playing pro
A playing pro is a golf professional who earns his money primarily by playing tournaments.
The playing pro is one side of the professional career in golf. The other side is the teaching pro, who earns his living through lessons and support at the club. The playing pro, by contrast, lives from appearance fees, placements and sponsorship contracts. He plays on a tour, trains several hours daily and travels for most of the year. In clubs, the term is also common when a qualified pro still actively plays tournaments alongside teaching. He is then considered a playing pro with reduced teaching duties.
In practice, the difference shows clearly in everyday life. An example: a club employs two professionals. One gives lessons from Monday to Saturday, looks after the juniors and organises the pro shop. The other is only at the club a few days, plays tournaments of the regional tour at weekends instead and prepares for qualifiers. Both have the same training but completely different work focuses. For you as a club member this is relevant when you want to book a lesson: the playing pro is simply less often available.
A common misconception is the idea that every golf professional is rich. In truth, only the best players on the major tours earn significant prize money. Most playing pros on smaller tours barely cover their travel costs with their results. Many therefore switch to a coaching role later or combine both paths. For amateurs, meeting a playing pro is often possible in the context of a Pro-Am, where professional and amateurs play together.
FAQ
Can I book an hour with a playing pro as an amateur?
In principle yes, but he is far less available than a pure teaching pro, because tournaments and travel dominate his calendar. Ask at your club's office which pro teaches when. For regular training with fixed appointments, the teaching pro is often the better choice.
How do I recognise whether a club pro also actively plays tournaments?
Ask directly at the club office or the pro shop — most clubs communicate openly when their pro is on tour. Results lists of regional tournaments also provide clues. An active playing pro brings the advantage for your training of drawing on his own competition experience, for example on mental training and tournament preparation.
How can I play together with a playing pro as an amateur?
The classic opportunity is a Pro-Am, a tournament format in which a professional plays together with amateurs in one flight. Such events take place before larger tournaments or as standalone charity events and are open to amateurs with a handicap. Alternatively, some clubs offer playing lessons in which the pro plays a round with you on the course.