What does it really take to become a TOUR PRO!? Elite golf coach explains!  

Find the FULL podcast with Dan here on Apple podcasts - podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-rick-shiels-golf-show/id1406443091#episodeGuid=Buzzsprout-8361303

One thing missing - No mention of the "Bank of Mum and Dad". Without a lot of money put into a young player - no one can get on tour. Membership, clubs, bags, clothes, shoes, gloves, balls, tees, transport to and from....need I go on? People in the background have to make more sacrfices than the kid with the grooved swing.

Just to share another little story as well; I was fortunate enough to play a round of golf with a young local lad who had not long turned Pro (through a mutual friend). He played for England School Boys and he turned Pro off +6!!! He was just ridiculously good I've never seen anything like it. He shot 6 under when I played with him incidentally and it didn't even look like he broke sweat. It's a bit of a cliche but they play a different game. They hit the ball that hard and far, the ball flight is totally different, it's like they're playing with a special ball or something. He took lines off the tee you don't even think are possible, there's no such thing as a par 5, just long par 4s, and inside of 150 yards it was within 6-8ft every time. Now here's the crazy part, as good as that lad is, even he's struggling to really make it!! He's knocking around the Challenge Tour and Euro Pro etc and he's had the odd invite for European Tour and apart from one or two respectable finishes, he's not done a great deal. He has had a few injuries though I believe. I still look back on that round with him regularly and think what a privilege it was to see that up close. Absolutely different gravy!

I think Rick showed the difference in those who will make it and who won’t. “So you won’t have any fun” is what Rick said but the true greats of the game ARE having fun. They wouldn’t rather be anywhere else than on a golf course playing at the highest level so in their minds they aren’t missing out on any fun, the journey and destination are fun enough

I'm 48, Dan we have 2 years to whip me into shape for the senior tour

Awesome podcast Rick, you are an absolute legend! Your honesty about scores and your game makes you so much more authentic than a lot of other channels, and it also makes the days you score really well even cooler, because we know that you have worked for it and deserve it. I wish you all the best with life, golf and your family.

Love Dan. In every video you have done he comes across so down to earth all the time.

Exactly my down fall. I started when I was 16 and by the time I turned 18 years old I was playing off 9. I was playing/practicing everyday. I was having lessons regular and I was shooting mid 70 rounds. But when I turned 18, i discovered alcohol and woman and i ruined everything. But it proved that I never had what it took.

Absolutely loved this podcast! (still haven't listened to all of it). Dan is so knowledgable about golf and the golf swing I could listen to him talk about it all day long. I was one of the guys that you effectively referenced in the podcast; I first saw Dan through yours and Pete's videos and then booked in for a lesson with him myself. I had to answer all of those questions like he said and I didn't realise this at the time but I guess I was lucky that he 'agreed' to take me on lol! I've had 4 lessons with him over the last 4 years and in that time I've come down from 18 to 6. Hoping to book another lesson later this year.

As a former scratch golfer, someone who is an 18 handicap is way closer to a scratch level than a scratch is to a tour pro.

Love the snip it’s on here. Don’t always have the time to listen to the entire podcast so it’s nice getting to see some of the highlights

It must mess a lot of people's heads up when they dominate their local scene and suddenly they step up to the next level and EVERYONE is just as good as you or better.

Really enjoyed listening to Dan. Great topic. Note I've been watching golf since the 60's and Dan's comment about the level of competition right now is bang on. There are so many great players now that almost anyone can win from week to week. And they're a lot more physically fit. Hope you have Dan on again. PS-when I hear Dan talk about young 16-17 year olds who don't really pan out I couldn't help but think of a guy in the US named Ty Tryon. One win on Hooters Tour. That's it.

Dan is absolutely incredible! Great insights and extremely knowledgeable

It is reassuring to know that Rick is as close to a tour pro in handicap as a 12 handicap is to Rick 🤣 great episode once again 👍

Really good stuff. You guys are killing it on these blogs. Love it. Thanks Guy and Rick

I'm very happy to hear that the times have gone that someone needs to really mimic a swing but that one is looking to the individual. In top sports things are just at a different level and as I was a pro tennis coach for talented youth (top level) I know this all to well. So this said ... nice vid of part of the pod cast. Thx from this now 2 year new-bee in golf and totally in love with this game. 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

I enjoyed this. Helps me with my own expectations. It's hard to know just how good these blokes are in a vaccume. And I want to get to the singles in my handicap so it helps to know what actually goes on in these things.

I grew up playing with a golfer who turned pro around 10 years ago off +3/+4 and he played europro for a couple of years. Your guest is spot on as even back then at 17/18 years old pre turning pro playing our local club comps off the white tees -2 was his rare bad round (even in wet weather or fairly windy conditions) and on the flip side his low rounds in good conditions was -7/-8.

Good podcast a few corrections top tour pros +10hdcp scratch golfers would shoot between 82-90 on most tour courses

I would love to watch the WHOLE podcast! I love it

Hearing different coaches talk about what it takes to be a tour pro and just how good the tour pros are just blows my mind every time. I feel like a lot of people still think of golf as a old mans game. It has definitely got better but I don't think people realize how good pro golfers are. In my opinion golf is the hardest sport to get good at.

Very interesting content - loved your questions, great stuff!

Have to say Dan is the man. Brilliant insight into golf and coaching. Excellent podcast lads 👍🏻

I would love to able to watch the full podcast. I like the visuals

This was very enlightening! Appreciated the inner circle view on what it takes. God bless anyone walking down this road, these major organizations don't seem to care to make it very easy for them.

Those were some really interesting insights. That was a great interview.......

Golf is a game of consistency. You really can't expect to develop best consistency until you quit growing.

I’ve subscribed. Looking forward to videos from this INSANE studio.

Very interesting. One obvious thing you see with scratch players at you local is that most courses are 6000/6500 yards, par 4's 370-410 on average. Take those guys to a championship layout and all of a sudden they're 8 handicappers at best!!

I’m 25 and have become obsessed with golf. I practice 6 to 7 times a week for two to three hours at a time. I don’t really do it because I have hopes of becoming a pro golfer. I only do it because I find it fun. To me, there is no better feeling than hitting golf balls straight down the range. I’m unemployed right now and when I get a job this might change, but I’ll enjoy it while I have it.

Great conversation. Illuminated so much in a short few minutes. Would love to train with Dan one day.

Matt Southgate and Richard McEvoy both use the course I play at to practice on - one of the people I play with who plays off scratch played with McEvoy the other week in a friendly 4 ball and he shot 61 - 10 under! The level is ridiculous - then imagine the jump from these European tour guys (making cuts and McEvoy has 1 win on tour) to the top level PGA household names

Definitely the best podcast I've seen. +6!! Crazy! So different to back in the day.

The most interesting golf vid I’ve watched in a long time.

Good point of managing your expectations. I played 2x in Sunday competition with a young player who wanted to go on the Challenge tour, he was playing of +3 and both times i thought there was a lot of skill missing in his game (I was was playxing of 22 at that time but still could see, that he is not going to make it) and surely both times he walked out of the competition because his score was so poor. A few years later I went for a fitting and while I was talking to the guy, he mentioned he was playing US-College golf at +5 and I asked him if he ever tried it on tour or if he ever considered to go on tour. His reply was stunning to me, he said: "No my putting was too bad". I am sure he was super realistic about his game at an early stage of life/golfing career. I was stunned by that answer, as I was told by friend, that P. Harrington i.e. became a pro at +3 and later went on to become one of the greatest golfers.

Equally I know of plenty of +6 or better golfers at 15 who made a local tour and disappeared. There’s plenty of low handicap players who worked hard and are now best in the world. Do not put your in a box, work hard and you’ll be a good chance. 🙏.

Love the studio guys

It’s just so amazing that as a parent after hearing this...there are other parents that push they’re children through this process just to live through them and not let golf just be a good fun sport.

Great podcast. Really interesting.

“When you go to a local course ask what the course record is and who has it, if it’s the club pro don’t break the record” Ben hogan

Very inciteful as to how the pro game has changed. From my experiences from over 20 years ago it has significantly changed to break in. I remember reading about the Leadbetter academy for juniors in the early 2000's and how it was regular school built around teaching junior players to become elite future pro players. Times change that's for sure. Hearing the elite player coach be honest about where you would need to be to realistically have a chance is so refreshing. 20 plus years ago you didn't have that, at least not for me. All I ever heard was you hit it plenty long enough just work on your short game and you will make it. I work a fulltime job now with some scar tissue that I'm still reconciling with from my own failures. I did fall into the trap of girls and alcohol and having a really good time. Before you know it a few years have gone by and not that the moment has passed, but each year it gets harder and harder and the odds begin to really stack up against you.

Talent is one thing and it's important, but unwavering belief is what separates the high achievers.

Development years 18-22 is 💯 right. I averaged 67 on my junior circuit. I'm in my 30s now, can't break par and I've never been happier playing golf. The grind will change you if you're not built for it.

Great that! So good to finally hear about how hard it is to get on tour! +6 is incredible! I’m plus six for my first 2 holes!!! 🤣🤣

Great podcast .

I heard Lee Westwood and Luke Donald both got to -5 HC at 16 years old, and that was 30 odd years ago...

I have loved listening to Dan. The 1.5 hour flew by today. Another great podcast 5⭐ lads

Why is there only small clips of each podcast? Any chance of uploading the full podcast videos on to RU-vid too? Thanks

Any plans to put the whole podcast on video? Great podcast guys.

Really enjoyed that

It’s like this. To even make it past q school, you gotta play the best golf of your life, for 4 straight days. Even then it may not be enough. If you can show up and shoot 64 on your home course with ease, your ready.

What a great guest dropping truth bombs!

Dan Whittaker is one hell of a coach....good insights

Great look into how good the pros are. I’m a single digit hcp and I am fully aware my game is a different universe than those guys.

Rick hit it on the money. Monster drives are still 200yrds on a Par 4. Pros are pulling out 7iron and getting on the green with accuracy. Where most Joes can hit a huge a drive but struggle on the next shot with a hybrid 3wood to get close to the green let alone the hole.

The dedication is fun...

The other difference to the weekend golfer is... Perfectly groomed golf courses, no crappy conditions to deal with. Unless you put it in the water, you aren't losing a ball, there is always someone nearby. They fix their ball marks. If they shank it it hits someone in the gallery and bounces back. The best equipment. All of this adds up to a few shots.

Best podcast to date 👏

Let's be fair, a +2 on a bad day is not still shooting under par (unless they play on a very easy course). Plus handicaps are not superheroes. This might shock people, but plus handicaps still shoot 😲 5,6,7 over par sometimes 😲 they just do it much less often, and can also shoot several under par the next round to make up for it. Full disclosure before someone calls me jealous or something, I'm a 4 h'cap and play with plus handicaps semi-regularly. And they are significantly better than me.

I went to the local Korn Ferry Qualifier Q-School tourney last year. This kid from Oklahoma in 3 rounds, in the wind, pins tucked, 7200 yards shot -19. The following month he shot -5 in 4 rounds and missed cut. See you next year. Entry Fee was $3500

It’s true but I know some lads on the tour who turned pro off 3 handicap and kept improving year on year and got a Europeantour card and then there was ian pouter who turned pro off 2 handicap so there is no rule ⛳️👍👍👍great video

This podcast is good

My coach always pulls up videos of Tiger when he is coaching me😂

This is the 3rd time i watched this video. I think its so under rated

The cost must be incredible!!

a mate i work with was off +4 he missed qualifying for the open by a shot he never made it in the end and hes a good golfer

but only a handful of tournament pros on the PGA are at +8-9 each week and even less remain there for any length of time. What's Adam Scott's "handicap currently"?

Another interesting thing is that gaining on your index gets increasingly, dare I say exponentially harder the lower you get. Going from 6 to 5 is way easier than going from +5 to +6.

Marc Leishman played his home course off +7, if my memory is correct he shot 65 off the stick.

A tour golfer is on a different planet to a scratch handicapper. It could come down to natural talent or it could be they've got a better team around em or it could be dedication, or a mixture of all 3.

Excellent insight, I wonder how much effort it would take myself (age: 28) alongside working with the likes of Dan to get me from 13 to scratch...😂😂😂

Poulter is an amazing example of the work it takes. Played off about 4 at 17/18 and did his PGA exams and now owns a garage full of Ferraris

In golf, in you’re good enough you will make it. Forget handicap. So many people are so focused on handicap. There is a ton of players that have an “ego” handicap(especially younger players with the new handicap system) that they can’t actually play to and it gets them nowhere, so don’t get disheartened by this video if you’re that person that is going to work harder than anyone else to achieve your dreams!

Rick asked a few times "your maybe on the verge, what you got to do at 22 to make it"? If you're asking that question at 22 your probably already to late! I would say your in a way better position if you and your coach is asking that very question when the players breaking through at 15 or even 18 years old, it's like most thing's, if you want to be one of the best you need to get in early and stay focused/consistent.

Here’s the key: Money. You can’t get coached by these guys and play tons of golf unless you’ve got tons of money.

Can somebody explain what it means to be plus in a handicap? Thanks 🙏

actually these tour courses are and very finaly cut greens and fringes, and good conditions well kept courses . are easier then a lot of the average public golf courses. the greens roll more true and the fairways are easier to make good contact . ive shot my best scores in some of these golf tour golf courses. there not that hard actually. now some are very hard like major events courses. but a regular pga tour event there c=actually pretty easy courses tbh .

Dear Rick, I get it that the red Monster on the left shelf matches the color scheme, but I feel like I speak for many of your fans here, you deserve better! Replace it with a watermelon red bull. It will still match the color scheme and you'll have the quality of product that a respected man such as yourself deserves! Regards, A big fan.

Smiley Kaufman...the trek to the top is slippery.

Hi Rick

Watching valderama DP world tour event recently commentator said 1 handicapper receives 12 shots when he plays off the tips. I’m off 1 and would say I’m at least 12 shots worse than Rory. Our club champion is +3 and has been +5 and unfortunately he’s nowhere near good enough to play on challenge tour he plays with euro pro tour guy who has done nothing as a pro and gets beat easily. I’m a decent golfer it’s hard to knock 12 shots off my game. These guys are just so good.

I'm 40, playing off 32,6 - so your telling me there's a chance? 😂

All one needs to do ( wanna be a pro) is looks at Monday Q scores ! It you’re not posting low-mid 60s.. become a club pro

I think anyone who thinks they are good enough to go down this route really needs to get on a tougher course and play it from the back tees. My local course from the back tees is a par 71, 7100 yards rated at 73.8, slope 139. Playing par 3's that are around or over 200 yards gets easy to throw shots away. Par 4s that constantly require long irons into small greens. Par 5s that unless your knocking it well over 300 yards your not getting home in 2. This course can be tough to shoot low scores on. Being able to knock it round your local course that's under 6500 yards in the 60s is not going to make it.

Big Heart Big Balls Big Dreams

Thought it was Niall Horan in the thumbnail

Does plus 6 mean you get 6 extra shots to make par or you get 6 less shots to make par?

How do I find out my handicap?

When Faldo is saying “wow this guy is fresh on the tour at 31” you will need to rethink your “prime age” for golf, Dan Yes the 31 year old will be me 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

Shane Lowry was +6 as an teenager and enjoyed life

John Daily enters the chat smokes a stogie hits 4 sand shots and wins with ease.

People comment that 10,000 hours will make "YOU" a pro. ONLY AFTER deciding you are going to change or from the start, learning and performing the fundamentals (REGARDLESS OF THE SCORE.) Then it is 10,000 HOURS OF "STRUCTURED" PRACTICE." 99% won't change their habits to even start the clock! Shooting low 80;s seems close to a 79 average but a lucky 79 is a long way, if even possible for the remaining 1% from a scratch golfer.

3:16 Tiger Woods

Here's some advice: if you have talent, play your home course 4 straight days walking. If you can shoot 4 under or better, everyday, take your game to a higher level. If you cant do it a home, you'll not do it anywhere else.

What about a 30+ year old that has fallen in love with the game. Would you just say, go for it or too late mate not going to happen. ?

If i had a hair line like Dan i would be filty rich and have a scratch handicap 😂

Dan is best avoided as a coach

Kinda really exemplifies the parental impact on top tier athletes. Yes obviously the teenager has to put the work in, but their parents had to hand them a club at four years old and spend their entire childhood training them.

Be honest with me now... I'm 35 years old and play off 10. Will I win a major in the next 5 years?