The Misunderstood Golf Professional

Other than magician, I don’t think there’s an occupation more misunderstood than that of the golf professional. “Do you know Tiger Woods” No. “Will I see you on TV someday?” No. “Are you rich?” No. “Do you just play golf all day?” I wish! I’ve been asked each of those questions about a thousand times. And honestly, the fact that I used to perceive being a golf pro as somewhat glamorous is one of the reasons I chose the profession. But perception, in this case, isn’t always reality. Here are a few questions I’ve never been asked as a golf pro, but they are much more realistic: “Have you had a day off from Memorial Day to Labor Day in the last decade?” No. “Have you seen your wife or daughters this week?” No. “Is it true that you have the worst-looking yard on your block?’ Absolutely! “How was the Fourth of July parade last year?” Parade? What parade? When you hear the term golf professional, an image of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, or Annika Sorenstam comes to mind I’ll bet. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Tiger Woods doesn’t have the training to do what a golf pro does. Fortunately for him, he doesn’t need it. He’s such a talented golfer, he can translate his playing ability into millions – and soon billions – of dollars, and won’t ever need to take a turn behind the counter at the local club. Don’t get me wrong – golf pros like me are good players, too. We’ve all had to be to become PGA members. In fact, we’re required to be among the best 0.01 percent of all golfers in the world! That’s why most club pros ended up in the profession. But on the PGA Tour, there’s only room for approximately 150 players. Quadruple that number to factor in the other worldwide professional tours where a player can make a living – and it’s still a miniscule number of golfers who can support themselves (and a family) by playing this game full time. Golf pros, like cowboys, drink their coffee black. Most manage the staff at their golf facility. They create, promote, and run all the tournaments, leagues, clinics, camps, lessons, and associated social activities. Most golf pros buy, sell, ship, receive, and neatly display merchandise. Golf pros are greeter, host, rules expert, handicap manager, event promoter, staff manager, fashionista, teacher, coach, maintenance man, janitor, lackey, accountant, food and beverage manager, chef, bartender, pit boss, counselor, player, and all-around hail fellow well met. Golf pros come in all ages, genders, shapes, and sizes, but they share the same training. As I mentioned in a previous post, the PGA requires that we pass its PAT, a rigorous training and education program (which takes between two and six years) and have a minimum of two years’ work experience to be elected to membership. We learn skills to manage a successful small business, as well as specifics of the game such as teaching, tournament operations, and The Rules of Golf. At times it can be supremely rewarding. But it’s a brutal profession with an exhausting schedule and insane demands.