The former Tottenham and England defender and now Sky Sports football pundit reveals his favourite places to play and stay. Interview Matt Nicholson
When did you first pick up a golf club..
I must have been about eight or nine when I first had a swing. I had a club – must have been my dad’s I guess – and I took it up to the playing fields at my school with half-a-dozen balls and just hit them back and forth.
I joined my first golf club, Catterick, when I was about 12. It’s right by Catterick Garrison army camp in North Yorkshire. I used to get dropped off at the club in the summer holidays and me and three other mates would spend six weeks playing golf every day.
It’s a great way to spend four or five hours with your friends when you have all that time on your hands, as we did as kids back then.
I’m a member at Wetherby Golf Club now, so I haven’t strayed too far!
What’s your earliest holiday memory?
As a young kid growing up in Yorkshire, we usually went to a caravan site in Scarborough for our summer holidays. I think I was about 10 before I first flew abroad for a family holiday when we went to Tenerife.
What’s your favourite golf resort?
I haven’t been to a golf resort for a holiday as such, but when I was playing for England abroad we’d often be staying at a hotel which had a golf course, or one nearby, so we’d always try and get a game in after a morning’s training.
England used to stay at The Grove in Watford before home games at Wembley, so I’ve stayed and played there a lot, although I can’t say that I played very well – it’s a tough track!
Who would be in your ideal holiday four-ball?
If I could choose a professional golfer, it would have to be Rory McIlroy. I’ve followed his career since he started out and I just love the way he goes about the game.
Phenomenal swing and a phenomenal talent. He’s sure to win some more majors, but it feels like it’s more of a mental hurdle for him now, rather than anything related to his physical game.
When I was at Spurs, a group of us would often go out to play – Gareth Bale, Brad Friedel, Kyle Walker, Carlo Cudicini and Paul Gascoigne, so any combination of those guys would be a fun group, although Gareth’s a bit good now, so he’d have to give us plenty of shots!
What’s your favourite holiday hotel?
I’m a big fan of Dubai, and I love the One&Only Royal Mirage. When it was just my wife and I we’d stay at the Residence, which is one of three hotels there, but now we’ve got two kids – a nine-year- old daughter and a four-year-old son – we tend to stay at the Palace, which is more kid-friendly and there’s more for them to do.
What’s your favourite city in the world?
I’m going to have to say Dubai. I’ve been going there for 15 years, and I know it’s not for everyone, but I’m a sun seeker, and you can pretty much always guarantee that it’s going to be sunny in Dubai, which is my top priority when I’m on holiday. I probably had too many rainy holidays in Yorkshire as a child!
What’s your favourite type of a meal on holiday?
I’m a big fan of Japanese food now, although it took me a long time to be converted, so I’ll always seek out a decent Japanese restaurant when I’m in London or when we’re on holiday.
Sadly, my kids aren’t really into it, so it’s more likely to be the hotel buffet now!
What’s your top travel tip?
Always be on time, and by that I mean always be ahead of schedule. I don’t like being in a rush at airports, so I always plan to get there early. It also applies to all facets of life – I don’t like to keep people waiting.
Other than that, it’s just a pair of shorts, flip flops, sunglasses and a passport, and you’re good to go!
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