Welsh golfer Amy Boulden recently announced her retirement from the Ladies European Tour after a successful career that included numerous amateur wins and a victory on the top European circuit. Boulden, who was named LET Rookie of the Year in 2014 and won the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open in 2020, revealed that she struggled with consistency and injuries in the years leading up to her retirement. Despite her decision, Boulden hinted that she may still make occasional pro starts in the future.
Reflecting on her career, Boulden admitted that she may have tried to change too much too quickly after turning pro, leading to frustration and a lack of confidence on the course. While she initially found success early in her pro career, she later realized that she may have been better off sticking with what worked for her as an amateur. The pressure to perform at a higher level and the desire to be more “professional” led Boulden to make changes to her swing and other aspects of her game that ultimately impacted her performance.
As she struggled with her game and injuries, Boulden began to consider retirement and took a break to mentally and physically reset. After withdrawing from a recent tournament due to a lack of motivation, Boulden attended the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews, where she realized that she was no longer passionate about competing at the highest level. Despite missing the excitement of competition, Boulden acknowledged that she was ready to move on from the stresses of being a touring pro.
Currently living in Dubai, Boulden continues to practice and play golf, occasionally participating in pro-am events. While she has ruled out competing in tour events for the time being, Boulden has not completely closed the door on a return to the LET in the future. She believes that staying connected to the game through competitive golf, whether at the club level or in pro-ams, will be beneficial for her career in golf.
Although her retirement from professional golf was a difficult decision, Boulden is at peace with her choice and looks forward to exploring new opportunities in the golf industry. While she may occasionally miss the thrill of competition, Boulden is focused on pursuing other interests and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. With a successful career behind her, Boulden is excited for the next chapter in her life and is grateful for the support of her friends and family throughout her journey.
