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Being a Tour Player

TC

TC

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Taking money out of the equation, I find myself wondering what aspects of a Tour lifestyle would be the most interesting or the coolest aspects to me. Clearly there are some incredible components to being a Tour player and I think I will rank mine in order from favorite to least favorite (honestly, can there be a least favorite component?)

1. Equipment

To be sponsored would be amazing! Having the latest and greatest equipment at my finger tips would be unreal. Obviously, we all love equipment, that's what we spend the bulk of our time discussing and it would just be phenomenal to have a bag full of the latest and greatest from whoever wants you or if you're good enough, whoever you want.

2. Fitting/Tech

All the equipment you could ask for is one thing but to be able to have it completely fit to you, would be even better. And better than that, being able to walk into your respective OEM's Tour Van to pick the brain of a specialist or to have something altered on a whim would be killer.

It would also be sweet to be able to have input on the future products coming out. I'd like that a lot.

3. The Attire

Obviously, this aspect would be fantastic. To be able to have an abundant supply of attire that not only is good looking, but super functional. I think that the attire would be just as important as the equipment. You always play better when you look better.

4. The Competition

Playing competitively just gets the juices flowing for many golfers. I know that I certainly enjoy it when there's something on the line, even if it's just bragging rights. I love it when golf counts for something. I do enjoy myself though, so that's the most important part.

What aspect of being a Tour Player would you enjoy the most? Sound off!
 
All of those are great points TC. I'm not sure if I could choose one over the other. However another part of the lifestyle I'd like to add is travel and be in different areas of the world I've never been.. I've never done a lot of travel. Something I regret a little. I'd miss my family but it's something I really want to do.
 
I think mine would be

1)The Courses
2)The Equipment (including fittings)
3)The Competition
4)The Attire
 
I would enjoy the travelling the most. They get to go to some of the most beautiful places in the world.
 
Id would have to go with..

Equipment
fitting/tech
travel
Competition

Basically same reasons as your for the ones I listed the same.

Traveling- Getting to play at top golf courses all over the world and seeing everything would be awesome!


edit: Well dang, to slow on the travel part.
 
All that stuff is great, but I think it would be a lot more fun as a single guy. At least from the stories my uncle told me about, it sounded like a blast. Then again, maybe that's why he wasn't as successful out there, partaking in too much extracurricular escapades.

Seriously though, just being a a golf nut, I think your list is great TC. Think about it though, you'd be getting paid to play a game, I don't think it could get much better.
 
Good stuff TC.

Another great aspect is playing the greatest courses in the world....for free.

My favorite thing would probably be taking part in all the free events the players get to take part in during tournament week from M-W, that sponsor's usually cover (guided fishing trips, nba games, etc).
 
Great topic!

My favorite thing about being a Tour player would be that everyday you get to play the game you love for a living. Sure it can become a bit of a grind but they've all grown up loving the game and to be able to do it every single day of your life and make a very comfortable living at it would be by far the best part in my mind.

2. The competition
3. The travel and weather
4. The equipment and attire both go hand in hand to me.
 
To those saying "playing the game for a living", doesnt that go against the OP. Where he said take money out of it? Just my thoughts anyway. For me I agree with TC's list.

To be a part of a staff and test the latest and greatest. 14 club deals, apparel scripting, fitting, and competition are all things that I think I would like.
 
Travel would definitely be up there for me. Equipment and fitting is awesome too.
 
It would have to be the opportunity to play the exclusive courses. I know that playing different courses, and meeting different people are absolutely the best part of golf to this hacker.
 
I actually think that travelling would be the worst part. In fact, I'm surprised it's such a poplular aspect. I mean, maybe you all should join some travel forum, lol. The free gear, the constant optimization of it, the attention from industry leaders and specialists far outweighs the headaches of travelling.
 
When (aim for the stars...) I get there, I'll probably have trouble focusing on the competition at first, at least on the days before tournaments. The stuff mentioned by others would probably be a big distraction (whilst obviously useful and a necessity at the same time) if I'm not careful. It's easy to get swept up by it but I imagine things settle down quite fast. After all, nobody on any tour wants to come off as a deer-in-headlights-rookie early in their career. You want respect and all that stuff from your peers, so "act as if it's just another day at the office" would probably be the first thing on my mind.
 
I think I would enjoy the ability to play that good. I would love to be able to work the ball like Bubba or hit it as far as Dustin! That would be so awesome to have that kind of skill. I think it would also be great to go to "work" at the range or course for the day.
 
TC said:
I actually think that travelling would be the worst part. In fact, I'm surprised it's such a poplular aspect. I mean, maybe you all should join some travel forum, lol. The free gear, the constant optimization of it, the attention from industry leaders and specialists far outweighs the headaches of travelling.
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Not as much so when you are flying in private jets. :wink:
 
biggsy said:
Not as much so when you are flying in private jets. :wink:
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They all have private jets? huh ...

I know you bro, you'd be in that tour van or on that range all the time. You're an equipment junky at heart.
 
1. I agree that equipment has to be the coolest part of being a pro. It has be cool to be a part of testing new stuff and being part of R&D. My ex's brother is married to the daughter of Bruce Summerhays and so I got to see a little part of this. He told me that he would find stuff at his locker in hopes that he might put the new TM, Callaway or whoever's equipment in play. Visiting his house he had all kinds of stuff that he won at tournaments too.

2. Clothing / Sponsorships would be next. The latest golf clothing and getting it gratis? Sign me up! Just dont dress me like Fowler.

3. I think the competition and friendships would be next. Getting to know and play with the worlds top golfers and make fun of them being ranked #12... #1 keeps missing cuts? Yeah hed be getting some good twitter ribbing.

4. Golf Courses. How about playing the top course in the world.

Personally I think the travel would be a negative as its more of a pain then anything else and wears on you.
 
OEM Kevin said:
1. I agree that equipment has to be the coolest part of being a pro. It has be cool to be a part of testing new stuff and being part of R&D. My ex's brother is married to the daughter of Bruce Summerhays and so I got to see a little part of this. He told me that he would find stuff at his locker in hopes that he might put the new TM, Callaway or whoever's equipment in play. Visiting his house he had all kinds of stuff that he won at tournaments too.

2. Clothing / Sponsorships would be next. The latest golf clothing and getting it gratis? Sign me up! Just dont dress me like Fowler.

3. I think the competition and friendships would be next. Getting to know and play with the worlds top golfers and make fun of them being ranked #12... #1 keeps missing cuts? Yeah hed be getting some good twitter ribbing.

4. Golf Courses. How about playing the top course in the world.

Personally I think the travel would be a negative as its more of a pain then anything else and wears on you.
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that was my number 1!
 
TC said:
They all have private jets? huh ...

I know you bro, you'd be in that tour van or on that range all the time. You're an equipment junky at heart.
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Of course not. If you were out there however, I know you'd be one of the more successful ones to have that jet perk.

You know I would. I try and talk equipment with my uncle and he could care less. Some people just don't care, others just want to tinker with equipment. I'd want to tinker and then get out and test it.
 
Good list, TC. I'd also like the travel. Sure, after a while it could wear on you (even in your own G6) and I would enjoy the"lifestyle" more if I were single. Another that would be cool is the variety of people you meet from all walks of life. Sure you'd have to be more careful with your dealings but the stories that come from that would be something that's life changing. Last thing is just the ability from whatever celebrity or money you earned to have the chance to be able to do good for people less fortunate.
 
Equipment: Clubs made exactly to my specs and being fitted for all the new stuff coming out. Great to first to test protos of clubs, shafts, and balls to get my feedback on likes/dislikes of the product. Hopefully I could be high enough on food chain to not have to wait for lefty stuff to be made.

Attire: I would be like a kid in a candy store. People that deal with Myjoys for tour players probably would get tired of me calling and having shoes made. They would probably have to limit me to a # of pairs a year I could order. I would certainly give Poulter a run for his money! Clothing... I need a room in my house just for me. Walk-in closet with with several shoe racks and space to store clothes and hang outfits. Belts and buckles would have their own section too. Man I could only dream!!

I think the best part would be the travel and getting to play all the awesome courses during peak playing times. They very rarely have to worry about the greens, burnt courses, or if its being aerated lately. Tour players are playing when that week its supposed to be most perfect time to play it and its setup just for that. I've been to tour events then went back to see the course and even played some & it's a world of difference in the condition between the two.
 
I'd like to throw another one in there. For me it would be the media. Being featured on TV, being on the Konica Minolta Bizhub Swing Vision, having stories about me, having a huge gallery. For me right now because I am not famous or anything would be the fame. Commercial spots, etc.
 
Just to add to what everyone else is echoing... camaraderie... hanging out with the guys. Grabbing dinner after the round, hanging out around the practice range. You can't tell me hanging out with Rocco wouldn't be a good reason to be a touring pro.
 
I'm going to play a bit of devil's advocate here (mainly to spark discussion)...the same positives you are referring to may very well also be negatives in my mind (at least in a longer time period on tour).

Courses - Sure they get to play anywhere, but do these places really feel special to these guys anymore. Does Pebble just become a place I have to slog through in a 6 hour round? Does TPC Sawgrass just become a tricked-up Dye nightmare?

Travel - One hotel and city looks like the next. Play in Dubai? 18 hours on planes (private or not) just to get home for a few days before taking off to the next location. Personally, when I don't have to travel for work, I want to for the change of scenery, and when I do have to travel a lot, I'd rather be at home more. Always looks better on the other side.

Equipment - I like the Rocco Mediate approach in the Dicks commercials. I can play ANYTHING I want to. Say I'm a Callaway staffer, but TaylorMade is making the best equipment...depending on the contract, I may be stuck with the Callaway offerings. Now it is certainly cool to have the variety and fitting options available at your whim, but the 14 club contract may be very restricting.

Playing Golf for a Living - This will vary person to person, but part of the reason I love Golf is that it is an escape for a few hours from my normal life. If my very livelyhood depends on how well I play, or if I make this next 20-footer, I'm not sure how enjoyable that would continue to be. It's very easy for the fans to say how great it would be to play a game for a living, and there is truth to that, but these guys also don't get to do what we take for granted - play for fun.
 
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