You have a long way to go to be on the nationwide tour at a 7 handicap as Nationwide Tour players are professionals.  You should look into something like the Golf Channel AM Tour where you can compete with other players at your handicap.  They play some awesome courses by the way.

Never give up on your dreams! 

I just wanted to say thanks to Syklar T to replying to my message. I was starting to think no one would respond. I think u make a valid point about setting my goals at the Nationwide and made a VERY good point about the Golf Channel AM Tour!

And that was my very reason for posting this, to find an area to be competitive in and grow but not shoot myself in the foot. They do play awesome course with different levels for different skill level of players. I had heard of it but blindly forgotten it due to my blinders being on.

So all in all thanks again for replying and reminding me to never give up on my dreams or myself. This is why I love being apart of Team Titliest

Hi Nick,

I'll give you another perspective. I'm 49 and have been playing avidly as a single-digit hcp since I was 14. Up until 5 years ago, I was always working & traveling too much to have time for competitive golf. 10 years of full-time travel ended 5 years ago. After readjusting to a more normal life at home, I got into state level competition. I live in Northern Massachusetts, but since I'm a member at a club in New Hampshire, I compete in N.H., which is a little less cutthroat than Mass. So I'm scheduled to play in a State Am qualifier, (hopefully) the State Am (36 holes stroke-play, top 64 make match-play), the Stroke-Play Championship (4 rounds with a cut after 2nd round), the Mid-Am (54 holes, cut after 2nd round).

All this to say that you can find plenty of challenges at the State level. Those events are probably much less costly than "for-profit" tours.

Good Luck!

Always can start at the city or county championships.  These are flighted play so you are matched with others of the same handicap.  

Shades of Tin Cup...  Playing in state Golf Association qualifying tournaments can lead to a slot at the USGA Open.  USGA has numerous levels of amateur tournaments, so in 18 years, Nick can then play into the Senior's Open.  The Golf AM Tour is a great option to municipal play and costs less than the typical club membership, but is not tied to a tour advancement. 

Hey it's Nick again,

  I just wanted to say thanx again to all of you who replied to my question.  You all have giving me alot of options to go out and try and play, but most of all alot more faith in myself, my game and for that I'm thankful for everyone of Team Titleist members 80)......by the way congrats to Jason on win #2!!!!

In my experience the Championship is far from Sandbagging. Just list yourself as scratch, enter as many as you can for the experience and just play. The more you find yourself in the hunt or in a group with better golfers, it will enhance your game. May sound simple, but until you get yourself in the fight, you'll never know. Best O' Luck.