GARETH BALE is making a dramatic PGA Tour debut – just 23 days after quitting football.
The Wales and Real Madrid legend, 33, recovered from the bunker to par the first hole of the Pebble Beach pro-am.
Footballer-turned-golfer Gareth Bale shows his focus on day one of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Top professionals have gushed praise on ex-Spurs hero Bale for his golfing ability as the retired footballer now takes his ‘hobby’ seriously
Smiling Bale looked a world away from the stressful injuries and World Cup disappointment that marred his final months in the beautiful game.
Wales exited Qatar at the group stage and he barely played for his last club Los Angeles FC amid fitness concerns.
Now, though, the two-handicapper is looking relaxed as he takes on world class golfers in the USA.
The Pebble Beach event is held on three separate courses – starting on Thursday at Spyglass Hill.
And Bale shared a joke as he walked out to cheers before going through practice swings in a manner suggesting he was playing for fun.
But the ex-Tottenham attacker also proved he has the focus of an elite sportsman as he kept his cool after getting into trouble on the opening hole.
Bale not only got out of a bunker in style, he even had a decent shot at a birdie that he sent inches by.
Then, taking just a couple of seconds to compose himself, he tapped in for par as if he was a seasoned pro.
Bale is partnering Californian Joseph Bramlett, 34, who has a Fedex Cup ranking of 64.
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Their group includes Yahoo Founder Jerry Lang and Swedish pro David Lingmerth, 35.
The tournament switches to the Monterey Peninsula course on Friday and Pebble Beach the following day.
Leading professionals have praised Bale’s game over the past month.
US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick and World No3 Jon Rahm have led praise for Bale’s talent in the past month.
Rahm said: “I told Gareth, you can’t be so good at professional football and golf at the same time, it just doesn’t seem fair.”
Bale jokes with playing partner Joseph Bramlett at the PGA Tour event
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a golf course membership to play golf?
A membership to the golf course is not required. You will have access to all facilities on the course such as the driving ranges and the putting greens.
Is golfing bad for me?
Golf isn’t bad for you. In fact, it’s very healthy. Studies show that golfers live longer lives than non-golfer. Golfers also have a tendency to be happier because they are less stressed.
Is it possible to make money as a professional player of golf?
Yes, it’s possible to make money as a pro golfer. It requires dedication and hard work. Pros can earn millions of dollars each year.
How can I reduce my golf score by five strokes
The first thing you must do is to improve your swing mechanics. Although you may be able to hold the club properly, if your body isn’t comfortable with the swing, it won’t give you the right feedback. After mastering this step, you can work on your flexibility and strength. Begin slow and work your way up to faster distances. As you progress towards higher scores, your game will become more consistent.
What does an average golfer do?
The average golfer shoots around 80-85 yards with their driver.
What makes pros playing better?
Watching pro players play makes you better at video games. Learn from other players’ mistakes and improve your game. You can also learn from the mistakes of professional players to improve your game.
Statistics
- The blade aim at impact controls 92% of the ball’s start line, so prioritise face aim as a place to start (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- Trackman found that over 65% of amateur’s golf shots finish short of the target from 160 yards. (golfinsideruk.com)
- Stats reveal 96% of golfers play right-handed. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- This means as much as 50% of your practice time. (practical-golf.com)
- Shot Scope’s mapping data reveals 72% of danger is at the front of the green (sand or water), whereas there’s only 28% behind. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
External Links
faziodesign.com
golfdigest.com
- Golf Equipment: Bags, Balls, Clubs
- Golf Digest provides more great exercises to get you into shape in five days
flagstick.com
amzn.to
How To
How to improve your Golf swing
How to improve your game of golf
The key to improving your golf swing is to practice. Practice makes perfect! It is important to practice every day in order to improve your game. Continuous effort is required to make improvement. It’s important to practice at the least five times a week. To get results, it’s crucial to practice this consistently.
When learning to play golf, it is important that you start slow. You can start by learning how to play short shots. Then, you can move on to more difficult shots. This will allow you to build strength and endurance. When you first start playing golf, it is common to struggle with the swing. But if you continue to work hard, you will soon master your golf swing.
Try swinging from different stances. Try hitting the ball while standing still, then moving forward and back. Next, try walking backwards to hit the ball. Finally, try hitting the ball while running. Each swing requires a different position and stance. These exercises will help determine which position and stance is best for you. Once you have a good idea of which stance and what position is best for you, you can apply them in actual games.
Keep track of how you are doing. Keeping track of your progress helps you see where you need improvement. Write down everything you practice doing. Keep track the amount of practice sessions you take and your score. This data will help you determine if you are making any progress.
A professional instructor can help you improve your golf swing. A qualified instructor can show you how to improve your game and teach you proper technique. A qualified teacher can help you select the best equipment for you. You will be more successful if someone is skilled in their field.
Golf is one of the most beloved sports today. Every year, millions of people play the sport. There are many things you can do to help you play better golf. Some of these tips include practicing your swing, learning how to read greens, and improving your short game.
