Clinton Norris Talks Family Golf
Our very own Director of Sales & Marketing for the Troon International division, Clinton Norris remembers being around golf at a very young age. Introduced to the game by his Dad, he is now passing his passion for the game on to his niece and nephews through fun formats like crazy golf, footgolf and with the help of technology!
How did you get into golf?
Through my dad. Ever since I can remember, at the weekends or holidays we would be competing, first it was crazy golf, then putting greens, then pitch n putts. As my dad was working during the week and always had his Saturday morning game with his friends, I then started to caddie for him. It was a great way for him to get me more into serious golf, and for me, it was great to spend more time with dad.
He added me to his club membership when I was 11, bought me my first set of clubs (Nicklaus), and I would spend all summer playing. I started with a 41 handicap!
At a young age I was a very keen footballer, but I remember very clearly the day my attention turned to golf; I was playing in defense and my team was attacking, so I was just stood there practicing my golf swing! Fair to say my manager was not at all pleased!
How did you introduce your family to golf?
I absolutely adore my niece and nephews and they would do anything to spend time with me – fun uncle! Introducing them to the game has been focused on fun formats, environments and technology – my dad’s local club has Toptracer range so the kids love ‘Go Fish’, playing quick and fun formats of the game such as crazy golf and pitch n putt, foot golf was amazing as they find that more fun as it is easier, through to hitting plastic balls onto dad’s roof!
For the past year my wife Cicek has also joined me for golf lessons. I tried to teach her when we first started dating and that went terribly! I look forward to the day we can play together on the course.
What’s your favourite family memory on the golf course?
I have three. My first ever eagle was at a beautiful course in Rennes, France, on the 1st hole, during one of our father son golf holidays. My second was taking my niece out for her first game at a local pitch and putt – we just ran around and had fun! My last would be on the Montgomerie Par 3 course most recently during my family’s holiday to Dubai, playing golf and foot golf with my sister, dad, niece, and nephews.
What is one golf club on your family’s bucket list to play at that you have not played yet?
Our father son holidays still happen but to a lesser extent with the niece and nephews, so I hope to be able to take dad to one of the exotic Troon courses we have while he can still play every day and travel.
