Sign up for our daily newsletter

Want latest news, reviews, analysis, deals, and events, and offers from our commercial partners? We’ve got you.

Gareth Bale has announced his latest move on Transfer Deadline Day – albeit it’s perhaps not the one many football fans were expecting.

The golf-daft Real Madrid and Wales forward has agreed to become a global ambassador for The R&A in support of its activities to inspire new audiences around the world into playing golf.

Bale, 32, has amassed over 100 million followers on social media throughout his decorated playing career and shown a real enthusiasm for golf, playing off a handicap of 2.

• Gareth Bale has a golf course in his garden – really!

• Day reveals how close he came to quitting

He will join Niall Horan and Modest! Golf in backing a drive to encourage more people into playing golf, including women and young people, by using the power of influencers from the sports and entertainment world to broaden its appeal and boost its image.

“Golf is an amazing sport and it has always been an ambition of mine to encourage more people to take it up,” said Bale. “This is a really exciting move by The R&A and I’m honoured to be able to play my part in their efforts to inspire people of all ages to give golf a try.”

Gareth Bale Playing Golf

Phil Anderton, the Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said: “Gareth Bale’s passion for golf is clear for everyone to see and he will play an
influential role in supporting the new golfer initiatives we are working
on with Modest! Golf and plan to introduce this year.
“We
want to reach new audiences who are not yet aware of golf’s many great
benefits, including health and wellbeing, and believe that role models
like Gareth can help inspire more women and young people into the sport
and enhance golf’s reputation with millions of followers worldwide.

• Twitter reacts to Jon Rahm’s club-slamming

• Prince Andrew gives up R&A life membership

“We
see real potential in this approach and working to secure similar
arrangements with other male and female influencers.”

The partnership builds on The R&A’s appointment of Modest! Golf to work on developing a series of future grassroots programmes aimed at inspiring more people into golf and retain them within the sport.

Niall Horan, co-founder of Modest! Golf, said: “We are delighted to bring Gareth on board as Modest! Golf and I work closely with The R&A to reach new audiences and promote the game of golf. We look forward to more announcements this year.”


author headshot

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses

Latest podcast

The PLAYERS Championship