Nick Willis talks about his passion for golf
New Zealand’s US-based Olympic 1500m silver medallist Nick Willis talks about his passion for golf to spikesmag.com…
“My brother, father and uncle liked to play golf when I was on holiday in
Taranaki (New Zealand) and my dad would give me a club and I’d go hacking around the club as a five-year-old.
When I was 14, I was given a membership of a golf club - it was my best Christmas present ever.
I never got too serious on the competitive side, but I just loved to be out there every day. It was something I wanted to get better at. My mate’s would be happy arguing with each other and we would have a little banter. It’s been my passion ever since.
These days I don’t play (golf) as much, but sometimes I like to get out there and play nine holes just to take my mind off running.
I don’t get too competitive on the course, because running is my avenue for that.
I play a nine-handicap and I’m actually better now than I was, I think it is because I’m a late grower. I wasn’t big enough to measure up to the length of my clubs when I was younger.
I don’t hit the ball super far, but my strength is my course management.
I grew up playing on a course by the river, so I hit the ball with a very low trajectory which is handy playing on the links courses. A lot of the courses, though, in the States have very elevated greens and I struggle to judge my lengths properly.
I need to probably get a bit more height on my shots.
I watch most the Majors on TV and I keep an eye on the results. Last year I went to the
Buick Open, the first time I’ve been to a PGA tournament because I had an injury it gave me chance to watch the tournament.
My favourite players are Vijay Singh and Aaron Baddeley, the Australian. I’ve always liked Vijay's killer instinct and he has a New Zealand connection in that his dad lives in New Zealand. He’s Fijian Indian and my uncle was Fijian Indian and my cousins are as well. I also admire Aaron Baddeley, because he has been outwardly spoken about his faith as Christian.
I don’t think there’s a physical benefit to golf, but I think the patience and concentration you need for golf helps my running. In golf if you have a bad hole you have to remember there are other holes to make that up. In running if you have a bad race you cannot allow yourself to think you will have a bad season."
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