Pro Golfers Who Started Late

Golf is a sport that requires a lot of practice and dedication in order to succeed at the highest level. Many professional golfers begin playing the sport at a young age, often receiving coaching and support from their families or golf academies. However, there are also a number of professional golfers who started playing the sport later in life, often after pursuing other careers or sports. In this article, we will explore some of the most successful pro golfers who started late in the game.

1. Ken Venturi

Ken Venturi was a professional golfer who began playing the sport relatively late in life. Born in 1931, Venturi did not start playing golf until he was in his late teens. Despite this late start, Venturi quickly developed a love for the sport and began competing in amateur tournaments. In 1956, he turned professional and went on to win 14 PGA Tour titles, including the 1964 U.S. Open. Venturi was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2013.

2. Ed Dougherty

Ed Dougherty is another professional golfer who started playing the sport later in life. Born in 1947, Dougherty did not start playing golf until he was in his 30s. Prior to becoming a professional golfer, Dougherty worked as a firefighter in Philadelphia. Despite his late start, Dougherty went on to win four PGA Tour Champions titles and compete in the U.S. Senior Open. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful pro golfers to have started late in the game.

3. Gary Player

Gary Player is one of the most successful professional golfers of all time, with nine major championships and more than 160 professional victories to his name. However, what many people do not know is that Player did not start playing golf until he was 14 years old. Prior to discovering golf, Player was a talented athlete who excelled at rugby and track and field. Despite his late start, Player quickly developed a love for golf and began competing in tournaments. He turned professional in 1953 and went on to become one of the most successful golfers in history.

4. Julius Boros

Julius Boros was a professional golfer who began playing the sport relatively late in life. Born in 1920, Boros did not start playing golf until he was in his 20s. Prior to becoming a professional golfer, Boros worked as a club pro and played semi-professional baseball. Despite his late start, Boros went on to win 18 PGA Tour titles, including the 1968 PGA Championship. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1982.

5. Jim Barnes

Jim Barnes was a professional golfer who started playing golf in his early 20s. Born in 1886, Barnes grew up in England and worked as a caddie before discovering golf. He moved to the United States in 1906 and began playing in amateur tournaments. Barnes turned professional in 1916 and went on to win four major championships, including the 1921 U.S. Open and the 1925 PGA Championship. He is also credited with introducing the modern grip and swing technique to the game of golf.

6. Sam Snead

Sam Snead is one of the greatest golfers of all time, with seven major championships and 82 PGA Tour victories to his name. However, Snead did not start playing golf until he was in his late teens. Prior to discovering golf, Snead was a talented baseball player and played semi-professional football. Despite his late start, Snead quickly developed a love for golf and began competing in tournaments. He turned professional in 1934 and went on to become one of the most successful golfers in history.

7. Bruce Fleisher

Bruce Fleisher is another professional golfer who started playing golf later in life. Born in 1948, Fleisher did not start playing golf until he was in his 20s. Prior to becoming a professional golfer, Fleisher worked as a caddie and played college football. Despite his late start, Fleisher went on to win 18 PGA Tour Champions titles and compete in the U.S. Senior Open. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful pro golfers to have started late in the game.

8. Scott Hoch

Scott Hoch is a professional golfer who started playing golf in his early 20s. Born in 1955, Hoch played college basketball before discovering golf. He turned professional in 1979 and went on to win 11 PGA Tour titles, including the 1987 FedEx St. Jude Classic and the 1996 Greater Milwaukee Open. Despite his late start, Hoch went on to have a successful career in golf and is regarded as one of the best players of his generation.

Conclusion:

While many professional golfers begin playing the sport at a young age, there are also a number of successful pro golfers who started later in life. These golfers demonstrate that with hard work, dedication, and a love for the game, it is possible to achieve success in golf at any age.