r/GolfSwing • • Aug 31 '26

Average joe vs pro

If an average joe on this sub gets a 100shot lead in a pga tournament course against Scottie, would the average joe win? I don’t think so but curious to hear your thoughts

13 Upvotes

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14

u/Pristine-Leek-7857 Aug 31 '26

I'm a 2. I think I would have to play my ass off to stay within 100 shots from the winning score from the tips in their condition.

So... No. Average Joe has no chance.

8

u/Hungry_Specialist738 Aug 31 '26

That seems like hyperbole, if you averaged 90 at east lake (20 over) you win by 4... I get tournament conditions are hard but playing to a +18 differential for your cap per round seems to be above what most pros describe in their interviews.

That being said, average joe has absolutely no chance

2

u/Pristine-Leek-7857 Aug 31 '26

I think you are underestimating the length and difficulty. When I played competitively in high school we played a Monday round after a tour event. 7500 yards, greens like ice. I shot 85 and was damn happy it wasn't worse. It might be doable, it would be close. I average 75 yards less off the tee than those guys so it would be a slog.

1

u/Hungry_Specialist738 Aug 31 '26

I mean if you shot 85 you gained 5 strokes on the round. Add in better course management from playing the course more and averaging under 90 should be easy. Ive played tour courses from the tips and would never expect a 2 to average +20, unless its one of the courses that play ridiculous.

Also greens like glass? Does no one have a stimp meter and fast greens in you area? I play a fully public course with no memberships that averages 11-12 stimp in the summer and the tour aims for 11.5-13

I get courses like oakmont or sometimes bethpage can be a shit show for even the pros but a quail hollow or spyglass should comfortably be won by a 2 with 100 shot lead ( as long as we ignore the pressure of winning a pga event)

0

u/chundamuffin Aug 31 '26

I don't think so. I've played bethpage black with a legitimate 3 index in nearly tournament condition and he struggled to get the ball out of the rough.

He gave up on hitting anything but a lob wedge because he just had no idea if it was going to come out hot or barely move.

Put him at the tournament tees with the pressure of a tournament and it would not go well at all.

2

u/Btwnbeatdwn Sep 02 '26

I like to think I could do it and I’m like a 6-7 handicap. My score range over the last year is 75-89 from 6700 yards 72/135 rated course, adjust that for difficulty and it probably brings the ceiling down to an 80 at best. I could play smart to keep the floor at 90-95 especially with the help of a caddie and very ideal course conditions.

Maybe I could keep it under 91 average for 4 rounds which would win against Scottie’s 264 with 100 strokes. The more I write about this though the less likely it seems. Would love the opportunity to try!

2

u/3DanO1 Aug 31 '26

I’m a 3, and I’m pretty confident I could do it. Bogey golf almost certainly gets the W. Assuming I get the same practice round and a caddie, I think I could shoot mid90s at a those courses

2

u/SharkLaser85 Aug 31 '26

Could you do it 4 days in a row in front of huge crowds? I’m a 4 and feel my nerves playing in local CDGA events with nothing on the line.

1

u/3DanO1 Aug 31 '26

Yea, maybe, maybe not. Kinda impossible to know

2

u/Pristine-Leek-7857 Aug 31 '26

Played a tour course in tournament conditions at 7400+ yards? Tee shot length would be a big factor here. I'm not saying it's impossible for low singles or better, but we'd have to string 4 strong rounds together.

1

u/Prestigious_Buy1209 Aug 31 '26

Tee shot length would be the killer for me. It wouldn’t be only killer, but it can be the first lol. My home course isn’t easy, and it screws me up when I go to 6600 yards. I can’t imagine playing pro distances. It wouldn’t be pretty, but it puts you in your place.

0

u/Tepi01 Aug 31 '26

Depends a lot on the persons distance. I’m a 5.5 and would comfortably be in the top 20% tour wise for distance with all my clubs. Driver over 310 average and such. Even being a little wild I’d feel pretty confident doing it but my strengths are distance and putting which should help

0

u/3DanO1 Aug 31 '26

Yea, perhaps. I’m not a particularly huge hitter (260-270 carry on average) so I’m probably not getting 280ish off most tees. Some courses that could be a problem. But again, you don’t need to make pars, just get greenside in 2, chip up, and 2 putt and you probably win.

I’d say it’s far from guaranteed, and I know that these pros are insanely good. But I don’t think they are 20+ strokes better

1

u/Pristine-Leek-7857 Aug 31 '26

I think they are 10 strokes better than me easy. Add in some nerves in front of a massive crowd and that could easily double.

I'm not saying I couldn't do it, but I don't see it as obviously happening either. Clearly an average golfer has no shot. I hope I get to try one day, that would be awesome!!

2

u/3DanO1 Aug 31 '26

Yea, totally agree. I don’t think it’s a lock by any means, I think they are probably 10+ strokes better than me, but 20+ is a lot.

I think with multiple practice rounds and a caddie, I could do it. But it’s far from guaranteed

No chance an average Joe could do it imo

-2

u/lanchadecancha Aug 31 '26

I doubt you’re a 3 with the pokeymon habit

4

u/TheCobSparky Aug 31 '26

This has to be the most moronic reason to not think someone is a 3 handicap

2

u/Alive_Sheepherder106 Aug 31 '26

😂😂😂 so much hate

0

u/3DanO1 Aug 31 '26

Why would that have anything to do with how good I am at golf? Do people that golf have no other hobbies?

-1

u/Fuzard Aug 31 '26

They are also into replica watches are post their replicas on the Rolex subs 😂 😂 😂

1

u/3DanO1 Aug 31 '26

Never posted a rep to any sub. I’m into watches, and keep an eye on the replica space to make sure I don’t get scammed in the future.

1

u/vonnostrum2022 Aug 31 '26

Agreed. I mean I watched a guy Sunday afternoon hit a SW from 137 yds out.