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Features
Which England footballers are the best golfers?

published: Jun 23, 2026

Which England footballers are the best golfers?

Matt ChiversLink

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Who tore up the turf on the pitch and on the course?

Tommy Fleetwood and John Terry at Wentworth | Source: Getty Images

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  • Footballers golf handicaps

Golf is a massively popular sport among professional footballers. More and more have become involved in the game both during and after their careers.

They often pop up in celebrity Pro-Ams before tournaments get underway, and if you’re Gareth Bale, they can become invested in the sport on a regular basis, as he has done in various ambassador roles for TaylorMade and the R&A.

Footballers are often the envy of mere mortals who can barely hit the crossbar from 12 yards, but it is common that they excel with a golf club in their hands, too.

Events such as the Reignwood Icons of Football are where footballers jump at the chance to hit the golf course, and international players such as Luis Figo, Gianfranco Zola and Carlos Tevez get involved, too.

You will have probably watched most of these players enter the pro-ams at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and at the British Masters at the Belfry. Perhaps you might even be a member of the same club as some former stars of the pitch.

While we’re in football fever during this 2026 World Cup, let’s take a look at the handicaps of some of our favourite England footballers from years gone by…

Former England footballer Theo Walcott | Source: Reignwood Icons of Football
Former England footballer Theo Walcott | Source: Reignwood Icons of Football

ALSO: Plus 2! These celebrity golf handicaps will shock you

Footballers golf handicaps

Jimmy Bullard golf handicap

Jimmy Bullard golf handicap: 0.6

The former Hull City, Wigan and Fulham star suffered terribly with injuries throughout the latter stages of his career, giving him plenty of time to hit the course. Bullard turned pro in 2013 after persistent knee injury troubles and appeared on the EuroPro Tour as recently as 2013.

He is now seen on the golf course more than ever, and is a member at the Wisley. He is a presenter on Tubes and Ange Golf Life, a golf YouTube channel set up by Peter ‘Tubes’ Dale, a cult star from the now-defunct Soccer AM on Sky Sports.

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ALSO: Former Premier League footballer ‘not allowed’ at Sunningdale again

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Harry Kane

Handicap: 1.9

Harry Kane is England’s record goalscorer and a German league winner with Bayern Munich. We’ve known that this goal-scoring machine has loved golf for some time now, and his handicap is down to 1.9 at Beaverbrook in Leatherhead.

John Terry

Handicap: 5.9

Former Chelsea and England defender John Terry played in the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth in 2023, and his handicap is down on the list at this club at 5.9.

Alan Shearer

Handicap: 6.6

Alan Shearer is a former England captain and certified goal machine. He scored 148 goals for Newcastle and scored 30 goals for England in 63 caps. He is a member at Close House, not so far from the city where he achieved icon status.

Phil Jones

Handicap: 21-32?

It isn’t clear what former Manchester United and England defender Phil Jones plays off, but he is a very keen golfer and couldn’t find time while playing at Old Trafford for 12 years.

“I love everything about the game. I love the competitive streak you can have with friends, and I’ve played in a few pro-ams post-career. You always get those little jitters and those little nerves before the start of a game, and I don’t think there’s anything that can relate to that,” he told the Mirror.

Jermain Jenas

Handicap: 3

Former England and Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas is a very decent golfer. At the 2023 BMW PGA Championship pro-am, his mark was 3, so he has spent much time on the course since retiring in 2014.

Paul Ince

Handicap: 7

A general on the pitch and clearly one on the fairways, Paul Ince plays off 7. He played for England, Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan during his illustrious career.

Joe Hart

Handicap: 14

Joe Hart was England’s No.1 goalkeeper for many years and won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester City. The towering stopper from Shrewsbury plays off 14 – pretty solid.

Robbie Fowler

Handicap: 5.7

Robbie Fowler plays off 5.7 and is a member at Wallasey on the wirral, another single-figure former footballer. He is a legend of Liverpool, scoring over 260 goals in two stints for the club.

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Paul Scholes

Handicap: 4

Paul Scholes is a very handy player. He has been seen at many celebrity pro-ams down the years and is a popular figure in Manchester, having won 11 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues.

Lee Sharpe

Handicap: Scratch

Lee Sharpe is another former Manchester United player who loves golf. He has been down to scratch for a while now and also joined forces with American Golf in a line of clothing with Stromberg.

Teddy Sheringham

Handicap: 4

It seems Teddy Sheringham has the same mark as Paul Scholes, according to different reports. He is a massive lover of the game and has been since retiring from a career that saw him win three Premier League titles, a Champions League and an FA Cup.

Theo Walcott

Handicap: 10

Theo Walcott is one of many former footballers to have played in the BMW PGA Championship pro-am at Wentworth. It seems he plays off 10 and has enjoyed the game since spending his career at Southampton, Arsenal and Everton.

NOW READ: What clubs does Harry Kane use?

Are you shocked by these footballers golf handicaps? Have we missed any footballers golf handicaps on this list? Tell us on X!

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About the author

Matt Chivers
Matt Chivers

Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.

Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.

Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.

Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as the Masters, The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spoken to many of the biggest names in the sport.

Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.

What’s in Matt’s bag: Cleveland HiBore XL Driver driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, Benross BR-Pro irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.

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