What is it like being a pro?

I have been a member of the Professional Golfers Association since 2016 and thought it was time to share my thoughts on what life is like in the profession.

First of all, I consider being a PGA professional to be a real honour as it allows one the privilege of not only earning money from teaching the game but from playing it as well.

I have always really enjoyed giving lessons. The game is my main passion anyway so teaching it to someone else is a source of pleasure. The best thing is seeing the improvements at the end of the lesson and the satisfaction of someone reporting back that your lesson has helped them reduce their scores or play well in a particular club competition. As I have always loved working on my own game, I know how satisfying improving is and therefore having the chance to help someone enjoy their own leisure time more is rewarding.

I have always enjoyed playing the game too and competing in events for PGA pros and on other mini tours.

The competing side of the game can be a double-edged sword. There is without doubt no better feeling than playing well in an event and getting a good result. That feeling of getting the final tee shot away, finishing off rounds after a good start and holing the final putt for the good score is why I play the game and why I still practice as much as I do. Being able to sit in the clubhouse afterwards with nice drink, certain that you will be compensated that day for your efforts, is incredibly satisfying and being paid real money to play golf around a beautiful golf course is the ultimate privilege.

However, there is also another side to competing. I have found the whole process increasingly stressful, and generally you are always counting down until the next event and in my case worrying about the state of my game and how I am going to play. Failure is inevitable and the feeling of playing poorly when you’ve worked so hard in the build up can be very discouraging.

I have found it helpful to stop comparing myself to better players, or ‘trying to get to the next level’ and focus more on enjoying the game, developing some gratitude for being able to play in the first place, as well as gratitude for any successes I have.

Lastly, it can be a real pleasure working at a golf club and getting to know all of its members. I am fortunate to work at Oxford GC where everyone is so friendly and supportive and down to earth so being there really doesn’t feel like work at all. Lots of the members have had highly successful careers in interesting areas which is always fun to find out about. A lot of the time they are the most avid golfers of the lot!

All in all being a PGA Professional is a really enjoyable career and one which I feel very lucky to have chosen.