all the current "headline" golfers in 10 years. I wonder if that is the case. In 10 years will PMickelson have the drive and the desire to tee it up? I mean, he will have more money than he can ever spend and maybe just maybe, will want to retire to a much different life destiny. Tiger? Same thing. Not that I don't think these guys will tee it up for the occasional event, but I think that the majority of the Champion tour guys now got into golf pre-Tiger, which means pre-big money. They are not as set financially as the guys my age (40, ten years and ticking for me).

My guess is in 10 years you will not be worried about the Tiger & Phil's of the world, but the other HUNGRY current PGA/Web.com/Mini tour guys who have not made as much money but who are working VERY hard at just having a job.

Still just as hard to make, just different playing partners.

I agree. It's hard for me to picture Tiger playing the Champions Tour. I think it's more likely that when he reaches the point where he obviously can't contend anymore he'll just say f*** it and that will be that. Maybe he comes out for the Senior US Open and Senior PGA and maybe another small handful of bigger Champions Tour events but I'd say it's highly unlikely that he -- or Phil -- become regulars.

I think the Champions Tour in 10 years will be made up mostly of the career journeymen, guys who won 2 or 3 tournaments on the PGA Tour over the course of 20 years. (Not that that changes the OP's chances of making it though).

Agreed, and not just will he have to compete with the guys from the current PGA tour, he will also have to compete with me! I spend 8 hours practicing yesterd......, no wait, last wee......, no that's not right either, last year (maybe). But what I love about golf, I can never sit around and dream of throwing a touchdown in the SuperBowl, but dang it I can dream about practicing enough to have a putt for a US Open championship.

OP, practice on, at worst you become better and enjoy the game a little more.

[TML]

fairways4life, on 11 February 2013 - 04:44 PM, said:

DZClark, on 11 February 2013 - 03:09 PM, said:

At the risk of taking this OP's original thought a different direction.....

It is said that the OP will have to compete with all the current "headline" golfers in 10 years. I wonder if that is the case. In 10 years will PMickelson have the drive and the desire to tee it up? I mean, he will have more money than he can ever spend and maybe just maybe, will want to retire to a much different life destiny. Tiger? Same thing. Not that I don't think these guys will tee it up for the occasional event, but I think that the majority of the Champion tour guys now got into golf pre-Tiger, which means pre-big money. They are not as set financially as the guys my age (40, ten years and ticking for me).

My guess is in 10 years you will not be worried about the Tiger & Phil's of the world, but the other HUNGRY current PGA/Web.com/Mini tour guys who have not made as much money but who are working VERY hard at just having a job.

Still just as hard to make, just different playing partners.

I agree. It's hard for me to picture Tiger playing the Champions Tour. I think it's more likely that when he reaches the point where he obviously can't contend anymore he'll just say f*** it and that will be that. Maybe he comes out for the Senior US Open and Senior PGA and maybe another small handful of bigger Champions Tour events but I'd say it's highly unlikely that he -- or Phil -- become regulars.

I think the Champions Tour in 10 years will be made up mostly of the career journeymen, guys who won 2 or 3 tournaments on the PGA Tour over the course of 20 years. (Not that that changes the OP's chances of making it though).

and boy, do those journeymen suck!  OP, go for it, quit your job and reach for the stars!

[russc]

TML, on 11 February 2013 - 06:09 PM, said:

fairways4life, on 11 February 2013 - 04:44 PM, said:

DZClark, on 11 February 2013 - 03:09 PM, said:

At the risk of taking this OP's original thought a different direction.....

It is said that the OP will have to compete with all the current "headline" golfers in 10 years. I wonder if that is the case. In 10 years will PMickelson have the drive and the desire to tee it up? I mean, he will have more money than he can ever spend and maybe just maybe, will want to retire to a much different life destiny. Tiger? Same thing. Not that I don't think these guys will tee it up for the occasional event, but I think that the majority of the Champion tour guys now got into golf pre-Tiger, which means pre-big money. They are not as set financially as the guys my age (40, ten years and ticking for me).

My guess is in 10 years you will not be worried about the Tiger & Phil's of the world, but the other HUNGRY current PGA/Web.com/Mini tour guys who have not made as much money but who are working VERY hard at just having a job.

Still just as hard to make, just different playing partners.

I agree. It's hard for me to picture Tiger playing the Champions Tour. I think it's more likely that when he reaches the point where he obviously can't contend anymore he'll just say f*** it and that will be that. Maybe he comes out for the Senior US Open and Senior PGA and maybe another small handful of bigger Champions Tour events but I'd say it's highly unlikely that he -- or Phil -- become regulars.

I think the Champions Tour in 10 years will be made up mostly of the career journeymen, guys who won 2 or 3 tournaments on the PGA Tour over the course of 20 years. (Not that that changes the OP's chances of making it though).

and boy, do those journeymen suck!  OP, go for it, quit your job and reach for the stars!

To tell the truth if i had multiple ten's of millions of dollars and had won some majors  ,playing on the senior tour would be a major comedown.

[e fudd]

Get better today. The chips will fall.

[keiko]

AG Blade, sorry to tell you this but you have very little chance or zero chance of doing that. I can save you many years of wasting your time.

A.G.Blade, on 07 February 2013 - 07:12 AM, said:

I'm 40 years old and a 3 hdcp, I know it sounds silly, but with 10 years of dedication, could I make it on the Champions Tours?  Just a silly retirement plan!!

[Thrillhouse]

I think you should focus on qualifying for a state am first, then finishing top ten in a state am, then qualifying for a US mid am, then seeing if you can contend in the mid am.

And if you can get to the point that you are one of the top mid am's in the country maybe you'll have a shot at qualifying for the champions tour.

But even for those guys it's a pretty big maybe.

[e fudd]

keiko, on 11 February 2013 - 06:28 PM, said:

AG Blade, sorry to tell you this but you have very little chance or zero chance of doing that. I can save you many years of wasting your time.

A.G.Blade, on 07 February 2013 - 07:12 AM, said:

I'm 40 years old and a 3 hdcp, I know it sounds silly, but with 10 years of dedication, could I make it on the Champions Tours?  Just a silly retirement plan!!

Tape Keiko's contribution to the side of your golf bag and go practice. He/She is one less golfer you have to worry about surpassing. NOBODY knows what you're capable of except you. Don't look for reassurance--just put your head down and do it. It's the journey that's important...enjoy it.

Edited by e fudd, 11 February 2013 - 06:46 PM.

[TML]

russc, on 11 February 2013 - 06:13 PM, said:

TML, on 11 February 2013 - 06:09 PM, said:

fairways4life, on 11 February 2013 - 04:44 PM, said:

DZClark, on 11 February 2013 - 03:09 PM, said:

At the risk of taking this OP's original thought a different direction.....

It is said that the OP will have to compete with all the current "headline" golfers in 10 years. I wonder if that is the case. In 10 years will PMickelson have the drive and the desire to tee it up? I mean, he will have more money than he can ever spend and maybe just maybe, will want to retire to a much different life destiny. Tiger? Same thing. Not that I don't think these guys will tee it up for the occasional event, but I think that the majority of the Champion tour guys now got into golf pre-Tiger, which means pre-big money. They are not as set financially as the guys my age (40, ten years and ticking for me).

My guess is in 10 years you will not be worried about the Tiger & Phil's of the world, but the other HUNGRY current PGA/Web.com/Mini tour guys who have not made as much money but who are working VERY hard at just having a job.

Still just as hard to make, just different playing partners.

I agree. It's hard for me to picture Tiger playing the Champions Tour. I think it's more likely that when he reaches the point where he obviously can't contend anymore he'll just say f*** it and that will be that. Maybe he comes out for the Senior US Open and Senior PGA and maybe another small handful of bigger Champions Tour events but I'd say it's highly unlikely that he -- or Phil -- become regulars.

I think the Champions Tour in 10 years will be made up mostly of the career journeymen, guys who won 2 or 3 tournaments on the PGA Tour over the course of 20 years. (Not that that changes the OP's chances of making it though).

and boy, do those journeymen suck!  OP, go for it, quit your job and reach for the stars!

To tell the truth if i had multiple ten's of millions of dollars and had won some majors  ,playing on the senior tour would be a major comedown.

Maybe that's you.

But when you have spent your life competing against the best on the PGA or Euro tour, how much effort would it take to fly in on your private jet, play 3 rds of free competitive golf, get treated like royalty and party most of the time?  When you enter say 10-15 tourneys a year, I'd never get depressed.  Especially when the alternative option is playing a casual round with 3 hacks, or playing in the couples tournament at your home club.

Edited by TML, 11 February 2013 - 10:32 PM.

[A.G.Blade]

Thrillhouse, on 11 February 2013 - 06:33 PM, said:

I think you should focus on qualifying for a state am first, then finishing top ten in a state am, then qualifying for a US mid am, then seeing if you can contend in the mid am.

And if you can get to the point that you are one of the top mid am's in the country maybe you'll have a shot at qualifying for the champions tour.

But even for those guys it's a pretty big maybe.

Thanks Thrillhouse.  I've qualified twice for my state am in 2 attempts, but have yet to make the cut.  Thats my goal is to play the final day.  I like your idea/progression.  Makes sense to me!