David became the professional at Coombe Wood in Surrey after winning the 1982 Coombe Wood pro-am. Turned professional at the age of 15 after serving his apprenticeship as a caddie at Effingham near where he lived. After National Service he spent a short period at Muswell Hill before becoming a playing professional at Gog Magog, Cambridge. After ten years trying to break through on the Tour, and a short spell at Leatherhead, David and three other professionals joined together to run their own course in Suffolk.