Meet the golf-obsessed footballer teeing off for his dad

Jay Bothroyd played in the Premier League, in Italy’s Serie A and wore the Three Lions for England – and even today still turns out for a Sunday League side. But now it’s all about golf for the former striker. And supporting a great cause.

As well as running a golf YouTube channel, Outtaboundz, with his friend and Golf Monthly Top 50 coach Trey Niven – reaching a new audience of sports enthusiasts who might not think golf is for them – he also jumped at the chance to support us following his dad’s prostate cancer diagnosis.

“It was a big shock for myself and my family. I always looked at my dad as someone who was indestructible. I’d never seen him cry or get upset,” says the former England forward, who will be a pundit at Euro 2024 this summer.

“When he first told me, because it was over the phone, it didn’t really sink in. But when I saw him I could see he was vulnerable. He was worried and trying to shrug it off, like he wasn’t really bothered. But because I’m close with him I could see he was.”

Fortunately for Jay’s dad, and everyone connected to him, it’s been good news so far. He’s recovering well from treatment and delighted to see his son using his profile to share their story.

“It was a situation I’d never been in before – no one I knew had cancer. As much as I was upset and worried, I had to show the level of strength he showed me when I was growing up. It was a really tough time, but now he’s had his surgery and his cancer is gone.

“My message for my dad would be to just enjoy life. Sometimes we can take life for granted; we hold onto the little things in life and get upset about them. Now that I’ve retired and I’m getting older, I’ve seen people around me getting ill and passing away. So you just have to live every second of your life like it’s your last.  

“It’s very important for men to know their risk, especially Black men, as there’s double the chance of them getting prostate cancer. I’d encourage all men to be on top of their health as well as staying active.”

Stuck in Japan during lockdown, Jay picked up his golf clubs and hasn’t looked back. And his new-found obsession is only growing as he seeks new challenges beyond his footballing career, including taking on The Big Golf Race at Hadley Wood Golf Club in north London this August.

“I started practising and having lessons at the end of 2022,” says the 42-year-old. “I did pick up a golf club a few times when I played football – we had charity days that I got involved in, but I mainly just drove the buggy and had a laugh!

“I was by myself in the house in Japan during Covid and their laws were more strict than the UK, so that’s when I picked up a club and started practising.

“I love it now, especially because it gives you that challenge. When I go to the golf course or pick up a club at the range, it gives me the kind of challenge I don’t have in my life now. When I was playing football, you’d build up to a Saturday. You’d know who you were playing and you’d compete directly against someone.

“The beauty of golf for me is that you think you’ve worked it out, you think you’ve mastered it, but you never have. So many times I’m having a great round, then the thought pops into my head – ‘you could shoot par today’ – and all of a sudden it’s just bogeys and double bogeys! But that’s the beauty of it. Because it’s so difficult and no shot is ever the same.”

Jay’s right. No shot (or not many!) will be the same when you’re playing 36, 72 or 100 holes in a day. 

“I’ve only played 36 holes in one day before, so it’s going to be really challenging mentally,” he added. “And imagine how many steps I’ll get in! I remember saying before I started playing golf, ‘how is golf a sport?’ Now I know! It’s mentally gruelling, and over 72 holes you obviously walk a lot. But we’re going to go out there – friends who are footballers and musicians will play too, hopefully – and enjoy ourselves and hopefully we’re going to raise a lot of money for Prostate Cancer UK.”

So like Jay, we’re asking for golfers to choose their challenge, get their mates together and take on 36, 72 or 100 holes in a day to help save men’s lives. One hole and one donation at a time.

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