COMMUNITY

I haven't done it, because I've never enrolled in the program. But I know a lot of PGA Professionals and am familiar with this requirement. Did you have a specific question, or just fishing for who's done it?

The PAT is for many the biggest obstacle to becoming a PGA Professional. Only 20% of those who attempt the PAT are successful.

Joe did it and passed and several of his buddies have passed it. Took a few tries - definitely not easy when you have the pressure of that number on ya. You can get into the program with an 18 hole score which is 1/2 the total +5 I believe but you can't complete the final checkpoint (there are 3) until you pass the whole 36 holes.

I have heard of it before but I thought that the standards were alot higher than what they really are. I might have to try for this sometime in the future. There are a few places close to me that give the test.

For those of you interested, the PAT is 36 holes where you have to shoot a gross score less than the course index times 2 plus 15. It's a gross score, so your handicap doesn't figure in except for the fact that the higher your handicap the harder it is to hit the number. Nerves obviously are also a factor.

The courses they use for the PAT typically have pretty favorable pin placements, are purposely flat around the hole, and they don't play from the tips, usually they use one of the middle tees. However, as noted these favorable conditions also come with the pressure of needing to make "the number" and having to do so with a lot of tense players trying to do the same.

You can learn more by following the link heartotexas posted.

The PAT is only one of the requirements. The PGA Professional program requires a lot of schooling, most of which is in merchandising and course management.

I don't even do that in 24 holes usually.. LOL

Just looking for comments from people that have. My son will be registering in early sept for a shot at it Sep 27. He wanted me to "caddy" for him but the rules are really goofy. Players must use a cart, they must transport their bags on the cart. They can have a caddy but the caddy cannot drive the cart. That seems really bass ackwards. If you are gonna allow carts at all, seems it would be the caddy driving and the player walking.
In fact no one is allowed on the course in a cart that isn't an official or a player.

It's the mini Q School.

What course is your son's PAT at?

Down in Granbury. I think its Hidden Oaks. He has played there several times so is familiar with the course. Why? Want to join him? I almost called you yesterday morning about 2 hours before our 10AM tee time to invite you along but felt it would be kinda rude since I know you would have to make arrangements.

Don't think so. Doesn't really have much to do with being a Tour player. I would also think that Q school requires all participants to walk the entire course, as well as caddies.

Just curious. Granbury would be a bit of a drive for me! On the North Texas PGA website it shows that particular PAT is on Oct. 11, rather than the end of September. Might want to double-check that with your son.

If I could give your son any advice, I'd just tell him to pick his spots and play to his favorite yardages even if it seems a little cooky to do so. If he's great at, say, 150 yards, then he should try to give himself 150 yards for his approach on every hole he can...even if it means he hits a 3-iron off the tee on a short par 4 or something. Having a consistent length on your approach makes it a lot easier on the ol' brain.

That aside, we do need to get together and play sometime...I'd love to play a round with your son too!

That's pretty much exactly what I told him and how he played his round Thursday here at Plantation. His putting was absolutely atrocious, the worst I've ever seen from him. He left at least 4, 3-5' birdies out there and a couple of par putts he just should have made. 75. If his putting improves over the next month or so and get's back to where it was, I have confidence shooting no more than 15 over in two rounds will not be an issue for him. I talked him down from 4 of his bogeys from trying to make them up all at once on the next few holes. As you know, there are so many risk reward holes at Plantation, I helped him keep his patience and wait for the birdies. Unfortunately he blew so many of them and let them be pars, it was hard to watch. :)