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Swinging it like them: 5 NBA stars who love playing golf

Steph Curry hits out of the bunker
Steph Curry hits out of the bunker

What are NBA stars like away from the hardwood? What do they do in their spare time when they are not competing on the basketball floor? How do they unwind from the marathon-like feel of the regular season and the competitiveness of the NBA’s postseason?

There are a number of ways that NBA stars get away from the game and the pressure associated with it. Some NBA players turn to fashion, making sartorial choices that make them look both bold and chic. Others, like LeBron James, spend a lot of quality time with family, which helps them balance their personal and professional commitments.

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A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames)

Very often, particularly in the offseason, we find players vacationing overseas in exotic locations, far away from the hype and hoopla of playing basketball in the United States of America.

But the one game that really has been a constant refuge for NBA stars has been golf. From the likes of Stephen Curry to Grant Hill to JR Smith, many NBA stars over the years have taken recourse to the greens to seek rest and relaxation. We take a look at five such NBA stars who have enjoyed playing this outdoor game as much as they enjoy playing in the NBA.

#1 Steph Curry

Like his three-point shooting, Wardell Stephen Curry’s golf game is on point. He is considered by many to be the biggest and most visible celebrity golfer in the world today. There are a lot of posts on Curry’s Instagram account from the golf course, be it to pass on a social message or just because Curry is having fun with one of the greats of the game.

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A post shared by Wardell Curry (@stephencurry30)

In his most recent Instagram post, Curry is seen hanging out with father Dell Curry and brother Seth Curry on a golf course. He writes about the game, “Not our job, just our obsession. Chasing birdies and dressed to the nines for all 18.”

#2 Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan watches a shot from the rough
Michael Jordan watches a shot from the rough

There is no denying Michael Jordan’s competitiveness. He has himself admitted to this quality, whether it was in his Hall of Fame speech or in the recent The Last Dance documentary series.

MJ brought that same competitive spirit to the game of golf. There are stories galore about how he dropped 63 points on Boston in the 1986 Playoffs, having played golf with Celtics guard Danny Ainge the day before. Or that he took time off from basketball by playing a round of golf with a friend, teammate or coach. But in each of these stories runs the same common thread of Jordan being the ultimate competitor, even on the golf course.

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