Even though he’s not stepping away from the basketball court just yet, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is venturing into a different athletic endeavor. James, now 40, has shared through his social channels that he’s taken up golf, a sport known for its enjoyment and surprising level of challenge, even for top-tier athletes.
During the Independence Day holiday, James shared clips of his golf swing, mentioning it was only his second day “of officially giving this a try.” Considering his limited experience with the sport, James’ shots appeared quite respectable. Besides his technique, another point of interest from James’ posts was that he was driving from the professional tees, rather than the regular men’s tees.
James’ online activity quickly caught the attention of Golden State Warriors player Steph Curry, a proficient golfer and champion of the 2023 American Century Championship.
“Welcome aboard,” Curry commented. “We’ve been expecting you.”
While James’ outstanding career in the NBA has drawn frequent comparisons to Michael Jordan, it will likely be some time before he challenges Jordan to a game of golf. Jordan, known for occasionally playing 36 holes on game days during his NBA tenure, boasts a single-digit low handicap.
Leaving Jordan aside, it will be interesting to observe when James decides to test his golf skills in a competitive setting. Notably, The Memorial Tournament, hosted annually in James’ home state of Ohio, responded to James’ announcement by inquiring if he intends to participate in the event’s pro-am in 2026.
Currently, it seems James is happy dedicating time to his newly adopted pastime, as he also prepares for what will be his 23rd season, a record-breaking achievement in the NBA.
