Hill lights up the Buckinghamshire

Golf is full of those spine-tingling moments, from the first tee at the Masters to match-winning putts at the Ryder Cup.

But watching 18-year-old blind golfer Nathan Hill (right) tee up at the Buckinghamshire ahead of the Ladies European Masters was surely up there with even the most awe-inspiring moments served up by members of the golfing elite.

Hill, who has been blind since birth, played in the pre-tournament pro-am and started his round in fine fashion by lashing an arrow-straight drive 150 yards down the centre of the 10^th fairway.

Aided by his grandfather John, who tees up the ball and gives direction on the layout of the hole, Hill made the course his own and was completely unfazed playing alongside some of the stars of the women’s game at one of the biggest events on the UK’s golfing calendar.

And why would he be? Over the last four years golf has helped Hill improve his confidence and self-esteem and given him a hobby he is passionate about to focus on. Nowhere is he more comfortable than on the golf course.

“Nathan used to be so shy,” his grandfather said. “It’s amazing what golf has done for him. It’s brought him out of his shell and given him the chance to shine in an environment that he loves.”

The day was part of the ISPS HANDA Disability Clinic, an initiative that helps golfers with a range of physical and mental disabilities make the most of the opportunity to play the game.

The clinic is run annually at the showpiece ladies’ championship as well as other UK golf events. It is organised by Advanced PGA Professional Craig Thomas, who specialises in disability golf coaching from his base in the West Midlands.

Youngster Hill participated in a group chipping session where he received coaching from TopGolf’s Alessandro Calcaterra (above left), a specialist blind golf coach, before heading out onto the course for his round.

“I’m absolutely addicted to golf,” Hill enthused. “I play every week, listen to it on Five Live and read articles about it. I love it.

“I love the enthusiasm of it. The fact that you always go out there and no matter what try to shoot the best scores you can.

“My dream is to win a tournament as I’ve never done that before. I did come third in the England & Wales Blind Golf Par Three though – that’s something I’m really proud of.”

Hill was full of praise for Thomas (centre) who introduced him to the game during a starter session in Cannock.

“The way Craig explained everything just grabbed me straight away, I was hooked right from the start,” he recalled.

Thomas was delighted to see Hill’s skills flourishing on the golf course.

“It’s always amazing to see someone like Nathan discovering and accessing golf,” he said.

“It’s been a big thing for him in terms of helping him come out of his shell, he has come on so much since I first met him.

“Nathan’s got an impressive drive that many golfers would be jealous of! It’s great to see him out there enjoying himself and playing in an event like this.

“What I want everyone to realise is that anyone can play golf. You might have to throw the traditional teaching models out of the window to a certain extent but it doesn’t matter, you can always find a way to help them enjoy the game.”

Such is Hill’s enthusiasm for golf he is now encouraging others to take the plunge and tee up their first swing.

“I’ve got a friend at college who I’ve been trying to get into golf for a while,” he said.

“He’d played crazy golf before but never the real thing. Now he’s addicted, just like me.”