Why Golf?

Why would you choose golf?, it takes hours to play and you can spend most of that time wondering if you are actually achieving anything.

I started life like most kids in England, with a football at my feet. I played on the streets as a kid and in the parks for local teams. Moving to Kent when I was around 11 never changed my ambition of becoming a professional footballer. Like most players I ended up in a political battle at junior level. I have always appreciated parents giving up their weekends in order to run local junior teams. When sponsorship and personal reasons came before the good of the team, I begun to struggle.

After 3 years of this battle, I decided to stop playing football. I was then introduced to Cricket, which I enjoyed for 2 years. I played for the local men's village team and a local U15's colts Team. Again it seemed at colt level, personal views on how a Cricket team should be run got in the way of any enjoyment.

So what was there to do next?

Next would see my dad introduce me to golf. This came off the back of my claim I wanted to play an individual sport. Luckily for me at the time, my best friend that I had played football and cricket with, decided that something individual was a good idea. We were quickly hooked and spent months going round the local 9 hole desperate to improve. In a natural progression, I moved to becoming a member of Moatlands G.C as a junior.

Although I ventured back to Football after finishing as a Professional golfer in my early 20's, I experienced League wins, a cup win and numerous other achievements. I never got the sense of pride or the self desire to improve, the way I did with golf. At 29 I retired from football and decided to concentrate back on my golf. I had been lucky enough never to sustain any serious injuries, but some injuries would see me out of golf for weeks.

I still believe that playing Football has made me the Golfer I am today. In football you have to be mentally ruthless or be eaten alive. Winning football matches from losing positions and holding out in games, gave me the ruthless mentality to find golf shots late on in rounds, as well as giving the patience to hold on to what I already have.

So to answer my question of why golf?

With the experiences I have gained through my life, I have found a sport that keeps me focused and competitive.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to find out why I chose golf, I would love to hear why you chose the game

GOC