Nina Caldwell
Bubba Watson, born in Bagdad, Florida, is an American professional golfer known for his two Major championships and powerful drives. He began playing golf at the age of six with a cut-down 9-iron provided by his father, who taught him the basics of the game. Bubba practiced by hitting whiffle balls around his house and has never had a professional golf lesson, instead, he takes pride in being self-taught. He played golf for Faulkner State Community College in Alabama, where he was a junior college All-American, and later transferred to the University of Georgia, where he met his wife, Angie, a former professional basketball player. Bubba turned professional in 2001 and has since established himself as one of the most eccentric and successful golfers, known for his powerful drives and unique style of play, often referred to as Bubba Golf.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Started playing golf | Age 6 |
| Father's involvement | Taught him the basics and provided a cut-down 9-iron for practice |
| Practice methods | Hitting whiffle balls around the house and backyard |
| Golf education | Self-taught, never had a professional lesson |
| Collegiate golf career | Faulkner State Community College, University of Georgia |
| Professional career | Turned professional in 2001 or 2002, joining the Nationwide Tour |
| Notable achievements | Two Masters victories (2012, 2014), powerful drives, one of few left-handed golfers on PGA Tour |
| Spouse | Angie Watson (née Angela Ball), a former professional basketball player |
| Children | Adopted |
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What You'll Learn
Bubba Watson is self-taught
Bubba Watson is a left-handed golfer who is entirely self-taught. He started playing golf at the age of six with a cut-down 9-iron given to him by his father, who also taught him the basics of the game. Watson honed his skills by practising with whiffle balls around his house and later joined his high school golf team. He continued to play competitive golf in college, first at Faulkner State Community College in Alabama, where he was a junior college All-American, and then at the University of Georgia, where he played for the Bulldogs in 2000 and 2001.
Despite his father's early encouragement, Watson has never had a professional golf lesson and is proud of being self-taught and untutored. He turned professional in 2002 and joined the Nationwide Tour, where he played until 2005. In his rookie year on the PGA Tour in 2006, he led all professionals in driving distance, averaging 319.6 yards per drive, with his longest PGA drive measuring 442 yards.
Watson's unique style of play, dubbed "Bubba Golf," combines power with a lack of straight shots, instead relying on big cuts or draws to limit his misses to one side of the golf course. This style has helped him achieve success in major championships, including winning the Masters Tournament in 2012 and 2014 and reaching second place in the world rankings in 2015.
In addition to his golfing prowess, Watson is known for his business acumen, sense of humour, and devotion to his family. He has also been open about his mental health struggles and his and his wife's journey to adopting their children. Watson's success in golf has brought him fame and recognition, including invitations to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and a following of over 1.1 million people on Twitter.
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His father gave him a cut-down 9-iron at age six
Bubba Watson's journey in golf began at a young age. At six, his father, Gerry, gave him a cut-down 9-iron, marking the start of his golf career. Watson practised by hitting whiffle balls around his house, a testament to his early passion for the sport. Gerry, a former Green Beret, taught him the fundamentals of golf during these formative years. Notably, Watson has never had a professional golf lesson; instead, he takes pride in being self-taught and honing his skills through dedication and practice.
Watson's height became an advantage in his golfing career. Standing at 6'3", he towered over most of his peers. He met his wife, Angie Watson, while they were both students at the University of Georgia. Angie, a former professional basketball player, stands at an impressive 6'4" making Bubba one of the few people shorter than his partner.
As a junior college student, Watson attended Faulkner State Community College in Alabama, where he excelled as an All-American golfer. He then transferred to the University of Georgia, continuing his golf career with the Bulldogs in 2000 and 2001. During his junior year, Watson showcased his talent by helping the Bulldogs secure the SEC title in 2000.
Watson turned professional in 2002 and embarked on his journey in competitive golf. He joined the Nationwide Tour, where he played until 2005, consistently improving his skills. In his first year on the PGA Tour in 2006, Watson's talent became evident as he led all professionals in driving distance, averaging an impressive 319.6 yards per drive. His longest PGA drive was an exceptional 442 yards.
Beyond his golfing prowess, Watson has also ventured into the business world. He launched his clothing line, "Bubba Golf," showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit. Additionally, his sense of humour and willingness to engage with fans have made him a popular figure beyond the golf course. Watson's success in golf, combined with his approachable personality, has garnered him a dedicated following.
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He practised by hitting whiffle balls around the house
Bubba Watson is an American professional golfer known for his two Major championships and powerful drives. He is one of the few left-handed golfers on the PGA Tour and one of the few players to have won the Masters more than once.
Watson started playing golf at the age of six with a cut-down 9-iron provided by his father, who also taught him the basics of the game. Notably, Watson practised and honed his skills by hitting whiffle balls around the house. This early exposure to golf laid the foundation for his future success in the sport.
Watson's father, Gerry, was a former Green Beret who played a pivotal role in his son's golfing journey. In addition to providing the cut-down 9-iron, Gerry taught Watson how to hit whiffle balls in their backyard. This unconventional training method allowed Watson to develop his unique style, characterised by powerful swings and a preference for cut or draw shots over straight ones.
Watson's dedication to the sport was evident from an early age. He continued to refine his skills while playing for his high school golf team at Milton High School. Alongside fellow future Tour pros Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum, Watson laid the groundwork for a successful golfing career.
The practice with whiffle balls in his early years contributed significantly to Watson's overall development as a golfer. It helped him cultivate a strong connection with the sport and a deep understanding of its fundamentals. This unconventional training method, guided by his father's persistence for improvement, set the tone for Watson's journey towards becoming a self-taught golfing champion.
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Bubba played golf in college
Bubba Watson began playing golf at the age of six with a cut-down 9-iron provided by his father, who also taught him the basics of the game. Watson practised by hitting whiffle balls around his house and has never had a professional golf lesson, instead taking pride in being self-taught.
Watson continued to play competitive golf in college, first at Faulkner State Community College in Alabama, where he was a junior college All-American. He then transferred to the University of Georgia, the defending NCAA champions, and played for the Bulldogs in 2000 and 2001. As a junior, Watson helped lead the Bulldogs to the SEC title in 2000.
Watson met his future wife, Angie, while at the University of Georgia. Angie, who is 6'4", was on the women's basketball team. They were married in 2004.
Watson left college a year before graduating, turning professional in 2001. He joined the developmental Nationwide Tour and played there through 2005. In his first year on the PGA Tour in 2006, he led all professionals in driving distance, averaging 319.6 yards per drive; his longest PGA drive measured 442 yards.
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He met his wife, Angie, at college
Bubba Watson met his wife, Angie Watson (née Angela Ball), while they were both students at the University of Georgia. Angie, a 6'3" or 6'4" Canadian, played basketball for the university's women's basketball team, the Lady Dogs. Bubba, meanwhile, played golf for the university's team.
Angie and Bubba's initial meeting wasn't particularly noteworthy, as Bubba was very reserved. However, fate brought them together again in 2001, when Angie was recovering from a knee injury sustained while playing for the Charlotte Sting. Bubba watched Angie play a pickup basketball game, and they reconnected.
A few weeks later, they reunited on the golf course, where Bubba finally made his move, leading to plans for a date on the greens. The couple married in September 2004 and have since adopted two children: a son, Caleb, and a daughter, Dakota.
Angie has been by Bubba's side throughout his golf career, even taking care of the business and marketing side of his career. She has also supported him through personal struggles, such as the illness and death of his father in 2010. In 2016, the couple commemorated their 12th anniversary by posing in front of the 12th hole at a golf course, with Bubba expressing his love for Angie on Instagram.
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Frequently asked questions
Bubba Watson is a self-taught golfer who learned the basics of the game from his father, who introduced him to the game at the age of six.
Bubba Watson's first golf club was a cut-down 9-iron provided by his father.
Bubba Watson practiced golf as a child by hitting whiffle balls around his house.
Yes, Bubba Watson played golf for the Milton High School golf team alongside fellow Tour pros Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum.
Yes, Bubba Watson played golf for Faulkner State Community College in Alabama before transferring to the University of Georgia, where he played for the Bulldogs in 2000 and 2001.
