Biggest gap between professional & enthusiast?

[TheFungle]

What sport would you guys say has the biggest difference between professional and enthusiastic amateur?

My personal vote goes for top level cycling.

As aforementioned enthusiastic amateur it astounds me just how much speed those guys can carry day in, day out, not to mention their bike handling skills.

[TheFungle]

bridgdav said:

I would say Golf is right up there...

There was a piece written a few years ago in Golf World about the global percentage handicap..

It said the average handicap of club golfers globally was 18 and that only 5% of ALL golfers who play will get to a single figure handicap, of that group, only 5% would ever get to handicap 5 or below. Then from that, 1% would get to a Scratch(zero) handicap..

The pro guys are Plus 4 or 5 Hcap generally before they even turn profesional. There might be quite a few of them globally, with all the different tours.. BUT, the ones we hear about on the TV are a very limited number of those professionals. More fail than make it to the big time.

Also the set-up dificulty and length of the courses compared to the ones general public play are very different.

I've played golf a grand total of twice in my life, second time was at a 'good' course in Ireland where I was invited to tag along and I have to say I didn't disgrace myself, several holes I shot on par and played (some) better than my vastly more experienced companion, of course I'm trying to say I'm some sort of prodigy but golf to me seems possible that on the right day a 'norma' person could compete with the big boys.

[TheFungle]

FloppyRaccoon said:

TheFungle said:

I've played golf a grand total of twice in my life, second time was at a 'good' course in Ireland where I was invited to tag along and I have to say I didn't disgrace myself, several holes I shot on par and played (some) better than my vastly more experienced companion, of course I'm trying to say I'm some sort of prodigy but golf to me seems possible that on the right day a 'norma' person could compete with the big boys.

You've played twice in your life? What did you shoot? No chance a normal person could compete with the pros.

I'd agree with the suggestion of golf. It's how consistently close the pros can stick it next to the pin that amazes me. And that's on the hardest courses in the world. Tiger broke 80 by the age of 8, I still struggle to do that more than once in a while at 20.

no idea

The point I was trying to make was that as an absolute beginner I could thrash my way round the course and still not be a million miles away from being close to a good score.

[TheFungle]

Bing o said:

TheFungle said:

no idea

The point I was trying to make was that as an absolute beginner I could thrash my way round the course and still not be a million miles away from being close to a good score.

Bullst

Did I say I could hit a 10 under par on the toughest course in the world? No, I don't believe I did.

I'd say that for a given round of golf an amateur could score the same as a pro, could he do it over and over? Highly unlikely.

[TheFungle]

superkartracer said:

TheFungle said:

What sport would you guys say has the biggest difference between professional and enthusiastic amateur?

My personal vote goes for top level cycling.

As aforementioned enthusiastic amateur it astounds me just how much speed those guys can carry day in, day out, not to mention their bike handling skills.

Maybe you're just a poor amateur ?, how fast are you? what are your watts etc etc

Enthusiastic amateur? what does this mean, fat bloke or top club cyclist and Domestic pro.

My definition of an enthusiastic amateur is someone who plays/trains regularly, has an appreciation of their sport and takes the time and effort to better themselves.

I know that as a cyclist no matter how hard I train, my body will never be able to produce the figures required to be successful, that's not to say I don't want to make the best of a bad lot!

[TheFungle]

johnfm said:

TheFungle said:

Bing o said:

TheFungle said:

no idea

The point I was trying to make was that as an absolute beginner I could thrash my way round the course and still not be a million miles away from being close to a good score.

Bullst

Did I say I could hit a 10 under par on the toughest course in the world? No, I don't believe I did.

I'd say that for a given round of golf an amateur could score the same as a pro, could he do it over and over? Highly unlikely.

No offence mate, but you really are talking the bkiest bks in fluent bkonese.

Your ignorance is so damning and complete that it makes we wonder whether you are being serious or 11 years old.

It's not really ignorance though is it?

Based on my personal experience of playing golf I found it possible to fluke my way round, two good shots, on the green and in, this shows to me that on the right day, with the right lucky charm, the sun shining and the biggest slice of luck ever seen the plucky amateur could come close, would you say that's an impossibility?

From speaking with my very, very enthusiastic Uncle who plays several times a week he would say the one thing which defines the good from bad is the ability to play well everytime, something which in his many years of playing he has yet to master but makes those 'special' days all the sweeter.