Sir Nick Faldo has a long history with The Belfry, dating back to 1978 when he first played competitively at the venue. Now, 46 years later, he is hosting the Betfred British Masters at the same venue, reflecting on the changes and improvements the course has undergone over the years. The course was sparse in the early years, but now has a million trees to provide shelter from the wind.
Faldo made a significant swing change between 1984 and 1987, winning six majors between 1987 and 1996. Reflecting on the change, he acknowledges that the process would be much quicker with modern technology like Trackman, which provides instant feedback and accelerates improvement. Despite the challenges he faced during the swing change, Faldo has no regrets about making the change and achieving success with his new swing.
Throughout his career, Faldo had moments where he almost gave up but pushed through and learned valuable lessons from those experiences. One such moment was during the 1983 Batley, where he initially wanted to give up but ended up winning the tournament. This taught him to never give up and always strive to do better, even when faced with adversity.
The 1985 Ryder Cup was a difficult time for Faldo, as he was going through a swing change and felt he did not contribute to the team’s success. However, he regained his form in subsequent Ryder Cups, partnering with Ian Woosnam in 1989 to secure a draw and teaming up with Colin Montgomerie in 1993.
Faldo’s experiences at The Belfry over the years have been memorable and impactful, including historic moments like Seve Ballesteros driving onto the green and his partnerships with other players in Ryder Cup matches. Despite the ups and downs, Faldo appreciates the long relationship he has had with The Belfry and the success they both have enjoyed during the Ryder Cup events.
Overall, Faldo’s journey at The Belfry reflects his perseverance, resilience, and success in the face of challenges. From his early days playing in tournaments to his victory at the Masters in 1987 and subsequent Ryder Cup appearances, Faldo’s career at The Belfry has been filled with memorable moments and lessons learned.
