If a beginner-intermediate flautist was to pick up a professional flute, would it be hard for them to play it? Or is it just called a pro flute because its better made and has more features?

Let me see if I can answer this one for you....

If anything a beginner-intermediate flutist most likely would have an easier time playing on a professional flute.

Professional flutes usually mean handmade or semi-handmade. A lot more time and work go into them. The best of the best materials and metals are used when making them. No corners are cut. Basically, the tech`s roll out the red carpet when making these flutes.

Extra features are also available on intermediate flutes now a days, so that doesn`t categorize a flute as a professional model. Granted, you do have a plenty of options and choices when you purchase a professional flute. It is enough to make your head spin.

My guess is probably not; possibly yes. It depends on the particular player. In some respects more skill is needed to drive a racing car.

In general, I think professional flutes, especially older ones, are more resistant in some ways but have more tone color and timbre possibilities

soooo..........
Well professionals may want more or less resistance. Different headjoints can tailor to someones personal preference.
Resistance may be good or bad depending on how you play.

I think a pro flute should in most cases be easier to play as long as it is setup right with no leaks.
But it MAY be be better for a player to learn on a harder instrument. If someone is used to only an easy playing instrument, if they go looking for a better one that actually has alot better tone, someone may think it is not as good because it is immediately harder to play.

AND actually I like to be proven wrong. It may not make me feel the best, But that is the best way to learn. Even if i disagree with the response I will have had the oppurtunity to know what someone else thinks.
LEARN to accept critcism already. Live in the real world.

To put m 2 cents worth in.
and sorry if this sounds harsh at times but is not directed at anyone in particular.

Generally (not always)
It is easier to play a pro model flute because beginner flutes are not as well adjusted with regards to pad seal and spring pressure.
To make a pro flute really sound like something may involve some expertise that a beginner may not have with respect to embouchure and technique. That being said, a novice can`t understand and develop the techniques involved if they are playing on a poor quality flute which limits their capabilities. Most often pro players have more than one working flute. Aside from the safety of having a back-up instrument, it gives the player a chance to work their embouchure in different ways on their different flutes. In a different way, one of my flute teachers bought a new flute every year and sold the older one. After the initial investment, it gave him a chance to keep a fairly new flute all the time and to keep improving good embouchure habits.

Because of materials, the pro flute may be more delicate and if given to an average beginner for an extended period, may result in adjustment problems or bigger accidental dents than a student model. This may happen as a direct result of the student or as a result of other curious students trying the thing out.

Usually, I`d recommend that students upgrade to intermediate models and sometimes models which have better features but silver-plated bodies because of the harsh enviornment of public schools.

~Bilbo
PAX out dudes