Since retiring from professional tennis last year, two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has been spending considerable time pursuing a different sporting passion. The 38-year-old Scottish athlete has traded tennis courts for golf courses, setting himself ambitious new targets in the world of golf.
From Tennis Champion to Golf Enthusiast
Murray officially retired from tennis after the Paris Olympics, following an injury-plagued conclusion to his remarkable career. His brief coaching partnership with Novak Djokovic lasted just six months, after which the sporting icon turned his attention to golf. Murray has been actively participating in multiple Pro-Am golf competitions, demonstrating his serious commitment to his new sporting interest.
The three-time Grand Slam winner has been working diligently to improve his game, currently playing off a handicap of two. Shortly after his final tennis match at the Olympics, Murray shared footage of his golf swing online, captioning it: "First ever golf lesson today on the journey to become a scratch golfer. Any tips welcome!"
The Caddy Dream Job
Murray's golf ambitions extend beyond simply playing the game. He has revealed that becoming a professional golf caddy represents his "dream job". This aspiration isn't new - back in 2021, when discussing post-tennis plans with The Gentleman's Journal, Murray identified being a "bagman" as his top choice.
"I love sport so something else that would interest me post-playing would be working in another sport," Murray explained. "Being a caddy on a golf tour would be exciting – to be up close and personal with top golfers and to learn about another sport like that."
Earlier this month, during an appearance on The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Murray confirmed that this ambition remains strong. He specifically mentioned Robert MacIntyre as his dream golf partner, imagining the thrill of carrying the Scottish golfer's bag during his Open Championship victory.
"I'm considering becoming a golf caddy, hopefully for a professional golfer at some stage," Murray stated. "I love golf and if you love that sport, it would be a great job. If you are working with a top golfer and being there when they have a great moment on the course and feeling like you can help a little bit with decisions and things like that, I think it would be a brilliant job."
Family Perspective on Golf Obsession
With Murray now dedicating significant time to golf, his wife Kim Sears' perspective on his new hobby has emerged. Murray believes Kim is perfectly content with his golfing pursuits, joking that "I don't think she wants me in the house all day bothering her, to be honest."
The arrangement works provided Murray handles school drop-off and pick-up duties for their children. "I don't think she massively wants to see me during the day, [at least] that's what I think," he added humorously.
Murray's newfound passion hasn't gone unnoticed by his children either. He told The Times: "My kids think I'm a golfer. They say, 'Daddy, why do you play every day?'" The tennis legend explained that back issues had prevented him from playing golf for nearly twelve years, making his current ability to enjoy the game particularly meaningful.
Realistic Golf Ambitions
Despite his enthusiasm for golf, Murray maintains realistic expectations about his potential in the sport. While he plans to attempt regional qualifying for The Open Championship in the future, he has no illusions about turning professional.
"I don't have ambitions of playing in the Open," Murray clarified in September. "I want to try and play in the regional qualifying at some stage. A couple of my friends have done it. It would just be a fun thing to do if you got to the level where you're able to do that."
Murray fully acknowledges the vast gap between amateur and professional golf standards, noting that "even guys that play off +2, +3 are miles off what these guys on the Tour are doing."
Before the Paris Olympics, Murray had already outlined his retirement plans, stating: "I'll play a lot of golf. I want to become a scratch golfer. I've always loved playing golf, but because of the issues with my back, I haven't played for five or six years." His current dedication to golf represents both a new challenge and a return to a previously inaccessible passion.
