tournament experience which is much like the
professional ranks without having to go it alone.
Those who forego college must manage the
financial and strategic requirements of improving
enough to qualify for a professional tour on their
own. At this stage in the learning process, the
costs and logistics can be daunting. In 2018,
competing on a developmental tour such as the
Web.Com Tour costs at a minimum $75,000 per
year and the PGA Tour about $110,000. Add to
this the need to organize travel, room and board,
hiring a caddy and coaches, tour memberships
and tournament qualifying and registrations,
and it becomes a massive undertaking for the
individual. In college, the young golfer gains
quality instruction, physical and mental training,
thousands of hours of practice and the afore
mentioned competitive experience without the
same burdens.
The second positive aspect of playing golf in
college is gaining a quality academic degree. This
will provide great options for life beyond the golf
course and often also helps with the pursuit itself.
Many who take the college route earn degrees
that help manage the various aspects of making
the way to the pro ranks.
Simply said, the college path to professional
golf delivers excellent return on investment.
Making it on Tour: Avoiding Potholes
Making the move into the professional world is a
learning process just like junior and collegiate golf
and it requires patience and mental toughness.
The PGA’s qualifying school, or “Q-School,” used
to be a direct path to the premier level, but, since
2013, has become an entryway to the Web.com
tour which is the developmental arena for the
PGA Tour. IJGA’s Richy Werenski earned his way
onto the PGA Tour this way. The LPGA qualifying
school is more like the traditional format featuring
escalating qualifying tournaments. IJGA alumna
Stephanie Meadow won her LPGA Tour card via
the Final Qualifying Tournament. The vast majority
of golfers will require significant seasoning to be
ready for this step.
Obviously the ultimate goal is playing on the PGA
or LPGA Tour, but most everyone entering the pro
circuit will start in more humble venues. The first
professional tier features various mini-tours that
host events around the country that require entry
fees and offer modest prize money. At this level
only the most successful players will win enough
to do more than cover their expenses, so the
emphasis is on gaining experience and moving
up to a higher tour.
As professional golf has continued to expand
over the last thirty years, more of these develop-
mental tours have emerged to accommodate t