The 30-year-old, who holds a golf handicap of 10.6, recently spoke about his love for the sport after joining Parkstone Golf Club. Despite years of performing in front of large football crowds, Christie admitted golf presents a very different psychological challenge.

Christie Admits Golf Nerves Worse Than Football Pressure
Midfield composure is something Ryan Christie rarely lacks when playing for AFC Bournemouth, but the Scotland international has revealed there is one sporting moment that still makes him nervous standing on the first tee of a golf course.

The 30-year-old, who holds a golf handicap of 10.6, recently spoke about his love for the sport after joining Parkstone Golf Club. Despite years of performing in front of large football crowds, Christie admitted golf presents a very different psychological challenge.
Speaking from the snooker room at the club, Christie said first-tee nerves are “100 per cent” worse than the pressure of professional football matches.
“It sounds ridiculous and everyone I play golf with always says the same, in terms of we play football in front of thousands of people, and you feel completely fine playing football,” he explained.
“But as soon as I’m stood in front of 10 people on a first tee, I’m doing well to hit the ball! Thankfully, my play-in round at Parkstone went all right and I managed to get in.”

Christie also reflected on his long-standing connection with golf, which began during his childhood in Scotland. He regularly attended lessons as a youngster but eventually stepped away from the sport to focus fully on his football career.
“I played a lot when I was younger. I went to golf lessons every Monday night and loved it. Being Scottish, it’s obviously a big sport up there,” he said.
“I had to give it up for football and then didn’t play through until the age of about 25. I picked it back up when I moved down here. I was pleasantly surprised how many amazing golf courses were around and I’ve been in love with it again ever since.”
While Christie continues to show confidence and control in midfield on matchdays, he admits the quiet focus required on the golf course can sometimes feel like the bigger test of nerve.