Where do you go if you want to develop your golf skill?

[NPTGolf]

Okay...I am a "newbie" to golf...but I have heard a lot of people fussing about how the pros don't care about developing new golfers (and of course those "belly putters"...but that's another discussion!).

This doesn't seem entirely true to me. While the PGA is trying to expanding in Canada and Latin America, they have not chosen to do this here, in the good old USA. Why is that? Well, I think they feel that golfers have those opportunities already...they may not be great opportunities...but that's about to change!

 

Have you heard about the new National Pro Tour (NPT)? They are changing the way development golf is done in the US! They are looking to unite all golfers looking to develop their skills to reach their golfing goals! This means, lower registration fees, higher purse payouts, a CHOICE of a West or EAST tour (thus decreasing the personal cost of travel to play) and national tournaments!

 

The early registration for the NPT's 2013 season is now open! Don't delay in getting signed up for the tour that is being built by our players, for our players. The first 500 players to register will have exempt tour status and guaranteed entry into 14 tournaments in either the East or the West tour! Sign up now because the ability to select your tour will be determined by order of registration and the earlier you sign up, the less you pay! Take your golf career into your hands and visit www.YourGolfCareer.com now for more information and to sign up.

 

Respond back...I'd really like to get a discussion going about Development Golf and what everyone really thinks about it!

[GolfSpy WD]

I would love to, but there's no way I can justify the time or money necessary. One of the reasons I'm so desperate to get better is I want to compete in tournaments some day.

[NPTGolf]

I would love to, but there's no way I can justify the time or money necessary. One of the reasons I'm so desperate to get better is I want to compete in tournaments some day.

I hear you! It is a commitment, but if it's something you want to do....sometimes you got to take the leap!

Did you know the new owners both have families and share the dream of making it to the pros some day too? Check out the website ( www.yourgolfcareer.com )and give them a call if you want to talk to someone and see if you really could make it work. Worth a try!

[jayhawker]

I would love to, but there's no way I can justify the time or money necessary. One of the reasons I'm so desperate to get better is I want to compete in tournaments some day.

Agreed. I have several goals for when I "Grow Up", such as graduate college, get a nice job, and I most definitely want to have my own parking spot because I'm the club champion. To achieve these, I am working hard at school, and of course, working very hard at golf so that some day I will have a parking spot of my own.

[nvgolfdude]

OK, I am totally supportive of people pursuing their dreams. I have been down this road... nearly 30 years ago. I played college golf, managed to be an all-american in my junior year and believed I had a shot. Then I went to the Ryder Cup. What I saw there was players with more talent in their little finger than I ever had the potential to develop. That was eye-opening and life altering. Following that I knew that I would never play professional golf, and I had always known that I would never be happy as a club professional. I turned my attention and effort to developing a business career and changing golf from my vocation to my avocation. Now, nearly 30 years later I know I did the right thing. I've been successful in business and I still play competitive golf, for fun of course. In 2009 I won my club championship and enjoyed the parking spot privilege for a year. I admire golfers who have the courage and commitment to pursue their dream. I wish you the best in pursuing yours. Keep us posted.

 

 

If you want some perspective on what it takes, I suggest reading the book Paper Tiger by Tom Coyne.

[NPTGolf]

Agreed. I have several goals for when I "Grow Up", such as graduate college, get a nice job, and I most definitely want to have my own parking spot because I'm the club champion. To achieve these, I am working hard at school, and of course, working very hard at golf so that some day I will have a parking spot of my own.

To a fellow mid-westner (I am from Missouri myself, and yes, am a KU fan...not MU)- those are great goals! Keep with them! While I am supportive of people pursuing their dreams as well, you can't get anywhere without completing their "process goals" the smaller goals you need to complete to get to your overall goal. Good luck and keep doing what your doing!

[Ice]

Agreed. I have several goals for when I "Grow Up", such as graduate college, get a nice job, and I most definitely want to have my own parking spot because I'm the club champion. To achieve these, I am working hard at school, and of course, working very hard at golf so that some day I will have a parking spot of my own.

 

Not just any parking spot. How about a parking spot where your Bentley can sit nicely next to Tiger's at Isleworth.

[NPTGolf]

Wait a second, please. You're a "newbie" to golf, and you're involved in getting a tour up and running?

 

Is this a business/consulting engagement, project, etc.?

 

I mean, guys don't normally pick up the game and then decide, "hey, we need a sevelopmental tour. I think I'll go start one."

 

Most guys are just concerned with keepin it outa the woods & minimizing the skymarks on their new drivers.

 

A little history here, please?

 

I'm one of the more curiouser members

 

Fairways & Greens 4ever

History? Well, you are sort of right. I am working at a golf tour. No, I didn't start it, just work for one. But I find that I have a LOT to learn about golf to get better at my job, so I figured since going out and trying to learn to play the game may not be available to me (plus I wonder if I could do very well at it....my mini golf game is kind of sad <_ i could find out more about golf on discussion boards>

So....the long answer is I am not a golfer, but am wanting to learn about it (hence I am a newbie). I also am curious how many people know about min tours...since I hadn't really known much about golf beyond Tiger Woods, The PGA and the (formerly known as) Phoenix Open (since I live in the Phoenix area).

I hope that gives you a better understanding of me! :)

[Blade]

Thank you very much for the background/history on yourself. It just makes it easier if, at least for myself, I know your experience level, competency level, goals, etc. Just as if someone asked me golf swing/playing questions, I would want to ascertain their background, their skill level(hdcp) & their goals.

 

One of my businesses is a consulting firm, so I tend to get right to the point. Saves me time & my clients money. You most definitely are in the right area to gain knowledge about the game, as there are an unbelievable group of members, from class A Pros, to a womens' Tour player to amateurs, from your higher hdcers on down to your lower cap players.

 

And the one thing that I can say, is they are a top class group of individuals. They will take the time to answer any and all questions that you might have. The greatest attribute and common thread that you will find, and I don't care if it's Golf Spy X, T , Dave, Matt or Tim or if it's RookieBlue, JMiller, RoverRick or WD, there are no airs. No bullsh*t. They'll take the time and answer your questions honestly and pasionately.

 

Ya might have to move around the forum and jump in some other threads, and I understand what your asking, though I will say that the answer is #1, not black and white, and #2, not a simple yes/no or "gimme your thoughts please," or an answer that can be highlighted with five bullet-points. It just depends on the quality, breadth & depth of knowledge that you desire. Whatever the degree or quality, you can most definitely get it at MGS. And they won't sensor or edit your questions or comments here. That's unheard of in the golf blog world. They actually treat you as an adult, and they've found that the members respond in kind. We sorta police ourselves, when & where appropriate.

 

Again, thanks for taking the time to respond to my post.

 

The very best to you in your journey

 

My Best,

Richard

 

 

Fairways & Greens 4ever

Good comment Richard.

[GolfSpy WD]

Though, this is not to say that there isn't a need(market) for a tour "feeding" into the Web.com Tour. A tour similar to what you've mentioned here. Obviously, I haven't done a feasibility study on it, and I hope that you or your powers that be have, and certainly not the guy that sent ya on here with a non-existant issue. If it was, I'd redo the study.

 

I mean, if you're lookin to do for aspiring pro what the Golf Channel does with their amateur "tour," well, again, you'd have to see what the supply/demand for it is. So I've brought up two directions that could possibly be fruitful, though I'm really flyin blind here based in the non-issue that I started this post on.

 

Very well said Richard. I simply don't have the business credentials to offer this sort of advice, but my first impression is the Hooter's Tour and Am Tour have pretty much covered this gap.

 

 

Again, I hope it's helpful. But as far as tellin guys to "follow their dreams," bear in mind that you're talkin to middle aged white guys with a job, a family and a 12+ hdcp. LOL. I mean I'm one if the most most positive people that you'll ever talk to, because I have never, ever seen a great achievement accomplished with negative thoughts, however being realistic is critical.

 

What are you saying here?

 

Seriously though, the original question was "Where do you go if you want to develop your golf skill?" and not "Where do you go if you want to make it to the PGA Tour?" I want #1 and have no desire for #2.

[GolfSpy WD]

WD, actually what I was reaponding to was his advice to you that "if it is something that you want to do...sometimes ya gotta take the leap."

 

Bro, could you see if you came home and told your lovely wife that ya wanted to dedicate that next year ta two to getting to plus, then takin a shot at your lifelong dream of playin on Sunday in the foursome behind Tiger & Rory.

 

The only leap you'd be takin is through the front door as she chases your delusional ass through the house..LMAO

 

 

 

Fairways & Greens 4ever

 

Haha, I know. I was feigning being insulted. I an delusional about my skill just not that delusional.

[NPTGolf]

WD, actually what I was responding to was his advice to you that "if it is something that you want to do...sometimes ya gotta take the leap."

 

Bro, could you see if you came home and told your lovely wife that ya wanted to dedicate that next year ta two to getting to plus, then takin a shot at your lifelong dream of playin on Sunday in the foursome behind Tiger & Rory.

 

The only leap you'd be takin is through the front door as she chases your delusional ass through the house..LMAO

 

 

 

Fairways & Greens 4ever

Hmmmm...maybe this is the "newbie" thought process , but I have met hundreds of guys who play in the development tours, for money. So that is how they offer some support (mind you....that couldn't support a family of 4 or more on it's own...thus far) to their family. And if that's something that you can do and succeed at...my hat is off to you. I am personally not "sport gifted" so I have always admired anyone with enough drive and talent to succeed at sports- on any level!

 

I have always lived my life with a saying "Be Happy". It drives my husband crazy...but oh well! As a wife (yes, I am a woman... interesting how everyone is assuming I am a guy ), mother, and full time family supporter (meaning I have always worked full time, with the exception of maternity leave)- there is one thing I have learned...if you aren't happy- it shows & affects your loved ones.

 

Some people are lucky enough that they have a dream, and a smaller amount of responsibilities that allow them to pursue their dream (maybe not married yet or no kids, maybe have expendable income, or maybe they are just WAY better at budgeting than my husband and I ever were) but if they have that thought that maybe they can do it....why not try? Then you don't have to have those thoughts of "what if" as time goes on. Of course....this is only to those who have not already been there, tried (like NVgolfdude and did very well and has a firm grasp on what could or could not have been for him) and I do agree with R.P. Jacobs: you do need to plan, but sometimes...just sometimes....reality is not as black and white/can and can't as everyone thinks. Just my opinion though. And the opinion comes from the eternal optimist in me.

[NPTGolf]

First, being a female/male would not change anything that I have said. For what it's worth, two females, one being a partner, are my right and left hands in my business and either one could & does walk through, over and around any male that I or they encounter. Plus, and I say this seriously, where I have edges, they are smooth as glass. You can't teach or learn that. I do agree on the optimist part of your post. To get to the top level in any arena, be it academia, business or sports, to name but a few, you have to have an unbelievable amount of optimism.

 

I don't want to blur the lines regarding the developmental tour being one area and guys/girls chasin dreams bein the other. Regarding dreams, in another life I am a past four-time Club Champion and this past year won a prestigious 5 club Match Play Championship with two of the three players that I beat being plus players(one a former 2 time college All-American & he had one year on the Tour) & the third is a scratch. As I am 52yo, I would be lying if I said that dreams of teeing it up in a Champions Tour event hasn't danced through my head.

 

And that is where they will stay. Though I am not married, I have two companies and a total of 24 employees who depend on me making sound, prudent decisions. In addition, as NVGolfDude stated, and even though I beat this former Tour player on that day, it was match play, which favors(in my mind at least..lol) the "weaker" player, and it also favors the mentally stronger, which is probably my greatest strength on a golf course. Medal(stroke) play favors the better golfer.

 

Though as NVGD saw at the Cup, and I saw this day against this player and the many times that we have played before, he can do things with a golf ball that I can't even fantasize about doing. Seriously. Like the guys you talk to on the developmental tours. If you, and I am talking about you, lined up one of the guys that you spoke to on the developmental tours on every other mat on a range and in between them you put, say, a PGA Tour player, and you didn't know who was who and you walked up and down the line watching them hit balls, and you didn't know who was who, it would be virtually impossible to tell one from the other.

 

One is livin the dream, while the other is bustin his ass to make his dream come true. The difference? Mentally. Up Stairs. As Bob Jones so eloquently stated, "The game is played on that two inch course between your ears." Someone else said that the game is 90% mental, and the other 10% is in your head. So at the level that you are working with, with the exceptions of a few phenoms, this is what seperates many of the pros that "make it" from the ones that don't.

 

Moving into the developmental tour business arena, as WD stated, there are myriad other smaller, regional if you will, tours around the country, with the Hooters Tour(for obvious reasons..lol) being probably the most familiar, though again, they are regional, fragmented & isolated and there is really no tour underneath the Web.com tour that is run similar to the PGA & Web.com. Let's face it, if you're gonna go national, from a logistical standpoint, they've done it & done it well, so there's no need in wasting money trying to reinvent a wheel that at the end of the day can't be reinvented.

 

If you're gonna start on a regional level, to get the model up and running, generate capital for future expansion & basically work out the kinks that always, regardless of how great the model or planning is, are going to crop up, then you can look at models such as Hooters for a broad stroke template.

 

There are a few pros in the forum, and you could go to "Ask The Pro" thread in the University section, and though it's normally used for golf instruction questions, these guys are class acts, and they'd be more than happy to answere any questions that you might have.

 

And finally, regarding a "newbie" thought process, I have found the there is no such thing. People's thought processes tend to be the same whether they are a "newbie" or an established authority, it's just the knowledge base that is different

 

And please, call me Richard. Though I use RP as my Username, only my father calls me that, and then, only when he's pissed at me

 

Thanx a lot for responding

 

You did it like a Pro, not a "newbie"

 

 

Don't be a stranger

 

 

Fairways & Greens 4ever

Thanks! I was glad to not only get a response, but some perspective and a conversation!