Have you posted your goals online? Have you told anyone so that you'd be accountable? Not at least on this forum. "Most of us don't broadcast it to the world" -- true, that's part of the difference. He did. If he fails, you & the others can say "I told you so." But for now, your earlier statement about breaking 80 has been proven false. It's certainly one thing to say "I want to do this" and another to go all-in 100% and continue that everyday for years. I'd be lying if I didn't say I was skeptical of the plan when I first heard about it, then I was a little jealous - I'd like to have 6 years to work on nothing but my golf game, and I feel that's where most of the negativity comes from - others wishing they had the opportunity/means to do the same. How is his "telling the world" any different than any daily blogger?

Maybe if you can provide a compelling story that would bring fans to an event, you too could get a web.com exemption. We all know the sponsors exemptions are given mainly to people who bring crowds (Jerry Rice), but if Dan proves that he would be worthy how is that a problem?

Sure, Dan would like to parlay this into a career (either in golf or in some area from the "plan"), just like the rest of us, he will have to earn a living at some point. But many on here (including you & me) have given up the dream of playing golf full-time, so why is wrong for him to broadcast that he is trying to do so? Michael Phelps is heralded for his hard work & dedication, and he told everyone what his goals were for the last several years. Tiger verbalized for years his goal was Jack's record, and he worked extremely hard towards that goal. I don't see the difference in setting goals and working towards them, if you want to tell the world, you're just more accountable. It's just rare that the world listens before you reach those goals.

Don't get me wrong - I understand the basis behind your posts (& many others posts), I guess I just don't see WHY it's wrong/bad/stupid/whatever for him to post it & do the project. If it motivates a junior in the future to dedicate the time to the game, it's worth it. I'd much rather kids realize that it's going to take years to become good/great and putting focused time into it, as opposed to them thinking it's easy, or spending 10K hours playing video games.

Honestly, right now I'd rather be practicing my own golf game - instead, I'm returning emails, finishing house projects, and typing on a golf forum on a poker site! ha ha. Guess that's why game isn't improving.

It's not, and I find daily bloggers irritating and don't understand the allure. WGAS what some random on the internet had for dinner?

As you know, I'm against the exemptions Rice gets because he is in no way competitive. I remain consistent in this belief.

I don't think I've ever said it's stupid for him to do the project, but with all the publicity he is intentionally generating for himself, I don't buy the statement "it's all about the journey".

I'm not trying to hate on the guy, I'm just trying to clarify what are some misconceptions and statements in my opinion.

BO

I see your point doctor, but if I recall, this was about him becoming a golf professional.

"McLaughlin will play golf six hours a day for six days a week for the next six years in order to become good enough to play for a living."

I am sorry but that doesn't impress me and I don't even find it that interesting. Reeks of self-promotion, especially to the masses who think that it is even remotely possible to play golf for a living. Those people who think a scratch golfer is amazing.

And if it is about the journey, go ahead and do it. Why broadcast it to the world? Earn your ticket to the big leagues by playing good golf, not being given exemptions to tournaments.

SELF-PROMOTER. Obviously working a little bit as he has gotten some attention. Good for him, but don't expect the world to fawn at his selfish pursuit of false glory.

I don't know. I'm all for the exemptions.

What's the point of a Web.com event? It's not to decide who's the best golfer that weekend, it's so the sponsors can have a payday.

If this guy can help with that, good on him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPnudujlBZI

hugs and kisses,
DeathDonkey

Fair enough. I don't read blogs either - but then again - we're both posting on a forum.

Yes, and I agree that many qualified players DO NOT get exemptions. I'm with you on that. However, sponsors are going to give exemptions to who they choose, and there's a chance Dan may eventually get one. If he does, I'd hope he play well enough to be respectful.

You haven't said it's stupid (or maybe you have, I'm not going back to check), but others have. I don't think it's fair to say he's a "moron" for doing it. (I know you didn't say that, but someone did recently).

I think I understand where you're coming from on the issue. I get it's a 1/1mil shot to even get a chance, but I'll pull for him to get that shot, if for no other reason than to see how it plays out for him.

That is the goal. If you've looked at his website, the plan reads a little differently. From dan's site:

"It’s a project in transformation. An experiment in potential and possibilities. Through 10,000 hours of “deliberate practice,” Dan, who currently has minimal golf experience, plans on becoming a professional golfer. But the plan isn’t really about golf: through this process, Dan hopes to prove to himself and others that it’s never too late to start a new pursuit in life."

"Through his journey Dan hopes to inspire others to start exploring the possibilities life affords them. Though his isn’t an easy endeavor and is quite possibly impossible, if it inspires even one person to quit their day job and find happiness in their own plan, then the Dan Plan is a success."

I guess he is a self-promoter - as I would say I am as well, in addition to any business owner. I wouldn't say he is expecting the world to fawn at his false glory. A little harsh? What is the false glory? Success? Playing better golf? How is that different than Tiger fist pumping when he wins? Or Bradley screaming then promoting a company that pays him? Or any other individual sport or business? I don't expect anyone to fawn at my success at my career, but I do put hours in to promote that business, and I can assure you, it's not FALSE glory - it's a mortgage payment.

Sorry if that comes off the wrong way, but that's a harsh, blanket statement about someone you don't know, and obviously a goal/plan/life you don't understand.

I see it like a television show - if you don't like it, don't watch it. I don't like soccer, I don't watch it, but I don't call soccer players idiots for trying to be their best & working towards their goals.

Awesome times 10.

Yeah, I completely agree with dagolfdoc. I don't see how you could root against this guy. This is awesome and inspiring imo. I love reading his blog and checking on his progression. It helps me think about working hard at whatever I want to do and not wasting time thinking about it. THE TIME IS NOW. The odds are against anybody to achieve just about anything special at some point in time.

There are def some people who are jealous and wish they had the chance to put in those hours and be great at something. The thing is, most of these people do have that chance but they don't want it bad enough to really go after it the way this guy is actually doing. He isn't sitting around on the internet talking about doing something and then slowly quitting or letting the dream fade away. Guy started making some major moves and is sticking with them.

There are thousands of people that are actually athletic and skilled that know they would have a better chance to pull this or another venture off, but they don't even give it a go. This guy put himself in a position where he would be held accountable, and in return is giving himself the best chance to stick with this and get as far and good as he possibly can.

1 time for the dan plan. This guy and the olympics really got me in grind mode. I might have to contact him and find someone to work on my game with that doesn't shoot down dreams and actually has the desire that I want to maintain. TIME TO TRAIN AND WORK MY ASS OFF FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS! SEE YOU ALL WHEN I'M COMPETING AT THE GOLF OLYMPICS BABY!!! GOING TO QUOTE THIS POST AFTER I SHIP THE GOLD AND DAN BINKS THE SILVER!

I guess there are two things going on:

1) Will he be good enough to play pro.
JOKE. No way. That this is even a discussion is surreal. He won't be good enough to win a club championship at any course.

2) Is it self-promotion and is that bad?
YES, self-promotion. Opinion of mine that it is attention-whoring. That it is even brought up that he would get an exemption to a Web.com event is laughable. There are so many people that do exactly what he is doing and don't broadcast it to the world. Big deal that he plays golf 6 days a week, 6 hours a day. If he is so good, he will get in on his own merit, and that isn't happening even if he is spotted 10 shots a round. I don't think people really understand how good these guys are, and golf is not something that you can accelerate because you want to and have a great teacher and you create a blog. Marketing gimmick. Nothing more or less.

lol wat. Giving him no chance to win a club championship at any course??

And no, there are not many people that quit their job to pursue something they have basically no experience in, with the plan of motivating and inspiring others.

10 shots a round? Comon man...we get it, Lots of players under estimate how good these players really are. Regardless of that, you have a terrible mindset and outlook at things llike this.

Sorry bro - I didn't mean to slam your post. I understand now that you thought this was the "BACHELOR PAD FORUM" - now it makes sense - joke, false glory, attention, self-promotion. Enjoy the rose ceremony - hope your guy/girl wins. Sorry, this is actually the golf forum - we try to help promote golf, discuss the game, & help each other improve. If, by some chance, you actually meant to post this in the "GOLF FORUM" please explain your expert knowledge of tournament golf, and how your criteria for evaluating Dan's lack of talent to ever win a club championship.

Thanks, and now, gentleman, golfnutt... this is the final rose tonight, when you're ready.

I guess you mean on the PGA Tour - you can "play pro" - just declare yourself a professional (btw, we prefer "professional" as opposed to "pro").

How do you know he won't ever be good enough to win a club championship? Just curious on how you assess talent - I might want you to look at a few juniors I teach to see if it's worth them continuing to practice, or if they should just give it up and try something else.

Do you know how good these guys are? Do you know how hard Dan works? He is attention-whoring, interesting. Please tell me a few of the other of the "so many other people" who quit their job at 30 to pursue a career 6 hours/day 6 days/week and be held accountable. I'd love to reach out to them and hear their success stories -- oh, can't come up w/the names? Don't throw out mini-tour "pro's" -that's not the same. I'm into success stories, so please share!

Marketing gimmick - wouldn't he be making $$ if it was a marketing gimmick? The Sham-wow guy was a marketing gimmick, the Kallasy Swing Magic was a marketing gimmick, DAVE PELZ is a marketing gimmick. Dan, sorry, not really.

doc,

Haters gonna hate.

What he is trying is awesome and anyone who doesn't get it, they don't get it.

yep. You get it.

Yeah, but you don't post public blogs on every lesson you give.

Am curious about something, without going back through the thread I remember you talking about the round you playing with him although I don't remember if that was at your course. What I'm wondering is if Dan paid for his round and the circumstances behind such. Chances are if he didn't have to pay for his round it was 100% because of the media attention he has gotten. We both know it's not like the average Joe can just make plans to play various courses gratis.

BO

Very true -- thank goodness I don't - it would be a horror story sometimes!!

True - we played a few times. He never paid & was my guest. The first round was through my close friend who met Dan through his instructor Chris Smith (a friend of mine as well). He invited Dan to join us on a casual round. After the first round, I enjoyed the time w/Dan & invited him back a couple more times. The first round, though, was purely coincidental in that he was invited by a close friend & I wasn't going to charge any of them. He did receive free practice/playing privileges at Cartersville CC (about an hour from me) while he was in Atlanta - I can't say for certain, but I would agree those privileges came through the media attention/the project. I understand your point - most people cannot get free membership w/out something to offer (celebrity, advertising, etc). I certainly know several radio/tv personalities who use the media & their appeal to their advantage in our area!

FWIW, a few members of this forum have played at my course, and I've comped all of them, despite the fact I'd never met any of them. So, should anyone be in the area, contact me, I'll be happy to assist.

Here's dagolfdoc in action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12Ye9cgsuL4

Sorry, not that impressed. More impressed with someone that has a job that does it, and I know some that have put an amazing amount of effort and have done quite well.

But I will say my original reading of this was that he was going to make a LIVING playing golf and that was my criticism. Hip hip hooray.

He will inevitably fail and of course say it was all about the journey. I should have done the golfnutt triathlon plan. I couldn't run, swim or bike and I trained hours a day WITH a job and family. I should have gotten an entry to Kona championships because it was about the effort and not result.

Marketing. Nothing more, nothing less. Fooling yourself if you think this is that unique.

HA!! Awesome! Mine aren't usually that good looking! Classic video!

You finally figured it out, you SHOULD HAVE done something, instead you didn't, just complained about those who did. I knew you'd get the point sooner or later.

I actually did a plan. Just didn't broadcast it across the Internet or try to get into events that I didn't deserve to. Everyone has an interesting story and is unique.

Oh no, someone doesn't agree with your opinion on the Internet.

Sorry, I have been around golf too long and seen all the dreamers. But at least these dreamers could shoot 65 once In awhile. I know people that started golf late in life, took non-stop lessons and played as many hours as this guy, and did this while holding a job and having a family.

If this guy didn't throw in trying to make a living as a professional, nobody would care. Just one of thousands of golfers that want to reach their personal peak performance. Dan just marketed himself better. Good for him.

Guys, he spent 2k hours on a putting green, give the f'in guy a break!! Also, please take that into consideration when you hear his progress.

Here's a reason why I wouldn't say anything negative about Dan.. He might actually read this stupid thread.

Tx for continuing to be awesome, golfdoc.

Unfortunately, someone disagreeing with me doesn't upset me - it happens all the time. Ask my ex-wife. Or anyone who thinks the path affects the starting direction of the ball flight.

What does upset me is negative thinking; people who "talk about doing" instead of doing, and people who are sure they know everything about something when, in fact, they don't.

I'm not going to argue w/you that you've been around golf & seen it all.
Great. I'd love to hear their story -please post their names or invite them to the forum.

Can't argue many have made the same claims as Dan. Can't argue thousands wanted it & failed. But, unfortunately, you won't change my thinking with all your points - I'll still pull for Dan, and be positive to those who want to pursue their dreams. Sorry yours didn't work out for you.

Once again, please post your criteria for being able to assess his talent without ever seeing him. Thanks.

I just know a lot of golf degenerates that kind of do what this guy is doing. Non-stop golf. Buy every gadget possible to get better.

The only thing that made this a story was his proclamation of becoming a professional golfer. Would this topic hold the same interest if his story was:

"Guy quits his job, takes up golf, and plans to get very good"?