Aiming for pro within 5 years. Realistic?

skip100 said:
It doesn't seem like you are particularly receptive to negative feedback to your question...
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None of my answers are meant to come with a negative connotation. If that is the case, I am sorry, I was actually aiming for a more confident approach.

I guess I should mention I usually speak French, English is not my main language. That might be the source of some the misunderstanding here.


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Sounds like you have a good solid foundation. You know that pool isn't a get rich quick scheme or even a get rich ever scheme. You do it for the love of the game and competition. Don't let anyone on the is board tell you that it can't be done.

Check out this website: www.thedanplan.com. It can parallel your quest for pool dominance. It's based of the theory that anyone can obtain professional status in many endeavors with 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. Dan chose the sport of golf and it's his story that is ongoing trying to make the PGA from scratch starting at the age of 31.

Good luck and even if you don't go professional, the game can be a lifetime of competition, friends, and fun.
 
SamLambert said:
I answered in a post a big higher why I aim to be a pro pool player.

I'd say, from the comments I am getting, that I have sufficient talent. I've been told a few times that I will become very good.
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Ah yes you did, I missed that post, sorry. I like your answer by the way. It's no secret that the money is terrible in pool, and you don't seem to be action junkie, both will work in your favor in my opinion. In other words, you seem to want it for the right reasons which is good.

The next set of questions that might have already been asked are:
1. How badly do you want it?
2. What are you willing to do without in life in order to get there?
3. Are you the type of person that refuses to be denied in your endeavors? Gotta have the drive which it sounds like you do.

(You don't have to answer those, just keep them in mind).

Good that your "other half" is supportive. Contrary to what some might say, she should be an asset to you.

I hope you make it, best of luck!
 
A pro in 5 years? Hmm. Yes it's possible but first let's clarify two terms:

A. Pro
B. Successful pro

If you really want to be a successful pro level player, (enough to practice until you can't hold your arms up any longer) you will need more than just the skill and wisdom to win games. You will also need physical discipline and stamina, basic accounting and tax skills, public relations skills, experience with efficient logistics, basic internet skills, "salesmanship" experience, knowledge of basic marketing principles, knowledge of industry and sponsorship policies and politics, good hygiene, manners and schedule keeping abilities.


And that's just the basics...


Then you have the "pressure of competition"....where most mere mortals meet their doom, which there is no substitute for, other than the real thing.



You have a long hard journey grasshopper, better get started asap.
 
Can you achieve "pro" speed in 5 years time? Yes, with natural talent and the willingness to put in the time. Based on your speed cubing mention, I think you have the correct mindset to get in the practice. (There are some people who just refuse to do drills as they are "boring." I think drills are a shortcut to success.)

Will you do it? That is entirely up to you. Just reading this thread, I like your chances.

Brian in VA.....so not a pro....
 
Would love to see a vid of you playing the ghost or something. Gotta know how you got this aspiration after just playing since July.

In my opinion, no, not realistic.
 
On the Dan Plan - as a former junior and college golfer, I am pretty confident in saying that it is 100% impossible for anyone to become a successful PGA Tour player picking up the game at 31. However, it is very possible for someone with natural athletic talent to become good enough to pass the Playing Ability Test and become a certified PGA teaching or club professional.

It's also probably the case that it's impossible for someone to become a World Top 100 pool player having not learned the game as a kid - as well as the case that a 23-year-old with natural talent can become a damn good player with enough hard work and effort.

The critical difference is that there are 27,000 PGA members, the vast majority of whom are not elite competitors and almost all of whom make a decent living. How many "pros" in the world of pool don't have a side job and make a decent living?
 
Icon of Sin said:
Would love to see a vid of you playing the ghost or something. Gotta know how you got this aspiration after just playing since July.

In my opinion, no, not realistic.
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Sometimes people are lucky enough to realize their calling from day 1. They're in the vast minority for sure, but it's possible. It's been done. When you know in your soul that it's something you wanna take all the way, I'm not sure the amount of time invested changes that much. Sure the odds are against the Op as they are in all sports to play at a pro level. But it can definitely be a realistic aspiration after such a short time IMO.
 
Another thing you have working in your favor is the tools and resources available to you (instruction, books, video, communication with others, etc) are better now than they've ever been in the history of the game. Use them to your benefit as much as you can.

When I was 17-20 years old and had the same dreams, I would have killed to have these resources available to me back then.
 
Ron Swanson said:
Who are these 'pros'? One could become pro speed after 5 years if they started at 12 and played all day, every day, but it is virtually impossible to play so good later in life.

Statistically speaking, you have no chance. Sorry.
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You are only saying this because he's Canadian right? Jennifer Beretta went pro pretty quick like didn't she?

Sam, you can do it. Make sure your fundamentals are very strong first. The sponsorships will be flying in shortly.
 
skip100 said:
On the Dan Plan - as a former junior and college golfer, I am pretty confident in saying that it is 100% impossible for anyone to become a successful PGA Tour player picking up the game at 31. However, it is very possible for someone with natural athletic talent to become good enough to pass the Playing Ability Test and become a certified PGA teaching or club professional.

It's also probably the case that it's impossible for someone to become a World Top 100 pool player having not learned the game as a kid - as well as the case that a 23-year-old with natural talent can become a damn good player with enough hard work and effort.

The critical difference is that there are 27,000 PGA members, the vast majority of whom are not elite competitors and almost all of whom make a decent living. How many "pros" in the world of pool don't have a side job and make a decent living?
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That's what makes the Dan Plan so interesting. It's the nature vs. nurture debate as an experiment. The idea that talent isn't as important factor in becoming great at something but the desire and proper dedication. I just looked at his website for the first time in awhile and it looks like he is fighting nagging injury so age in that respect might be a big issue. Looks like he is about 6000 hours into it and is down to a 5 handicap.
 
think you already know your answers....
is it possible: yes
is it probable: no
will you make a good living: debatable
will you learn many things along the way regardless if you make pro status: yes, many
I for one wish you the very best luck !
 
dardusm said:
That's what makes the Dan Plan so interesting. It's the nature vs. nurture debate as an experiment. The idea that talent isn't as important factor in becoming great at something but the desire and proper dedication. I just looked at his website for the first time in awhile and it looks like he is fighting nagging injury so age in that respect might be a big issue. Looks like he is about 6000 hours into it and is down to a 5 handicap.
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Then Dan is good enough to be a PGA teaching pro - that's great progress and pretty cool. He'll need to get to about a +5 handicap (~10 shots per round further improvement) to be a successful PGA Tour player though. That's all but impossible for someone in his position.
 
Pff&httt

Ron Swanson said:
Who are these 'pros'? One could become pro speed after 5 years if they started at 12 and played all day, every day, but it is virtually impossible to play so good later in life.

Statistically speaking, you have no chance. Sorry.
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Bullshit.

If he dedicates himself to the game with the right knowledge and gains the right experience and the right knowledge there's no reason he can't get pro speed.

BTW op, pro speed is going to be about 730 and above on the Fargo rating. If you wanna know where you are and how you're progressing play in big table events that use the Fargo rating.

Jaden
 
Well if you go by the 10,000 hour rule (which is generally pretty accurate) 5 years only has about 44000 hours so you would need to spend 25% of every single day (at least 6 hours a day 365 days a year) to get in your 10,000 hours.

Playing games is ok, but not really good practice per say, and you should only count about 50% of the time spent "playing" as actual practice.

There are other ways to study the game through lessons (which you're doing), watching matchs, and reading books (Byrnes) that can dramatically increase your understanding, and help your overall game develop sooner.

Good luck.
 
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Go for it

If you don't you will regret not giving it your best shot. Play all the games while you are progressing:

9 and 10 Ball: Teaches you the correct side of the ball to get on and you will need power draw and force follow.

Straight Pool: Helps with your short game and patterns..short draw and follow shots

Eight Ball and Rotation; Patterns strategy and safety play

One Pocket: Patience and strategy and the ability to stay in stroke after many defensive shots

Bank Pool: Pretty obvious

Snooker: Potting ability

Best of luck

Wedge
 
DJ14.1 said:
Sometimes people are lucky enough to realize their calling from day 1. They're in the vast minority for sure, but it's possible. It's been done. When you know in your soul that it's something you wanna take all the way, I'm not sure the amount of time invested changes that much. Sure the odds are against the Op as they are in all sports to play at a pro level. But it can definitely be a realistic aspiration after such a short time IMO.
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You are right... sometimes... however most times people end up failing miserably due to unrealstic expectations and then end up making life much harder for themselves which sadly enough is something that would happen even if he does achieve pro status.

After a couple years of shooting I would still say it's probably unrealistic however after only shooting and being in the pool world since July of this year I dont think he really knows what he is asking for. He hasn't been to the Billiards Expo and competed in something that massive on an amature level. He hasnt been to a US Open or any other major pool tournament in person either so he has no real assesment of that let alone the bleek payouts they have even in the top position.

I mean, think about it. Our "sport" just ended it's World Championship for 9ball. Probably the biggest tournament in pool with the exceptions of the USOpen and Mosconi Cup... and what did first place pay out. A measly 30k. That isnt shit for being the best in the world at something. Hell Im just an average Systems Engineer and I make a little over twice that a year.

This is something you need to be doing for longer then a few months before you decide you want to commit your life too and that is skill aside...
 
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I don’t aim to make a living out of pool though, I really don’t care about the payouts.


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"Aiming for pro within 5 years. Realistic?"

No.
Not realistic at all.
Unless you have been playing for the prior 10 years as well then
yes, you could probably become a pro in another 5 years.
 
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