Spotlight On...
Paul Bagshaw
How long have you been a Pro and when did you know that was what you wanted to do?
I turned Professional at 19 some 23 years ago.
I had dreams of becoming a golf professional during my last few years of school.
Favourite course played and why?
I have been lucky to play all around the world, such courses as Pebble Beach, St Andrews and Sawgrass but my favourite is a course called Eagle Mountain in Scottsdale. The reason for this is I was playing an event in Arizona and on the first day of the event at Greyhawk GC I shot 87 having managed to get sunstroke. The second round (at Eagle Mountain) feeling so much better after fluids and a good night’s sleep I shot 60 and had a putt for 59, a score to this day I am very proud of.
Best result?
I have been fortunate to win many events at a county, regional and national level with my proudest win at the HSBC Strokeplay Championship.
Biggest tournament played in?
2006 BMW Championship at Wentworth.
What would you have been if you hadn’t turned Pro?
Something in sport and coaching I would have thought, a P.E. teacher possibly?
Most memorable moment on the golf course?
So many to choose from and a difficult question to answer, looking back I think it would have to be the very first professional event I ever played. With not having any success as an amateur and little tournament golf experience I was extremely nervous and somehow played well and managed to win. This gave me the belief that I could compete which I was able to take forwards.
Funniest thing you’ve seen when teaching?
I believe I have seen the top 10 all time funny golf shots (I’m sure, however, all coaches could say the same) and it happened to be one of my best friends that struck the shot.
During a playing lesson my said friend who had a tendency to hit it heavy on a regular basis (hence the reason for the lesson) was hitting a 100 yard wedge shot and right on cue hits it fat and, somehow, as the ball took off it moved forwards and left, now after impact into your follow though once your hands and arms reach about stomach height you will notice how the club face points behind you. At this point he manages to strike the ball again but absolutely middles it and sends the ball 60 yards straight backwards and behind him, genuinely the funniest thing I think I’ve ever seen.
Favourite player and why?
Tiger Woods. In my opinion the greatest ever. I admire his talent, work ethic and his sheer desire to be the best golfer he can be.
Away from golf … other hobbies and pastimes?
I love my running and some would say my obsession of running shoes.
Currently goal of sub 1 hour 40 for my next half marathon.
The best coaching tip you ever had and why?
Certainly the best tip ever given to me and what I try to instil into my lessons is “ball flight first”. The great John Jacobs was an advocate of this. Understand your ball flight and shot patterns and it from there you can make the relative changes to make you a better golfer.
And finally … your ideal fourball?
Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo as these are my two golfing heroes and if he was still with us my granddad that introduced me to the game and encouraged me through the years.
I turned Professional at 19 some 23 years ago.
I had dreams of becoming a golf professional during my last few years of school.
Favourite course played and why?
I have been lucky to play all around the world, such courses as Pebble Beach, St Andrews and Sawgrass but my favourite is a course called Eagle Mountain in Scottsdale. The reason for this is I was playing an event in Arizona and on the first day of the event at Greyhawk GC I shot 87 having managed to get sunstroke. The second round (at Eagle Mountain) feeling so much better after fluids and a good night’s sleep I shot 60 and had a putt for 59, a score to this day I am very proud of.
Best result?
I have been fortunate to win many events at a county, regional and national level with my proudest win at the HSBC Strokeplay Championship.
Biggest tournament played in?
2006 BMW Championship at Wentworth.
What would you have been if you hadn’t turned Pro?
Something in sport and coaching I would have thought, a P.E. teacher possibly?
Most memorable moment on the golf course?
So many to choose from and a difficult question to answer, looking back I think it would have to be the very first professional event I ever played. With not having any success as an amateur and little tournament golf experience I was extremely nervous and somehow played well and managed to win. This gave me the belief that I could compete which I was able to take forwards.
Funniest thing you’ve seen when teaching?
I believe I have seen the top 10 all time funny golf shots (I’m sure, however, all coaches could say the same) and it happened to be one of my best friends that struck the shot.
During a playing lesson my said friend who had a tendency to hit it heavy on a regular basis (hence the reason for the lesson) was hitting a 100 yard wedge shot and right on cue hits it fat and, somehow, as the ball took off it moved forwards and left, now after impact into your follow though once your hands and arms reach about stomach height you will notice how the club face points behind you. At this point he manages to strike the ball again but absolutely middles it and sends the ball 60 yards straight backwards and behind him, genuinely the funniest thing I think I’ve ever seen.
Favourite player and why?
Tiger Woods. In my opinion the greatest ever. I admire his talent, work ethic and his sheer desire to be the best golfer he can be.
Away from golf … other hobbies and pastimes?
I love my running and some would say my obsession of running shoes.
Currently goal of sub 1 hour 40 for my next half marathon.
The best coaching tip you ever had and why?
Certainly the best tip ever given to me and what I try to instil into my lessons is “ball flight first”. The great John Jacobs was an advocate of this. Understand your ball flight and shot patterns and it from there you can make the relative changes to make you a better golfer.
And finally … your ideal fourball?
Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo as these are my two golfing heroes and if he was still with us my granddad that introduced me to the game and encouraged me through the years.