"When your really, really good isn't good enough"...

[J-Blade]

If you've had the pleasure of reading "18 in America: A Young Golfer's Epic Journey to Find the Essence of the Game, by Dylan Dethier (If you haven't, it's a great read), check out this article from this month's Golf.com on Dylan's attempt at professional golf. He got his Canadian PGA card, but then reality set in... http://www.golf.com/knockdown/2017/03/20/when-really-really-good-isnt-good-enough-inside-one-golfers-attempt-live-his-dream It was good to hear what Dylan has been up to since he wrote the book.

[KirkNo-yes]

Thanks for the post. I love reading books like this. very real and there are a LOT of young players that need to read these things.

[J-Blade]

Right.. I'm thinking of forwarding the link to some of our players at the college where I work.

[i*windows]

its a great read!

[Dave D]

great read, thank you

[J-Blade]

Thanks guys... If you liked the article, try Dylan's book, "18 in America". It's a great read too. I downloaded it from Amazon for my Kindle.

[jonsnow]

Great article, very enlightening on just how good you have to really be to make a living playing golf because he clearly is a very talented golfer to be able to put up some of the numbers he did. Reminiscent of Paper Tiger by Tom Coyne, another really good book.

 

Maybe Dylan will pursue a career writing about golf. He seems to have a lot of talent in that arena too.

[G.O.A.T]

Golf is the only sport where it gives many hopefuls the illusion bc they hit every shot the pros have hit at least once... but bringing it all together beating a very tough track 4 days straight knowing you need rent money and food on the table is a whole different ball game.

 

Just looked him up. He shot one tournament under par and cashed 770 bucks and missed every other cut. He totaled 66 strokes over par in 8 tournaments. Dare i say not really, really good at all. Catchy title from an english major I guess. See thats the delusion im talking about. But i respect the dreamchasing i really do. Too many people settle in life for mediocrity.

[Aaronwilson_95]

Golf is the only sport where it gives many hopefuls the illusion bc they hit every shot the pros have hit at least once... but bringing it all together beating a very tough track 4 days straight knowing you need rent money and food on the table is a whole different ball game.

 

Just looked him up. He shot one tournament under par and cashed 770 bucks and missed every other cut. He totaled 66 strokes over par in 8 tournaments. Dare i say not really, really good at all. Catchy title from an english major I guess. See thats the delusion im talking about. But i respect the dreamchasing i really do. Too many people settle in life for mediocrity.

Dare I say managing to get status on the Mackenzie isn't exactly a cake wake ?

[blaird]

Very interesting article. A lot of people dont realize just how good you have to play in order to make some money. Ive known some that have had Web.com status and lost it, played hooters/mini tour events for a couple years...its hard to just break even and even harder to make money.

[J-Blade]

Great article, very enlightening on just how good you have to really be to make a living playing golf because he clearly is a very talented golfer to be able to put up some of the numbers he did. Reminiscent of Paper Tiger by Tom Coyne, another really good book.

 

Maybe Dylan will pursue a career writing about golf. He seems to have a lot of talent in that arena too.

 

He might... He has a B.A. in English. He is an entertaining write.

 

In addition to his ability at golf, I am also envious that he had Holly Sonder's phone number :) Great chapter in his 18 in America book on that.

[doublepar93]

Awesome read. Shows how tough it is, and just how mental of a game golf is. It can make the most level-headed person launch a club down the fairway. Want to read his book as well.

[jafstar]

So out of curiosity.

 

If by chance you have another career waiting for you outside of golf:

 

1) Would that make the "mini tour grind" easier?

2) Does playing for your rent and food make you more determined?

[Disco Dave]

Dare i say not really, really good at all.

 

Reread the title. It says "When YOUR very, very good..." iow he's not claiming what you're suggesting.

[Disco Dave]

So out of curiosity.

 

If by chance you have another career waiting for you outside of golf:

 

1) Would that make the "mini tour grind" easier?

2) Does playing for your rent and food make you more determined?

 

This is a good point. I doubt it makes it easier but I'd answer both your questions with "it depends."

 

He clearly has a bright future as a writer. I'm not sure his wiriting ability is related to his decision to quit, but I think he gave up prematurely on the golf. As I read the article I could point out clear improvement over the couple of years he wrote about. Maybe he just felt he wasn't improving fast enough to cut it.

 

Based on his writing, he has a lot of improvement to make mentally. He seems very focused on the negative stuff and the guys who were struggling. That negativity will weigh heavy on you. And it takes a lot of work to not focus on negativity if you have a tendency to do so.

 

 

[AceCatKY]

So out of curiosity.

 

If by chance you have another career waiting for you outside of golf:

 

1) Would that make the "mini tour grind" easier?

2) Does playing for your rent and food make you more determined?

 

This is a good point. I doubt it makes it easier but I'd answer both your questions with "it depends."

 

He clearly has a bright future as a writer. I'm not sure his wiriting ability is related to his decision to quit, but I think he gave up prematurely on the golf. As I read the article I could point out clear improvement over the couple of years he wrote about. Maybe he just felt he wasn't improving fast enough to cut it.

 

Based on his writing, he has a lot of improvement to make mentally. He seems very focused on the negative stuff and the guys who were struggling. That negativity will weigh heavy on you. And it takes a lot of work to not focus on negativity if you have a tendency to do so.

 

Agree with that. To go from Williams College to Mackenzie status in 2 years is a pretty big leap. Who knows what a bit more time would have brought for him.

[heavy_hitter]

awesome read. Thanks.

[Bimmer1]

Just purchased a used copy off ebay for $3.99 Sounds interesting

[Railroading13]

thanks for posting