Transitioning from USMC to Professional Golf: A Strategic Plan

Question
I am currently serving in the United States Marine Corps.  I have been playing golf for approximately 13 years.  I currently have a 14 handicap, but have been playing on a different level as of late.  In two years I will retire from the Corps and am dreaming of becoming a professional golfer.   I have a very hectic schedule which prevents me from playing and practicing regularly. What are some things I can do (besides continue to practice and play) to prepare me for the upcoming challenges?

Answer
Hello and thank you for asking.  I was 29 when I moved down to FL to become a professional golfer.  mY handicap then was about a 15.  Four years later, I was able to get my handicap down to about a 5 with some wasted time but mostly practicing over 30 hours a week over the 4 years.  I did receive some bad instruction, but am a pretty good athlete, so I assume you can do about the same.  However, every stroke you want to take off after becoming a 5 or less is 10 times more work than when you are a 15.  When you are a 15, a little improvement in putting, or a slight swing change, or learning a new technique in chipping, can take 5 strokes off your game in less than 6 months.  However, when you near scratch, there are no more quick fixes.  You have to start putting in more than 30 hours a week, and get good instruction, and have the proper mental makeup and the athletic talent to become a pro.

A mini-tour pro, who can make no money or make 6 figures a year, is about a +2 or +3 handicap.  Thats a few shots better than a scratch player.  (Ie, you are a -14).  PGA pros are considered a +4 to +6.  Tiger is a +8, maybe better.  So knowing how hard it is just to get to scratch, understand that in the world of any professional golf, a "scratch golfer" is a terrible golfer.  So, let me know if you still want to do this. :)

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