Stuart Dallas

Dallas began his football career at Coagh United and Crusaders in his home country, before moving to England for the first time when signing for Brentford.

The 34-year-old played over 250 games for Leeds and represented Northern Ireland 62 times, including at Euro 2016.

In his retirement, Dallas has picked up golf and started taking lessons. Here, he spoke to us about what he has learned from his sessions with a PGA Coach and how he is looking to get better on the golf course.

What was your first golf lesson?

“I’ve always been able to hack my way around the course, and then when I retired, I’ve got a lot more time on my hands, so I thought why not try and play golf.

“I play out of Moor Allerton – it’s a really hard course for someone who’s only beginning as well.

“The PGA Professional there, Lewis Clarke, I started taking lessons with him. There was a lot of changes needed but I wouldn’t say I was nervous. Lewis has been really good with me and all the guys up there.

“George Carroll is in there as well. It’s a sport I’m becoming addicted to, I’m still not very good. I played in a pro-am last year, I shouldn’t have been anywhere near it with the standard I was playing, but it was me, Steve Davis, Aaron Hughes and our pro was Marc Warren.

“I enjoy just going out on the course, even by myself - just a few hours peace is a good thing. With Moor Allerton as well, you can just go and play nine holes.”

What was the first thing Lewis said to you about your swing?

“Whenever I’ve played golf, I’ve never interlocked my fingers. He said I need to start gripping it properly.

“That was the first thing and my swing as well. I’m very ’up and chop across it’ which was causing a slice. (I was) trying to adjust that, and slow everything down as well. I used to strangle the club (and now) I’m a lot smoother with it. He’s a really good coach.

What key parts from your lessons do you think of when stood over the ball?

“With my shoulders when I lined up, they were turned to the left, and I was coming down over and slicing it.

“I’m squaring my shoulders up and my weight as well, especially with my driver, getting my hips swinging.

“As an ex-footballer, my hips are pretty stiff. All of what he says makes sense, but then it’s about putting it into practice.

How long have you been playing?

“Since last April when I retired, I’ve started playing a lot more. Before that, I’ve always been able to go and play in a golf day.

“I want to be half decent. I can get down to 12, 13 or 14 handicap – but if I do get down to that, I’ll want more. But that’s what I’m like, I’m competitive.

How vital are lessons if you want to improve as a golfer?

“It depends how seriously you want to take it. If you’re just there for a laugh, and you want to go out for four or five hours with your mates, you don’t really want to take lessons.

“But lessons are good. The number of bad habits I was in – if you’re thinking about taking lessons in a couple of years’ time, I’d do it now.

“You don’t want to get into these bad habits. You want to nip it in the bud as quickly as you can.”