INTERVIEW: A quick nine with Jonathan Bell
Joe Whitley spoke to last year's Faldo Series winner, who is set to make his European Tour debut in 2010.
1 Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m 18 years old and I have been playing golf for 13 years. I am currently playing off a handicap of +3 and am a member at Royal Blackheath. I also studied golf at college for two years. I am now playing the sport full time.
2 How did you get into the game?
When I was younger, my dad used to play a bit so he would take me up to the range with him. I was only five years old.
3 Talk us through a typical day
I wake up at 0715 and warm up so I am ready to practise at 0900. I then do three one-hour practice sessions before an hour-long lunch break at noon. After lunch I do a further three one-hour practice sessions and then go to the gym at 1630.
Last, but by no means least, I do an hour of stretching when I return home and then spend the rest of the evening relaxing. Sometimes my routine changes but, typically, a week for me comprises 32 hours of golf practice and 15 hours of fitness.
4 You won the Faldo Series Grand Final in November – what was it like to win such a high-profile event?
It felt great. The Faldo Series is becoming a bigger and better tournament every year so it is great to have got my name on the trophy. Meeting Sir Nick was awesome. Being a six-time Major winner takes a lot of skill and know-how so I learnt a lot from him.
5 What did you think to the courses over in Brazil?
They require a lot of shot shaping and skill. Most of the holes are completely tree-lined with trees blocking fairways from the tee. Generally, they are not very long but they become very tricky when around and on the green.
6 Rio will host the Olympics in 2016 and golf will be on the agenda. Do you see yourself playing there?
I think it is great that golf if now an Olympic sport and hopefully one day I can represent my country in the Olympics.
For me, I think that I would benefit from my experience at the Faldo Series in Brazil because you feel more confident going back to countries where you have won or at least played well in.
7 As reward for winning the Faldo final, you have been invited to play in a 2010 European Tour event. Do you know which event this is yet?
No, but I don’t mind because I am very excited about playing with the continent’s best.
To prepare for the tournament I will carry on doing what I am doing at the moment as I cannot imagine that the professionals are working any harder or doing anything different to what I am.
8 What are your plans for the next year?
My plan is to remain an amateur for the next two years and try to play in the next Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen in 2011. I then wish to go to tour school.
9 How do you feel you can improve and achieve this goal?
I feel like I need to become a lot more consistent with my long game as this part of my game lets me down the most.
Once I improve that I think I will win more often as my short game is up there with the best of them.
About Jonathan
Born: 31/8/1991, Sidcup, London
Club: Royal Blackheath
Handicap: +3
Career highlights: 2004 English U-14s champion; 2008 South East Boys and Sir Henry Cooper champion and 2009 Faldo Series champion
Team honours: 2009 England, 3rd World Boys Team Championship; 2009 England, Boys Home International champions; 2009 GB&I, Jacques Leglise champions
What’s in the bag?
Driver: Epon AF-101 (Diamana Whiteboard 73g X-Flex)
Fairway woods: Sonartec GS Tour 14˚/Titleist 909 F2 15.5˚ (Tour AD MD-8X)
Hybrid: Adams Idea Pro 18 Degree (Matrix Xcon-8H)
Irons: Miura Blades 2-PW (Dynamic Gold Super Light X100)
Wedges: Miura Custom Grind 51, 55, 59 (Dynamic Gold S400)
Putter: Yes Callie Forged
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x