Inside the mind of a fringe tour pro...James Nitties interview

[isaacbm]

 

Saw this interview this morning. He summed up exactly what so many fringe tour players (myself included) go/went through at various points

during their careers.

 

Although it's inspiring that he was leading the Australian Open I wish I could report that he had a higher finish... Instead he faded away on the weekend.

 

Professional golf is really hard.

 

If you've never chased it, you have no idea what it's like to be six under through 2 rounds and miss the cut.... Or what it's like to break par 10 days in a row and not make a check... Or what it's like to finally get your card only to have THAT be the peak, and then fade away into obscurity.

 

I met James 2 years ago and he's a great player, great guy, and just generally someone you'd want to be around. I really wish him the best and hope that this weeks event can be a spring-board to getting back on the big show!

[MtlJeff]

I remember him from the big break he was on many years ago. Always seemed like a decent guy

 

Golf is such a unique sport in that you aren't playing directly against other people. So there's no way of stopping anyone from going out and doing something, it's not like Tennis where it's zero sum and someone wins and point and someone loses....So when you get so many talented guys it almost becomes luck that's a determining factor for the middle class players. I mean the Mcilroy's of the world stand out....but i've always been of the belief that you could substitute players 100-200 in the world with players 300-400 and there'd be very little gap in talent.

 

I mean Nitties mentions going out and how many times -8 doesn't even qualify for a web. com event. There's just so many guys, and a crazy run of good play mixed with luck can probably make your career, because once you get your card it's easier to keep it right?

 

I was a placekicker in football and i always found it very similar. I always said that there's probably 500+ guys who could kick in the NFL with zero difference in result to what you are seeing out there now. But only 30 guys make it....there's a lot of luck involved.

 

People don't like to talk about luck, we like to believe everything happens for a reason. Talent is huge but you see guys like him and you wonder if 1-2 breaks had gone differently what may have happened. I'm sure you also think about that Dan

[isaacbm]

I remember him from the big break he was on many years ago. Always seemed like a decent guy

 

Golf is such a unique sport in that you aren't playing directly against other people. So there's no way of stopping anyone from going out and doing something, it's not like Tennis where it's zero sum and someone wins and point and someone loses....So when you get so many talented guys it almost becomes luck that's a determining factor for the middle class players. I mean the Mcilroy's of the world stand out....but i've always been of the belief that you could substitute players 100-200 in the world with players 300-400 and there'd be very little gap in talent.

 

I mean Nitties mentions going out and how many times -8 doesn't even qualify for a web. com event. There's just so many guys, and a crazy run of good play mixed with luck can probably make your career, because once you get your card it's easier to keep it right?

 

I was a placekicker in football and i always found it very similar. I always said that there's probably 500+ guys who could kick in the NFL with zero difference in result to what you are seeing out there now. But only 30 guys make it....there's a lot of luck involved.

 

People don't like to talk about luck, we like to believe everything happens for a reason. Talent is huge but you see guys like him and you wonder if 1-2 breaks had gone differently what may have happened. I'm sure you also think about that Dan

I think the "luck" aspect comes into it more when you're a fringe player. Top 100 in the world not so much...

 

Monte has said as much in some other threads as well. Having your game peak at the right time can mean all the difference between getting a chance to prove yourself or simply making a check for a random week on some random tour. Peaking at q-school for example can make a huge difference!

 

The problem with chasing professional golf has always been that there just aren't enough spots to go around. On any given week on the PGA Tour, only 75 players get paid. Where as in the NHL for example, on any given week, 700 players get paid.

 

Last year there were only 17 rookies on the PGA Tour. There are legitimately 1000 guys around the world (and 3000 more just one step below that) that could be good enough to be one of those 17 so yes luck is relevant.

[MonteScheinblum]

There are two swings that it could be argued, had either one gone differently, I would have been a tour player.

 

1. Nike/web.com event....Back 9 Sunday with 7 holes to play and tied for the lead. Ball went right over the flag, over the green, up against a tree and lead to a double. One less club, maybe I make birdie or at least par. If I win that tournament, I'm exempt the rest of the year, going into week 3, number one on the money list. Instead, I spent the rest of the year with no status and only got in about half the events through Monday qualifying and finishing top 25.

 

2. Final stage of Q-school was at my home course. The first tee was about 1000 yards from my bed. At second stage I had a shot. Had a ball hit the flag from 165 and go in the water and again, ended with double. To my discredit, I let that put me in the tank, but if that ball is 2" one way or the other and I make birdie instead of double...who knows.

 

Point is not I would have made the Tour if not for those two shots, but my chances would have increased exponentially.

 

Weaknesses in my game like poorly timed wilderness with driver, poor wedge play, spotty success with left to right putts and poor mental approach at times, hurt my chances to make the Tour, but I was good enough in spite of that if I could have avoided a few pitfalls.

 

There are many guys that are so good, they make even if their luck is bad at the wrong time, but the vast majority are the ones that hit the pass line instead of crapping out.

[G.O.A.T]

4 or 5 under isn't enough. You need to have a 6-7 under and better its that simple.

[isaacbm]

There are two swings that it could be argued, had either one gone differently, I would have been a tour player.

 

1. Nike/web.com event....Back 9 Sunday with 7 holes to play and tied for the lead. Ball went right over the flag, over the green, up against a tree and lead to a double. One less club, maybe I make birdie or at least par. If I win that tournament, I'm exempt the rest of the year, going into week 3, number one on the money list. Instead, I spent the rest of the year with no status and only got in about half the events through Monday qualifying and finishing top 25.

 

2. Final stage of Q-school was at my home course. The first tee was about 1000 yards from my bed. At second stage I had a shot. Had a ball hit the flag from 165 and go in the water and again, ended with double. To my discredit, I let that put me in the tank, but if that ball is 2" one way or the other and I make birdie instead of double...who knows.

 

Point is not I would have made the Tour if not for those two shots, but my chances would have increased exponentially.

 

Weaknesses in my game like poorly timed wilderness with driver, poor wedge play, spotty success with left to right putts and poor mental approach at times, hurt my chances to make the Tour, but I was good enough in spite of that if I could have avoided a few pitfalls.

 

There are many guys that are so good, they make even if their luck is bad at the wrong time, but the vast majority are the ones that hit the pass line instead of crapping out.

I had a year where I shot 61 and 62 in tournaments 2 weeks in a row in October. Helped make a little money. But I wish I'd done it a month later

in second stage of Q-school where I missed by 3. Third stage was at basically my home course (PGA West) and I felt like if I could just get there, i'd have a chance. Instead I was working the range picking balls wondering what could have been...

[MonteScheinblum]

There are two swings that it could be argued, had either one gone differently, I would have been a tour player.

 

1. Nike/web.com event....Back 9 Sunday with 7 holes to play and tied for the lead. Ball went right over the flag, over the green, up against a tree and lead to a double. One less club, maybe I make birdie or at least par. If I win that tournament, I'm exempt the rest of the year, going into week 3, number one on the money list. Instead, I spent the rest of the year with no status and only got in about half the events through Monday qualifying and finishing top 25.

 

2. Final stage of Q-school was at my home course. The first tee was about 1000 yards from my bed. At second stage I had a shot. Had a ball hit the flag from 165 and go in the water and again, ended with double. To my discredit, I let that put me in the tank, but if that ball is 2" one way or the other and I make birdie instead of double...who knows.

 

Point is not I would have made the Tour if not for those two shots, but my chances would have increased exponentially.

 

Weaknesses in my game like poorly timed wilderness with driver, poor wedge play, spotty success with left to right putts and poor mental approach at times, hurt my chances to make the Tour, but I was good enough in spite of that if I could have avoided a few pitfalls.

 

There are many guys that are so good, they make even if their luck is bad at the wrong time, but the vast majority are the ones that hit the pass line instead of crapping out.

I had a year where I shot 61 and 62 in tournaments 2 weeks in a row in October. Helped make a little money. But I wish I'd done it a month later

in second stage of Q-school where I missed by 3. Third stage was at basically my home course (PGA West) and I felt like if I could just get there, i'd have a chance. Instead I was working the range picking balls wondering what could have been...

 

Had no idea you were there. I lived on 11 of the palmer from 90-99 and was a member.

[isaacbm]

There are two swings that it could be argued, had either one gone differently, I would have been a tour player.

 

1. Nike/web.com event....Back 9 Sunday with 7 holes to play and tied for the lead. Ball went right over the flag, over the green, up against a tree and lead to a double. One less club, maybe I make birdie or at least par. If I win that tournament, I'm exempt the rest of the year, going into week 3, number one on the money list. Instead, I spent the rest of the year with no status and only got in about half the events through Monday qualifying and finishing top 25.

 

2. Final stage of Q-school was at my home course. The first tee was about 1000 yards from my bed. At second stage I had a shot. Had a ball hit the flag from 165 and go in the water and again, ended with double. To my discredit, I let that put me in the tank, but if that ball is 2" one way or the other and I make birdie instead of double...who knows.

 

Point is not I would have made the Tour if not for those two shots, but my chances would have increased exponentially.

 

Weaknesses in my game like poorly timed wilderness with driver, poor wedge play, spotty success with left to right putts and poor mental approach at times, hurt my chances to make the Tour, but I was good enough in spite of that if I could have avoided a few pitfalls.

 

There are many guys that are so good, they make even if their luck is bad at the wrong time, but the vast majority are the ones that hit the pass line instead of crapping out.

I had a year where I shot 61 and 62 in tournaments 2 weeks in a row in October. Helped make a little money. But I wish I'd done it a month later

in second stage of Q-school where I missed by 3. Third stage was at basically my home course (PGA West) and I felt like if I could just get there, i'd have a chance. Instead I was working the range picking balls wondering what could have been...

 

Had no idea you were there. I lived on 11 of the palmer from 90-99 and was a member.

Yup, I worked at the Norman course from the day it opened and was working the bag room at The Stadium course during qschool 2 different years and at the Mountain/Dunes the year it was there. . Also worked at The Lakes CC a few years as well. Lived there from 93-01. We must have played in a couple skins games together at some point! I'd have 15 caddies from the Vintage come to the Norman on Monday's for a skins game almost every week. And Mags would run a skins game on your side most week too. Remember him??

 

The year I was talking about, my second stage was at Oak Valley. Loved that place.

[MattyO1984]

There are two swings that it could be argued, had either one gone differently, I would have been a tour player.

 

1. Nike/web.com event....Back 9 Sunday with 7 holes to play and tied for the lead. Ball went right over the flag, over the green, up against a tree and lead to a double. One less club, maybe I make birdie or at least par. If I win that tournament, I'm exempt the rest of the year, going into week 3, number one on the money list. Instead, I spent the rest of the year with no status and only got in about half the events through Monday qualifying and finishing top 25.

 

2. Final stage of Q-school was at my home course. The first tee was about 1000 yards from my bed. At second stage I had a shot. Had a ball hit the flag from 165 and go in the water and again, ended with double. To my discredit, I let that put me in the tank, but if that ball is 2" one way or the other and I make birdie instead of double...who knows.

 

Point is not I would have made the Tour if not for those two shots, but my chances would have increased exponentially.

 

Weaknesses in my game like poorly timed wilderness with driver, poor wedge play, spotty success with left to right putts and poor mental approach at times, hurt my chances to make the Tour, but I was good enough in spite of that if I could have avoided a few pitfalls.

 

There are many guys that are so good, they make even if their luck is bad at the wrong time, but the vast majority are the ones that hit the pass line instead of crapping out.

I had a year where I shot 61 and 62 in tournaments 2 weeks in a row in October. Helped make a little money. But I wish I'd done it a month later

in second stage of Q-school where I missed by 3. Third stage was at basically my home course (PGA West) and I felt like if I could just get there, i'd have a chance. Instead I was working the range picking balls wondering what could have been...

 

Had no idea you were there. I lived on 11 of the palmer from 90-99 and was a member.

Yup, I worked at the Norman course from the day it opened and was working the bag room at The Stadium course during qschool 2 different years and at the Mountain/Dunes the year it was there. . Also worked at The Lakes CC a few years as well. Lived there from 93-01. We must have played in a couple skins games together at some point! I'd have 15 caddies from the Vintage come to the Norman on Monday's for a skins game almost every week. And Mags would run a skins game on your side most week too. Remember him??

 

The year I was talking about, my second stage was at Oak Valley. Loved that place.

 

I read the comments made by you guys before clicking onto watch the video but I just wanted to say, it's fascinating reading about the experiences you guys had. I still find it crazy that this site attracts such a broad spectrum of poster. Hope you guys are still enjoying your golf! Look forward to seeing you on the Champions Tour :)

[Santiago Golf]

4 or 5 under isn't enough. You need to have a 6-7 under and better its that simple.

 

-16 to -20 wins a lot of PGA Tour events. If you are straight and long, just go play par 5s well and play rest holes average with major mistakes and your going to make a lot of money

[MonteScheinblum]

There are two swings that it could be argued, had either one gone differently, I would have been a tour player.

 

1. Nike/web.com event....Back 9 Sunday with 7 holes to play and tied for the lead. Ball went right over the flag, over the green, up against a tree and lead to a double. One less club, maybe I make birdie or at least par. If I win that tournament, I'm exempt the rest of the year, going into week 3, number one on the money list. Instead, I spent the rest of the year with no status and only got in about half the events through Monday qualifying and finishing top 25.

 

2. Final stage of Q-school was at my home course. The first tee was about 1000 yards from my bed. At second stage I had a shot. Had a ball hit the flag from 165 and go in the water and again, ended with double. To my discredit, I let that put me in the tank, but if that ball is 2" one way or the other and I make birdie instead of double...who knows.

 

Point is not I would have made the Tour if not for those two shots, but my chances would have increased exponentially.

 

Weaknesses in my game like poorly timed wilderness with driver, poor wedge play, spotty success with left to right putts and poor mental approach at times, hurt my chances to make the Tour, but I was good enough in spite of that if I could have avoided a few pitfalls.

 

There are many guys that are so good, they make even if their luck is bad at the wrong time, but the vast majority are the ones that hit the pass line instead of crapping out.

I had a year where I shot 61 and 62 in tournaments 2 weeks in a row in October. Helped make a little money. But I wish I'd done it a month later

in second stage of Q-school where I missed by 3. Third stage was at basically my home course (PGA West) and I felt like if I could just get there, i'd have a chance. Instead I was working the range picking balls wondering what could have been...

 

Had no idea you were there. I lived on 11 of the palmer from 90-99 and was a member.

Yup, I worked at the Norman course from the day it opened and was working the bag room at The Stadium course during qschool 2 different years and at the Mountain/Dunes the year it was there. . Also worked at The Lakes CC a few years as well. Lived there from 93-01. We must have played in a couple skins games together at some point! I'd have 15 caddies from the Vintage come to the Norman on Monday's for a skins game almost every week. And Mags would run a skins game on your side most week too. Remember him??

 

The year I was talking about, my second stage was at Oak Valley. Loved that place.

 

I hate Oak Valley...lol

 

I'm sure we crossed paths several times.

[isaacbm]

How can you hate Oak Valley?? LOL!

 

Beautiful bent greens, every hole is different from the one before, gorgeous par 3's, lots of elevation change but in a very playable way...

 

One of my favorite courses in the Inland Empire.

[puttingmatt]

Appreciate the link on the video and the topic, found the insights from responses interesting.

[MonteScheinblum]

How can you hate Oak Valley?? LOL!

 

Beautiful bent greens, every hole is different from the one before, gorgeous par 3's, lots of elevation change but in a very playable way...

 

One of my favorite courses in the Inland Empire.

 

The Fairways become half the size, or non existent where I drive the ball on most holes.

[KennyP]

The talent pool is deeper than it's ever been. Mini-tours are littered with guys who can really play.

The sad fact is that unless you have a card for either of the top two tours in the US or Europe (i.e. PGA/web.com or Euro/challenge) you are effectively playing for your own money.

[Jwin323]

How can you hate Oak Valley?? LOL!

 

Beautiful bent greens, every hole is different from the one before, gorgeous par 3's, lots of elevation change but in a very playable way...

 

One of my favorite courses in the Inland Empire.

 

I'm nowhere near a pro like you, but I agree on Oak Valley. Most underrated course in SoCal.

[rangersgoalie]

I had a lot of history at Oak Valley second stages

 

Funny how tight that place got in second stage! Especially when it inevitably started howling.

 

I had decent success there, but was never comfortable until my scores were posted.

 

I sucked at q school finals in the desert.

Played much better in the Florida and Texas finals way back when

[isaacbm]

How can you hate Oak Valley?? LOL!

 

Beautiful bent greens, every hole is different from the one before, gorgeous par 3's, lots of elevation change but in a very playable way...

 

One of my favorite courses in the Inland Empire.

 

The Fairways become half the size, or non existent where I drive the ball on most holes.

Well it's not Oakvalley's fault that you hit the ball too damn far !!

[drewtaylor21]

Thanks for posting!

 

It's unreal how deep professional golf really is these days. Isaac and Monte, you guys both identified this, but it's something I've just realized in the last year or two watching friends and acquaintances who are trying to play professionally. When you look at the guys who are #150-300 in the world or so, it's really not always the better player who ends up making it, but the guy who gets hot at the right time. You can ride a 3 week hot streak and secure your card, then shoot 71 the rest of the year and be just fine.....or you can be the James Nitties of the world who are shooting 68's at the "wrong" event or wrong time and not making any money. That would drive me insane! lol

 

There's so much more to professional golf than just playing golf....but from my perspective, it makes it that much more fun to see guys finally break through!

[MonteScheinblum]

Thanks for posting!

 

It's unreal how deep professional golf really is these days. Isaac and Monte, you guys both identified this, but it's something I've just realized in the last year or two watching friends and acquaintances who are trying to play professionally. When you look at the guys who are #150-300 in the world or so, it's really not always the better player who ends up making it, but the guy who gets hot at the right time. You can ride a 3 week hot streak and secure your card, then shoot 71 the rest of the year and be just fine.....or you can be the James Nitties of the world who are shooting 68's at the "wrong" event or wrong time and not making any money. That would drive me insane! lol

 

There's so much more to professional golf than just playing golf....but from my perspective, it makes it that much more fun to see guys finally break through!

 

So true.

 

One year I was 12th on the money list of the Nike (web.com) at the first reshuffle. Tournament 5. If I had status I wouldn't have gotten in every event the rest of the year until the Tour Championship.

 

I spent the next 10 weeks shooting 67-71 9 times on Monday and didn't make it once. That level of golf makes 7-10 cuts in that stretch.

 

Instead, I got in no events at ended up barley in the top 100 after those 10 weeks.

[Tcann32]

I remember him from the big break he was on many years ago. Always seemed like a decent guy

 

Golf is such a unique sport in that you aren't playing directly against other people. So there's no way of stopping anyone from going out and doing something, it's not like Tennis where it's zero sum and someone wins and point and someone loses....So when you get so many talented guys it almost becomes luck that's a determining factor for the middle class players. I mean the Mcilroy's of the world stand out....but i've always been of the belief that you could substitute players 100-200 in the world with players 300-400 and there'd be very little gap in talent.

 

I mean Nitties mentions going out and how many times -8 doesn't even qualify for a web. com event. There's just so many guys, and a crazy run of good play mixed with luck can probably make your career, because once you get your card it's easier to keep it right?

 

I was a placekicker in football and i always found it very similar. I always said that there's probably 500+ guys who could kick in the NFL with zero difference in result to what you are seeing out there now. But only 30 guys make it....there's a lot of luck involved.

 

People don't like to talk about luck, we like to believe everything happens for a reason. Talent is huge but you see guys like him and you wonder if 1-2 breaks had gone differently what may have happened. I'm sure you also think about that Dan

 

I think this is spot on.. I think of Hockey for instance, but many other sports are the same way, in the sense that they have farm teams of guys that are almost good enough, but there's only a few that get to make it. Of course there are the standouts, but they weren't ever playing juniors or on farm teams to begin with. Then, when these guys get called up to get a run in the big show, they get a much closer look when they were on a scoring line, or in the right place at the right time and got a good pass and sent one in.

 

I think luck is an incredible part of it.. Not so much the Rory's and the Speith's, etc.. but those guys that need to make the cut, etc.. a lot of times it was legitimately a bad bounce that sent them under the cut line. Then that bad bounce shattered their confidence and the weekend is lost. It absolutely has to be a very difficult road, especially those without full sponsors and exemptions.

[PowderedToastMan]

So many great players simply stop because of the cost. If you aren't a trust fund child and/or don't have significant financial backing, professional golf is a money pit. Q school alone will set a person back over ten grand. I can't handle the pressure of paying over a thousand dollars, including travel and accommodation, to attend a qualifier knowing I've got young kids at home (what could that $1,000 have done for them?). It literally feels like gambling sometimes. It hurts coming home, spending all that money, with ZERO to show for it.

 

Pressure isn't putting up low numbers. It's not blowing all your money and putting your family on the streets.

[Mkodzis]

So many great players simply stop because of the cost. If you aren't a trust fund child and/or don't have significant financial backing, professional golf is a money pit. Q school alone will set a person back over ten grand. I can't handle the pressure of paying over a thousand dollars, including travel and accommodation, to attend a qualifier knowing I've got young kids at home (what could that $1,000 have done for them?). It literally feels like gambling sometimes. It hurts coming home, spending all that money, with ZERO to show for it.

 

Pressure isn't putting up low numbers. It's not blowing all your money and putting your family on the streets.

I have watched a few friends deal w the financial strain and really do wonder if finances were there would they have taken the next step. I have also seen a cpl guys who had family step up for them (membership paid, travel cost paid, all expenses taken care of) blow through and waste every penny. That defines who really wants it. I am a 10hc so reading all of these posts is amazing to me. Even guys locally here have to pay $300-450 to get in a mini event for the chance to shoot 63-66 for a stab at $1500-3000 on the high side. There are obviously a cpl standouts locally who actually make money annually and they consistently post -5 or better. When I say make money I am not talking about any any expenses. I am thrilled to shoot 76-78 while guys are shooting 67-68 and costing themselves $350 for the day. Its absolutely crazy!!

[UCBananaboy]

I really enjoyed reading the insights from some of the guys here that have played on mini-tours, etc. I've always known the challenges of trying to make it on TOUR, but it is also much more real when you read first-hand experiences.

 

My background is in the poker world and there are so many parallels between golf and poker. Both are a true meritocracy. Anyone can try to work their way through Q-School, much like how anyone can pony up $10k and play in the World Series of Poker Main Event every July in Vegas. While there is undoubtedly a tremendous amount of skill in both trades, luck can really alter your career trajectory. In the example Monte gave, you could hit a GREAT shot in golf and the ball hits the flag and turns an easy birdie into a scrambling double. In poker you can be playing perfectly and get all your chips in with pocket Aces and get outdrawn. Depending on the moment, those swings can literally mean the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars which could hinder your ability to continue in the profession.

 

I could ramble on about other similarities, but I just found it so interesting how similar the two spaces are while being so different in reality (one being a physical activity and the other being more mental).

[lumberman2462]

I've been lucky to play with a lot of great players and have seen guys that made it...

 

But I think I've been more amazed at how good some of the guys I've played with truly were and couldn't make it.

 

I first met JB Holmes when he was still "John Holmes" and watched him absolutely demolish a real golf course...including hitting into my group on a par 5 when we were 360+ from the tee. You just knew he was gonna make it.

 

But then I think of the dozens of guys that I've played with in mini-tour pro-ams in Florida and I'd watch them shoot the easiest 64 you could possibly imagine and never hear from them again or catch their scores on a Web.com leaderboard and see that they'd missed the cut by 4 shots.

 

I've told this story in previous threads but maybe it needs repeating...

 

Back in the 90s when I was young and thought I could play a little there was a corporate event at my home club. Loren Roberts showed up and gave a clinic and then headed for the first tee. He'd never seen the course which was 7190 from the tips and no push-over.

 

He shot a course record 63 hitting his approach shots from 20,30 & 40 yards behind where most all of the good players at the club played from.

 

One of the better players at the club said to me, "If you believe the world rankings there are 50 some odd guys on Tour better than him"

 

It's a funny game this golf business....If someone figures it out - Please let the rest of us in on the secret.

[Mkodzis]

I really enjoyed reading the insights from some of the guys here that have played on mini-tours, etc. I've always known the challenges of trying to make it on TOUR, but it is also much more real when you read first-hand experiences.

 

My background is in the poker world and there are so many parallels between golf and poker. Both are a true meritocracy. Anyone can try to work their way through Q-School, much like how anyone can pony up $10k and play in the World Series of Poker Main Event every July in Vegas. While there is undoubtedly a tremendous amount of skill in both trades, luck can really alter your career trajectory. In the example Monte gave, you could hit a GREAT shot in golf and the ball hits the flag and turns an easy birdie into a scrambling double. In poker you can be playing perfectly and get all your chips in with pocket Aces and get outdrawn. Depending on the moment, those swings can literally mean the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars which could hinder your ability to continue in the profession.

 

I could ramble on about other similarities, but I just found it so interesting how similar the two spaces are while being so different in reality (one being a physical activity and the other being more mental).

 

Great example!!!

[MonteScheinblum]

So many great players simply stop because of the cost. If you aren't a trust fund child and/or don't have significant financial backing, professional golf is a money pit. Q school alone will set a person back over ten grand. I can't handle the pressure of paying over a thousand dollars, including travel and accommodation, to attend a qualifier knowing I've got young kids at home (what could that $1,000 have done for them?). It literally feels like gambling sometimes. It hurts coming home, spending all that money, with ZERO to show for it.

 

Pressure isn't putting up low numbers. It's not blowing all your money and putting your family on the streets.

 

Another great point. I was fortunate as a long drive champion to be making enough money that I didn't need to cash a single check and I'd still be ok. Not having to deal with that pressure made it much easier.

[UCBananaboy]

It also reminds me a lot of the constant debates we hear of whether UK could beat the 76ers or if Bama could defeat the Browns. The obvious and simple answer is NO - not even close.

 

The general public tends to grossly underestimate the number of equally (or close-to-equal) talented people out there who are just a few breaks or chances away from being a household name. They also tend to underestimate the absolute skill gap between the upper 0.1% (the guys we see on TV) and the 1%. Just because someone at your local club is regularly shooting 70 doesn't mean that he has a legitimate chance to make it on TOUR.

[naval2006]

Great post, indeed.

 

I truly believe that being a pro player and remain a pro player is a vocation call. I've known Miguel Carballo since he was a teenager. He used to be assistant pro at my course almost 20 years ago. He was 18 and wanted to be a PGA Tour player. He never ever gave up. He's come all the way to the US, has had his ups and downs (he missed PGA Tour Q-School by one shot once, with a bogey bogey finish) and he's THE journeyman but he's got the will of a tiger.

 

Golf can be the most frustrating sport, so those who get this quickly make the difference.

[MtlJeff]

It also reminds me a lot of the constant debates we hear of whether UK could beat the 76ers or if Bama could defeat the Browns. The obvious and simple answer is NO - not even close.

 

The general public tends to grossly underestimate the number of equally (or close-to-equal) talented people out there who are just a few breaks or chances away from being a household name. They also tend to underestimate the absolute skill gap between the upper 0.1% (the guys we see on TV) and the 1%. Just because someone at your local club is regularly shooting 70 doesn't mean that he has a legitimate chance to make it on TOUR.

 

I don't think it's underestimation as much as it's a desire to believe that nothing is random, and people succeed because they are better and deserve it more, because that means there's an order to things which makes people comfortable.

 

A lot of entrepreneurs in business who have done well get looked at as titans of industry and are called geniuses....certainly some are. Many would also privately tell you there were tough times early and success was never guaranteed. How many smart people made similar decisions and didn't make it? Lots....

 

I'm not saying everything is luck of course. Skill and hard work put you in position , but most people need to catch a few breaks too.

 

I think people don't like thinking about these things. It's just easier when one journeyman beats another in a playoff, to call the winner a "clutch performer" and the loser a "choker". It preserves the natural order of things that success comes always to those who deserve it