In January 2023, Welsh football player Gareth Bale made his professional golf debut. This happened exactly two weeks after he officially announced the end of his football career. In September, the multiple Champions League football winner was added to the membership list of one of computer golf simulators.
Bale is by no means a unique case. Quite a lot of football players are avid golfers. Many of them even managed to play golf juggling their professional career of a football player. Gareth himself once even got into an unpleasant situation when he missed training and matches of his club “Real” due to an injury, but it turned out that he played in a semi-professional golf tournament during that time.
Let us find out what were the other sportspeople, apart from Bale, who also were doing both football and golf, or even switched from one to another?
Harry Kane
The Bayern Munich football club player and captain of the England national team is one of the most talented golfers coming from the world of football. According to the information from Harry’s friends and acquaintances, the level of his golf performance is extremely high. Someone is even sure that if it was not for his such success in football, there would be one more top-class golf player.
Kane himself does not hide this hobby. He once even said in an interview that he spends too much time on golf, but that is what helps him succeed in football. He refused to explain it to the press how exactly these two disciplines were interconnected.
Maybe we should wait for the birth of Kane the golfer after the end of the football journey? Besides, before that, he plans to win several trophies with Bayern. Bets on matches of the German team can be conveniently and profitably made at the Pin-Up bookmaker.
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney is another legend of the England team. Rooney crossed paths with Kane on the football pitch, but has already ended his active career. Even while playing football at the highest level, Wayne could fit in a day of golf. Then he turned off the phone, took his sticks and went to enjoy the game on the grass.
Rooney has no extraordinary golfing talents, but plays for his own pleasure. Instead, he has a lot of friends who are golfers. Probably the most famous of them is Rory McIlroy. You can find many joint photos of men in social networks.
Josep Guardiola
Joseph Guardiola is one of the most talented and successful football coaches of all time. Many people believe that it was he who has had a dramatic impact on football. He is also a golf fan. He considers golf to be the best way to clear your head and get your thoughts in order. Once, being suspended for the next match of his team, Guardiola did not even watch its broadcast. At that time he was playing golf with his friends.
When Guardiola was asked about the future, he answered as follows: “Someday the time will inevitably come and I will become the coach of a national team. Then I will work no more than three days a week. I will have much more time for my family and, of course, for golf.”
Perhaps, just watching how the ball reaches the next hole, Josep is coming up with new tactical tips and tricks, techniques that bring success to his team?
John Terry
John Terry, the ex-captain of the English national team and the London “Chelsea,” found a new job and a new source of inspiration immediately after the end of his active football career. He plays golf at least three times a week. John is friends with many professional athletes and often holds friendly sparring sessions with them.
The titular footballer even has a prestigious award for the golf competition. He once won a tournament for the longest putt. Terry managed to send the ball 287 yards (262 meters). To understand this distance better, imagine that this is more than two football pitches. We cannot but mention that once Terry missed a decisive shot in the football Champions League from a distance of only eleven meters.
Andriy Shevchenko
The legendary Ukrainian football player, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2004, is also an avid golfer. Immediately after the end of his career, Andriy began to participate in professional golf competitions. Once he even shared with journalists the dream of representing his country at the Olympic Games.
Shevchenko’s signature “chip” is a very fast style of play. He can play a round in 2.5-3 hours, which is almost half the average. Nevertheless, it would be a huge mistake to think that Andriy hits anywhere. His speed does not affect the quality, but goes along with it.
Andriy very accurately explained why so many football players love golf and find their niche in this sport.
“Football and golf are completely different, actually they have almost nothing in common. I cannot draw any analogy other than the desire to win both here and there. The key difference is the temperament of the game. Football is active, fast, dynamic, with minimal time to make decisions. Whereas golf, on the contrary, is balanced, calm, and moderate. It is this contrast and striking difference that attract to this sport,” said the Ukrainian.