Is there a sport Kelly Sotherton MBE can’t do?

On the track, Kelly Sotherton MBE IS one of Britain’s most decorated and talented track and field athletes with three Olympic Bronze medals alongside two World Championship medals. She’s swapped the track for the golf course and we caught up with Kelly to discuss her golfing journey.

I’ve always been golf curious. I needed a sporting challenge that wasn't running a 5km, something that I can do for the rest of my life and keep learning. The social aspect of the game was a huge part for me, joining a club and making new friends was important to me.

A lot of people have asked what made me want to start playing, and the answer is really simple. During lockdown I saw a few people that I knew playing on social media and I thought that looks like fun, so I joined them.

I received a great bit of advice when I started, and it was to get lessons, so you start off the right way. Knowing the basics go along way and it stopped some bad habits forming. Obviously, everyone has a few bad habits, but they won’t be that bad compared to if you didn’t take any lessons. I’m a coachable and patient person, I understand learning takes time and shouldn't be forced. I think when I do get better, I will be ultra-competitive. I'm already competitive with myself.

I find golf very relaxing; I tend to go to golf more when I am stressed, and it helps. I can hear some say, how does golf relieve stress? Well, for me, I'm in search of that perfect drive or that great pitch onto the green, which takes away the everyday stress, and I can purely focus on one thing. I also love being outside, and when you come from a sport that is outdoors all year round, I miss that.

I’m loving golf more and more each day, whether it’s heading to the range or stepping out onto the fairways. Being a professional athlete stopped me from taking up the game at an earlier age but trust me I’m making up for it now. I’d love to be a participant at a top-level sporting pro-am, like the one at Wentworth, and go on to show that anyone, whoever you are, you can do it regardless of where you come from.

Golf takes you away from the every day. You can play on your own or with a group. For me, it's relaxing, but also with a group it’s fun. Everyone needs fun and lols (laughs). Lols is a good medicine for the soul. I believe you need to have fun in everything you do to enjoy it, otherwise what’s the point in doing it. With the last year and what we don't know yet, golf is one of those sports that will benefit from having to be outside all year. And yes, I like winter golf.

My bag of clubs is like a heptathlon. There are different clubs for different scenarios. So, it is like different sports in my eyes. Power on some shots, technical on others, precision on others and endurance. Four hours of walking is long, especially when you carry your clubs yourself. It’s not so different from what I used to do, but only one pair of shoes instead.

Watch as PGA Professional Chris Ryan catches up with Kelly to see how she’s progressing as a new golfer.

Twitter: @KellySotherton

Instagram: @kellysotherton