His precision and form are impeccable, with a seamless flow that makes his movements look effortless. Stephen Curry has dedicated years to honing his craft through rigorous training, endless practice, and his natural abilities. But it’s not his iconic jump shot that he’s been perfecting; it’s his golf swing.
While Curry has undoubtedly excelled in basketball, winning multiple championships and MVP titles, he can’t help but wonder about the road not taken. He often ponders what his life would be like if he had focused on golf instead.
Curry reflects, “There has always been that curiosity. If I had devoted as much time to golf as I did to basketball, could I have made it? We’ll never know, but golf has always been a contender for my attention.”
At 3 p.m. ET on Friday, fans will see a different side of Stephen Curry as he trades the basketball court for the golf course. He will be joining Phil Mickelson, Charles Barkley, and Peyton Manning in Capital One’s “The Match: Champions for Change,” airing on TNT. The event will take place at Stone Canyon Golf Club in Oro Valley, Arizona, with Curry teaming up with Manning against Mickelson and Barkley.
For many viewers, this may be their first time watching Curry play golf. Unlike other athletes who pick up the sport during their downtime, Curry’s love for golf runs deep. His father, Dell Curry, played golf as a hobby, sparking Stephen’s interest from a young age. Now, golf has become a passion for Curry, who often finds himself thinking about his next round even during the basketball season.
Despite basketball being his main focus and passion, golf has always been a close second for Curry. He often refers to golf as the “little stepbrother” of his sports interests. When the NBA schedule is released each year, Curry eagerly looks over the matchups and envisions the season ahead, while also mentally planning out when he could fit in some tee time during his travels with the team.
For Curry, golf is more than just a hobby – it’s a deep-seated fixation. While he knows that basketball will always take precedence, Curry has toyed with the idea of pursuing a career in professional golf in recent years. In 2017, he took part in the Ellie Mae Classic, a Korn Ferry Tour event, but unfortunately missed the cut after posting two consecutive 74s. The following year, he gave it another shot but once again fell short on Day 2.
Reflecting on his golf experiences, Curry admits that the nerves he feels on the first tee of a golf tournament far exceed those of playing in NBA Finals or world championships. Despite the challenges, Curry’s love for golf continues to motivate him to pursue his passion for the sport whenever possible.
Eric Risberg from the Associated Press highlighted Curry’s exceptional short game, noting the similarity between his jump shot in basketball and the touch required on the greens in golf. While the physical aspects of the sports are different, Curry’s feel and creativity allow him to excel in both.
Witnesses of Curry’s game have been amazed not only by his short game but also by his overall skill set, making his performance in golf appear effortless at times. Golf writer Will Gray from NBC Sports believes that if basketball was not a factor, Curry could compete at a professional level in golf consistently due to his well-rounded game.
During a round of golf with Curry at Spyglass Hill Golf Course in California, Golf.com senior writer Alan Shipnuck was struck by Curry’s size, noting that he may seem small on the basketball court but is actually 6’3″ with a Tiger Woods-like build. Shipnuck was impressed by Curry’s ability to hit long irons with precision, landing the ball softly on the greens even after hitting it 220 yards, showcasing his high-level golf skills.
According to swing instructor Travis Fulton, Curry’s golf swing is smooth, with no wasted movement and perfect rhythm, much like his basketball shot. He focuses on hitting the fairway and greens rather than trying to hit the ball as far as possible. Despite not playing much due to family and training obligations, Curry’s time off the court has allowed him to improve his swing, with his current handicap at a plus-1.5. He describes his game as tight and is enjoying the opportunity to refine his skills on the course.
While Curry may not be certain about pursuing professional golf after his basketball career, he is open to the possibility. With many successful years ahead in basketball, his future after the sport is still uncertain.
What Curry is sure of, however, is that golf will always be a significant part of his life. He values the sport not only for himself but also for how he can use it to connect with and help others.
Curry’s involvement in resurrecting golf programs at Howard University highlights his commitment to growing the game. He hopes to create more opportunities for young people from underserved communities who may not be aware of the joy of playing golf.
In his upcoming appearance at Capital One’s “The Match,” Curry is set to showcase his physical talents in a different setting. While there won’t be any jump shots or three-pointers, his smooth and graceful style will still shine through, making him feel right at home on the golf course.