My Golf Performance

Camilo Villegas, originally uploaded by Roozbeh Rokni Photography.

Every fall, there is about 1,000 players that try to play on the PGA Tour.  Only 3% make it.   PGA Tour Qualifying School is one of the hardest, most rewarding tournaments of all time and if lucky, you are on TV playing against Tiger Woods.  It starts this week and the drama on TV will be intense.

Crazy things happen at Q School: players fall off greens into lakes, balls jump out of the hole, and one shot makes the difference between teeing it up in Hawaii, or a mini tour event in the middle of Nowhere.

My own lack of success at Q-School pretty much told me if I was going on tour, I wouldn't be playing.   In fact my best chance to make it was probably as a coach or caddie for someone else .  This year, my player Ben McCaslin,  played through the second stage.  After firing a career best -15 at the first stage, Ben struggled his way to +4 at second stage missing the number by 7 shots.  In the end, I really enjoyed having the chance to help him.  Even by the back nine of the last round, I was convinced if we could get to even with three to play, there would be a chance.  The last three holes were imminent birdies.   Now that I've had some time to reminisce here are a few of my observations:

The Difference

There is an unbelievable difference between a weekend player and an inspired professional and it's not what you think.  Professionals are really, really, really good and the way they practice is night and day compared to Joe Public.  The difference to me is that professionals filter everything they know about mechanics and playing to only a few things they can control.   Joe Public trys everything from swing to swing.  The amateur player is infinitely more curious about trying new drills, swings, etc. than the professional. 

Putting, Putting, Putting

Regardless of how well you hit the ball, if you can figure out how to putt only 26 times per round, you are going places.  Here's the difference between a professional and an amateur: professionals know which courses, which grass, and which condition they usually putt well.  Amateurs don't even think about it and instead worry about their mechanics or buying a new putter.  Professionals know where they have had success such as bent grass versus bermuda, tiered greens versus rolling greens, southern versus northern, eastern or western, etc.  By the time players become professional they have the opportunity to pick and choose where to play.  Mini tours in Florida are all bermuda while mini tours in California or Arizona are bentgrass or poa annua.  In our case, my player scorched bentgrass greens in the first stage on his way to a career low -15.  He then struggled on bermuda in Houston on his way to +4.  Maybe if he choose to play in California, things could have been different. 

Personalities

There are really good guys on tour and the mini tours and... there are some not good guys.  The funny thing is that both make it on tour.  All I can say is that some players are there to have fun, be with their friends, and play well.  Some players have zero friends, don't care, and play well.  It was interesting to watch how the players interacted before, during, and after the round.  Some players had fun regardless of what they shot.  Some players are just focused on themselves and what they need to do.  The main point I'm trying to say:  there are many ways to do it, but shouldn't the whole process be fun?   Why end the day with someone wanting to kick your a$$ off the course?  Think about the other players not there.  The other players would give anything to be there trying for their card.  Bottom line: I think that some players appreciate their opportunity more than others.

Technology

BlueGolf and the local PGA sections do a tremendous job of running the Tour's qualifying process.  The BlueGolf technology is fantastic.  Anyone interested can see stats, pairings via email, etc.  I just wonder when technology will actually be used by players during the event.  I don't think there's any problem using the BlueGolf devices to record scores during the round.  Why not provide real time live action like they do on Tour with volunteers?  Instead of using scorecards, wouldn't it be more efficient for players to use some sort of Blackberry device to record scores? Then still double check scores at the end of the round? The NFL uses instant replay and communication in the helmets.  The NBA uses the lights on the backboard to determine last second shots and shot clock violations.  When will golf use technology such as yardage devices and scoring devices to make tournaments more efficient?

Pace of Play

Pace of play at these events is just terrible.  Players are excited to play a threesome in five hours.  I certainly understand the importance of each shot, but why not play with a little more urgency?  These are pros that rarely hit shots out of play so I know they aren't in the woods looking for balls.  What is taking so long?  Wouldn't it be funny to have a whistle toting NFL referee, wearing black and white, responsible for each player's "shot clock?"  These refs aren't working during the prime golf season so it would be a tremendous opportunity to have another career.  On TV we would see a shot clock graphic hovering over the player.   Nick Faldo in the booth:  "Stricker has 8 seconds to pull this shot off...can he get it...YES!... and it's in the bunker!" 

What "It" Takes

In order to make it on tour, you just have to be really, really, really good especially at the right time.  Luck has a little to do with your success but in the end, you have to take advantage of opportunity and cover up any mistake.   There are many players who have won on tour and subsequently lost their cards.  There are mini tour players that shoot -20 every other week sitting at home now, wondering, if they can survive another year leading up to Q School. 

I've been there and don't envy them.

But the reward is so great.