If someone had asked me a few years ago who has it tougher – a pro golfer vs. a hack, I would have said pro. Today, I might have to reconsider. I never really gave this question much thought until watching a bit of a tournament recently. To sum it up, one of the golfers interviewed complained about having a “really bad day.” And then it hit me like a ton of bricks. How bad can this guy’s day have been? I mean, really, come on.
Somebody please tell me how bad it is to be playing golf professionally. I’m missing something here. Last time I checked it is very rare to actually like what you do, never mind getting paid out the backside to do so. Looking deeper into this, there are some key points that have been overlooked.
So, who has it tougher out there on the course? In order to answer this I feel we should start with the days leading up to the round. In a pro’s world, they prepare for their next round by…playing golf…because that’s what they do. And this is not to mention how much help pros get while their playing.
A hack’s preparation for an upcoming round is usually a full week’s worth of work at a job they hate so they can pay for the round. Couple that with some ball-breaking on the home front and toss in the stresses of being a middle class working stiff. Now, who’s ready for some golf?
Let’s look at what goes down during the actual round of golf. The pro is met with all types of fanfare. Their bags and what-not are tended to immediately. Not to mention their accommodations aren’t too shabby either. It is an overall warm welcome.
Now, the hack on the other hand is met with a starter that is so old and confused he has to double check your receipt because he thought you already teed off…and it’s 7:00 AM (plus the stench of that half smoked cigar he’s been chewing on for three days doesn’t help). You wait all week for this round and end up pissing yourself off because you got a snowman on the second hole…and it’s a par 3. You see where I’m going.
The point is the average hack, in my opinion, has it harder. I’m not saying the pro is privileged or special, they worked hard to get where they are. All I’m saying is that if you are in a position where your work is playing golf and you’re making a lot of money, don’t complain about having a bad day. YOU ARE PLAYING GOLF…FOR MONEY.
Hit’em long…yell FORE!!!
Pete
Interesting post. I agree that an amateur may have a more difficult time, but a professional golfer does have other pressures that we may not. I realize they are playing golf for a living and that is very appealing to most of us, but travelling all the time and being away from your family will have a toll. Ultimately, any day on the course is a good day whether you are a pro or not.
Cheers
The Grateful Golfer