Mini-Tour Question

[Outdors21]

My friend and I were having an argument during our round today (I shot 69! my best in a few years).

 

Would a scratch/0 have ANY success on a mini tour over 20 events? a +1?

 

What's the cut off.

[mjen43]

The short answer is no.

 

A 0/+1 is not really even capable of winning AJGA/junior golf level tournaments these days. They have essentially zero chance of cashing any kind of check at any reputable mini tour. Since handicap is pretty worthless as it relates to competitive tournament ability, it's hard to even give a specific number that has a chance of being competitive.

 

https://www.gstour.c...urnamentID=6279

 

Here's a recent event where shooting -7 on a 74.4 rated course over three days netted a whopping $30 on the entry fee.

 

Someone who finished in 16th place shot differentials of .6, -5.4, and -7.4 and made -$720.

[ScratchyDawg]

20 years ago, a scratch golfer could probably make a meager living on the mini tours. Nowadays, he'd be lucky to win his club championship.

[golfandfishing]

Over 20 events - a scratch has no chance. The best chance would be a one day event posting a career round. The more rounds you play the more a scratch will deviate to his average score of 75 or so. That will get you run over, although you will be very popular with the rest of the field.

[Outdors21]

20 years ago, a scratch golfer could probably make a meager living on the mini tours. Nowadays, he'd be lucky to win his club championship.

 

That is precisely what I said. He disagreed. When I was a scratch/+1, I played a few rounds with a legitimate +4 and the difference was astonishing. It was very humbling.

[baaron008]

The difference between my scratch friend and my +4-5 friend is that my scratch friend occasionally breaks par with like a 69-70 while I have seen my +4-5 friend shoot low sixties on several occasions.

[golfing_penguin]

I´d have to say no joy as well because the 0/+1 isn´t likely to have the ability to shoot a 61 on a 6500 yard course, which is (grossly simplified) what mini-tour guys can do. On the flip side, boring golf and nearly always shooting -3 would fair reasonably, especially over the 61-75 guy

[Thrillhouse]

Nope. I calculated the tournament handicaps of some mini tour players on here a few years ago to attempt to settle this debate.

 

A tournament +4 made less than half the cuts over the course of the year and lost money. I think the break even point was around a tournament +6.5, and the guy who led the money list was a +9.

 

A scratch would never sniff a cut and have a scoring average around 78 or so assuming the courses they played were rated around 74.

[Outdors21]

Nope. I calculated the tournament handicaps of some mini tour players on here a few years ago to attempt to settle this debate.

 

A tournament +4 made less than half the cuts over the course of the year and lost money. I think the break even point was around a tournament +6.5, and the guy who led the money list was a +9.

 

A scratch would never sniff a cut and have a scoring average around 78 or so assuming the courses they played were rated around 74.

 

Sweet lord in heaven.

[lumberman2462]

I used to play in a few Florida mini-Tour pro-ams every year and was amazed at how good some of those guys were and couldn't advance to the even the Web.com. A few did make it: Boo Weekley, Bubba Watson were the biggest names that made it to the Tour and several others made it to Web.com.

 

Thrillhouse statement about a scratch shooting 78 is pretty close. At times i was bouncing around 1-5 handicap and over those the three days of a tournament I'd shoot 75 and then 80 all the while playing along some kid that would shoot 65 one day and 73 the next.

 

I can't count how many times our "Pro" for the week was fresh out of college and chasing the dream - only enough money to spend 6 weeks or a few months seeing if they had the game to play. That's not a criticism just an observation.

 

But it has been fun over the years to flip on TGC and see a name pop up and remember playing with them. I always played with a friend in these events and he'll call me and say "You remember that kid that hit his tee shot into the swimming pool?" Or " remember when that guy freaked out and broke a bunch of club?" -Turn it on he's on the leader board on the Web.com.

 

 

[kg92lefty]

Not a chance. Have to be a +3 or 4 to make the cut or qualify for state opens most of the time. Now if you want to talk about making money that's a different story.

[Lagavulin62]

This is turning out to be a pretty depressing thread. Instead of dreaming golf, I wonder if I had devoted more time to the weights and stuck with football, would I have had a snowballs chance of making the Longhorns scout team?

[HighSpeedScene]

I was +4 when I tried to make enough gas money to get from Brandon to Orlando, and I freaking STARVED. I figured I needed at least two more index points to even compete.

 

A guy named Pete Jordan (had been on/off the tour) shot 63 in a little one-dayer that should have been 55 if he could have putted - I kept his card that day. I asked him if after the round if I had ANY shot and he didn't even hesitate: No.

 

That night I finished my law school applications.

[AppAlum]

I know better than to read a thread that starts with "My friend and I"?

[Obee]

I am literally surrounded by scratch golfers; legit, plus-handicap amateurs; mini-tour players; web.com guys: and legit PGA Tour players.

 

The difference from level-to-level is subtle, but real. And it can be quantified, but really only by long-term tournament scoring average over ALL rounds (not best 10 of last 20 like an index is calculated) compared to course rating/slope

 

I will give you a perfect example: when I was a bit younger I qualified for the only professional event I ever attempted: The California State Open. At the time I was about a +2. I missed the cut. I played very poorly, but I missed the cut.

 

Could I have made the cut? Which was, if I remember correctly, three over? Absolutely I could have made the cut. If I played a bunch of tournaments I could've made a couple cuts. Could I have made anything even remotely approaching a living? Absolutely not. I couldn't even have paid my expenses. It would've been a losing proposition from the get go.

 

I was simply never quite good enough to make even my expenses back as a pro.

 

Not long or consistent enough off the tee, a bit on the nervous side under pressure, and I will generally hit one or two really bad shots a round.

 

Any legitimate plus handicap golfer has a (small) chance to make an occasional cut on pretty much any mini tour, but that is it. They would never, ever contend to win, and they would be lucky to make a couple hundred dollars if they ever managed to k a cut. There are just far, far too many +4 to +6 index guys out there today....

[finleysg]

Heh - sounds like scratch is the new 4 hcp nowadays.

 

Edit: that said, I know the difference between me and a legit scratch is significant. Players who can make some money professionally might as well be playing a different game since they're so much better.

[EntourageLife]

Give it up. The average scratch golfer from Michigan or "up North", or anywhere has ZERO comprehension of how good a tour player actually is...

[Santiago Golf]

Not a chance. Have to be a +3 or 4 to make the cut or qualify for state opens most of the time. Now if you want to talk about making money that's a different story.

 

I think most low handicappers have a shot at qualifying for there State Open or Am, you got think a couple over or even makes it and they could out there shoot a great round for themselves. A player in Michigan Am came in 2nd in the stroke play keeps a cap of around scratch to +1.

 

I think a scratch could career it for two days and make a cut on a mini tour, but probably couldn't make a living out there.

 

Give it up. The average scratch golfer from Michigan or "up North", or anywhere has ZERO comprehension of how good a tour player actually is...

 

What do you have against the greatest state in Golf.

[EntourageLife]

Not a chance. Have to be a +3 or 4 to make the cut or qualify for state opens most of the time. Now if you want to talk about making money that's a different story.

 

I think most low handicappers have a shot at qualifying for there State Open or Am, you got think a couple over or even makes it and they could out there shoot a great round for themselves. A player in Michigan Am came in 2nd in the stroke play keeps a cap of around scratch to +1.

 

I think a scratch could career it for two days and make a cut on a mini tour, but probably couldn't make a living out there.

Give it up. The average scratch golfer from Michigan or "up North", or anywhere has ZERO comprehension of how good a tour player actually is...

 

What do you have against the greatest state in Golf.

 

It is the greatest state in golf! But also, nobody living there has the understanding of just how good an actual tour player is...

 

 

[Santiago Golf]

Not a chance. Have to be a +3 or 4 to make the cut or qualify for state opens most of the time. Now if you want to talk about making money that's a different story.

 

I think most low handicappers have a shot at qualifying for there State Open or Am, you got think a couple over or even makes it and they could out there shoot a great round for themselves. A player in Michigan Am came in 2nd in the stroke play keeps a cap of around scratch to +1.

 

I think a scratch could career it for two days and make a cut on a mini tour, but probably couldn't make a living out there.

Give it up. The average scratch golfer from Michigan or "up North", or anywhere has ZERO comprehension of how good a tour player actually is...

 

What do you have against the greatest state in Golf.

 

It is the greatest state in golf! But also, nobody living there has the understanding of just how good an actual tour player is...

 

Maybe because we no longer to get see the best in the world play every year in Michigan. But we still have a good understanding of how good it takes to be a tour player

[EntourageLife]

Not a chance. Have to be a +3 or 4 to make the cut or qualify for state opens most of the time. Now if you want to talk about making money that's a different story.

 

I think most low handicappers have a shot at qualifying for there State Open or Am, you got think a couple over or even makes it and they could out there shoot a great round for themselves. A player in Michigan Am came in 2nd in the stroke play keeps a cap of around scratch to +1.

 

I think a scratch could career it for two days and make a cut on a mini tour, but probably couldn't make a living out there.

Give it up. The average scratch golfer from Michigan or "up North", or anywhere has ZERO comprehension of how good a tour player actually is...

 

What do you have against the greatest state in Golf.

 

It is the greatest state in golf! But also, nobody living there has the understanding of just how good an actual tour player is...

 

Maybe because we no longer to get see the best in the world play every year in Michigan. But we still have a good understanding of how good it takes to be a tour player

 

I know. The Buick Open was one of my favorite events. Michigan has some of the finest, most enjoyable golf courses in the world.

 

Forest Dunes, amazing.

 

Point O' Woods, old school amazing

[Santiago Golf]

^^^

 

True North, Bay Harbor, Arcadi, The Dunes, Oakland Hills, Crystal Downs, Orchard Lake, Kingsley, U of Mich, Detroit Golf Club, GreyWalls, and the list goes on

[rangersgoalie]

20 years ago, a scratch golfer could probably make a meager living on the mini tours. Nowadays, he'd be lucky to win his club championship.

 

Twenty years ago, the best maybe waked out a living.

A scratch golf was a purse builder back then too

[EntourageLife]

20 years ago, a scratch golfer could probably make a meager living on the mini tours. Nowadays, he'd be lucky to win his club championship.

 

Twenty years ago, the best maybe waked out a living.

A scratch golf was a purse builder back then too

 

Talk to Frank from Moonlight Tour. He'll tell you. Made him rich too...

[bladehunter]

Not a chance. Have to be a +3 or 4 to make the cut or qualify for state opens most of the time. Now if you want to talk about making money that's a different story.

 

I think most low handicappers have a shot at qualifying for there State Open or Am, you got think a couple over or even makes it and they could out there shoot a great round for themselves. A player in Michigan Am came in 2nd in the stroke play keeps a cap of around scratch to +1.

 

I think a scratch could career it for two days and make a cut on a mini tour, but probably couldn't make a living out there.

 

Give it up. The average scratch golfer from Michigan or "up North", or anywhere has ZERO comprehension of how good a tour player actually is...

 

 

What do you have against the greatest state in Golf.

 

South Carolina !?

 

Edit. Lol I don't know who is the single greatest state. But no other region will top NC SC GA in my opinion. You can't drive 40 minutes in any direction from anywhere in three states without running over a quality course. And inbetween are hundreds of good clean munis that you can play for literally under $20 if your walking.

[Santiago Golf]

Not a chance. Have to be a +3 or 4 to make the cut or qualify for state opens most of the time. Now if you want to talk about making money that's a different story.

 

I think most low handicappers have a shot at qualifying for there State Open or Am, you got think a couple over or even makes it and they could out there shoot a great round for themselves. A player in Michigan Am came in 2nd in the stroke play keeps a cap of around scratch to +1.

 

I think a scratch could career it for two days and make a cut on a mini tour, but probably couldn't make a living out there.

 

Give it up. The average scratch golfer from Michigan or "up North", or anywhere has ZERO comprehension of how good a tour player actually is...

 

 

What do you have against the greatest state in Golf.

 

South Carolina !?

 

Edit. Lol I don't know who is the single greatest state. But no other region will top NC SC GA in my opinion. You can't drive 40 minutes in any direction from anywhere in three states without running over a quality course. And inbetween are hundreds of good clean munis that you can play for literally under $20 if your walking.

Its the same in Michigan

[Soloman1]

Most guys who play think par is 68, so you shot one over. ;)

[Lagavulin62]

Not a chance. Have to be a +3 or 4 to make the cut or qualify for state opens most of the time. Now if you want to talk about making money that's a different story.

 

I think most low handicappers have a shot at qualifying for there State Open or Am, you got think a couple over or even makes it and they could out there shoot a great round for themselves. A player in Michigan Am came in 2nd in the stroke play keeps a cap of around scratch to +1.

 

I think a scratch could career it for two days and make a cut on a mini tour, but probably couldn't make a living out there.

 

Give it up. The average scratch golfer from Michigan or "up North", or anywhere has ZERO comprehension of how good a tour player actually is...

 

 

What do you have against the greatest state in Golf.

 

South Carolina !?

 

Edit. Lol I don't know who is the single greatest state. But no other region will top NC SC GA in my opinion. You can't drive 40 minutes in any direction from anywhere in three states without running over a quality course. And inbetween are hundreds of good clean munis that you can play for literally under $20 if your walking.

 

 

Wasn't walking outlawed? There are courses here, mostly of the private/public type, that will practically hang a man just for suggesting it.

[EntourageLife]

South Carolina vs Michigan lol

 

Sorry SC not even close

[HighSpeedScene]

Not a chance. Have to be a +3 or 4 to make the cut or qualify for state opens most of the time. Now if you want to talk about making money that's a different story.

 

I think most low handicappers have a shot at qualifying for there State Open or Am, you got think a couple over or even makes it and they could out there shoot a great round for themselves. A player in Michigan Am came in 2nd in the stroke play keeps a cap of around scratch to +1.

 

I think a scratch could career it for two days and make a cut on a mini tour, but probably couldn't make a living out there.

Give it up. The average scratch golfer from Michigan or "up North", or anywhere has ZERO comprehension of how good a tour player actually is...

 

What do you have against the greatest state in Golf.

 

It is the greatest state in golf! But also, nobody living there has the understanding of just how good an actual tour player is...

 

Google Mickey Soli...not just from MI, but from the upper peninsula. Those boys up north will eat your lunch on a 2 month season...