Golf is a popular sport all over the world. It’s not surprising that we often see professional athletes having a swing in their spare time. With so many professional athletes deciding to take up golf, you may wonder why golf is such a popular sport amongst
In the article below, we are going to cover all you need to know about why pro athletes love the game of golf. We have a lot to cover so let’s get started.
1.) It’s A Sport With A Low Chance Of Injury
Golf is a low-risk hobby for professional athletes. Impact injuries are extremely rare and muscle injuries are infrequent. This makes golf the perfect activity for pro athletes to unwind while not putting themselves at risk of injury.
Most injuries that professional golfers suffer are related to repetitive movements made over several years. Professional athletes won’t be exposed to these same movements because they won’t be putting in anywhere near as much practice.
Therefore, athletes can enjoy a round of golf safe in the knowledge that it isn’t going to hamper their performance in their own sport.
2.) It Takes Their Mind Away From Their Own Pressures
We’re all aware of how much money professional athletes make, but that doesn’t take away from the fact they are under immense pressure each time they perform. Expectations on professionals, particularly those at the top of their trade, can be crippling.
Pro athletes need to find a hobby that relaxes them and takes their minds away from their profession when they’re not playing or training. Golf can be a great excuse to get out of the house for an afternoon and take your mind away from the stresses in life.
3.) Golf Is Competitive Like Other Pro Professions
Professional athletes feed off a competitive edge. They need a hobby that can challenge and push them. Golf offers a strong element of competitiveness which professional athletes love.
Whether it’s trying to bring their handicap down or simply trying to beat their playing partners on any given day, golf is a great sport for people with drive and desire.
4.) Golf is Fun
Lastly and most important, golf is fun! If it wasn’t then it wouldn’t be played on every continent in the world apart from Antarctica. Professional athletes aren’t robots, they enjoy having fun just like the average person and golf provides them with that.
What Ex-Athletes Are Elite Golfers?
Countless professional athletes all over the world are elite golfers, so it would be impossible to name all of them. Here are three of the best, from three different sports:
Pete Sampras
Pistol Pete is best known for his incredible tennis career where he picked up a whopping 14 grand slam titles over his 14-year career.
Sampras is also an exceptional golfer with a handicap of 0.5 Considering grass was his favorite tennis surface, it’s not all that surprising that he is also a natural on the greens.
Tony Romo
Tony Romo is widely regarded as the best professional athlete turned golfer of all time. At his peak, he had a handicap of +3.3 and once nearly qualified for the US Open.
Most famous for being a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Romo can also boast that he once beat Tiger Woods in a round of golf.
Jimmy Bullard
Jimmy Bullard is an ex-professional Soccer player who enjoyed a prosperous career with a number of different Premier League clubs.
After he retired, Bullard had a go at qualifying for the European Tour but narrowly missed out. He currently has a handicap of +1.
Has A Retired Pro Athlete Ever Had A Second Career As A Pro Golfer?
A couple of professional athletes have enjoyed second careers as professional golfers after retiring from their primary sport. The aforementioned Tony Romo has played in four USPGA tournaments while back in the 1940s, ex-baseball star Sam Byrd became the first and only athlete to compete in both the World Series and the Masters.
Final Thoughts
Golf is a great way for professional athletes to relax and recharge. It’s the perfect activity to take their mind off their pro gig while being low impact on their body.
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