Like many golfers Nicola Bennett dreams of “dominating the tour.” But she is not like many golfers. Her mission is bigger. She aims to transform the sport.

 

“There is a lack of females and a huge lack ethnic minorities in the game,” she tells the Women’s Sports Alliance (WSA). “I want change perceptions, increase participation and inspire the next generation.”

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Her golfing journey began at the age of 10 and just over a year later she represented England for the first time. Bennett was hitting off a handicap of just six by the age of 13.

 

Watching Tiger Woods’ major wins played a pivotal role in her development during those formative years.

 

“I can’t explain the feeling that you get from seeing someone like you playing in the game and dominating the game,” recalls Bennett.

 

“He was from an ethnical background. He was the only person doing it and you just get goosebumps. It’s something that people who don’t share the same characteristics can’t resonate with.

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“When he was in his prime it completely fuelled me up to want to do this and he changed my perception of golf, which is something I’d like to do (for others) as well.”

 

In addition to her competitive career Bennett has also become a successful PGA coach, where she has had particular success in inspiring female players.

 

“The reason why I coach golf is because it brings a lot of people into the game which stereotypically wouldn’t be playing the game,” she says.

 

“It’s really humbling when the parents bring the girls and go ‘OMG you’re the golf teacher’ because they expect it to be an older person who’s just boring and wearing a long cloak but it’s not like that at all.

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Her innovative approach and success in breaking traditional barriers in the sport has led to her being named an ambassador for Nike.

 

“I love Nike because they’re authentic, they’re diverse and everything they do they’re very inclusive,” she tells the WSA. “That really aligns with all of my morals and objectives so I think the partnership just coincides perfectly and I’m honoured they recognised me.”

 

The role brings profile, but also a degree of extra pressure with the added attention.

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“Nerves are natural,” she says. “I’m not a robot, so I look to channel these nerves in a positive way and recognise that they’re there, but not feel threatened by them.”

 

Fortunately, Bennett has a method to help her cope with that and other life stresses.

 

“Outside of the golf world and I would say this is my biggest life accomplishment is starting my spiritual growth,” the golfer states.

 

“It started in 2015 and I’ve always been interested in what people would label as ‘weird looking photos’ or the universe, plants and things you could learn from animals.

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“When you can live your life from the inside out you can have a much larger perspective on so many different things and that’s helped me through the experiences I’ve been through.

 

“When I step onto a golf course I’m at home because I’m naturally very connected to the environment through spirituality and it gives me that peace.”

 

And why should women who are not already playing follow her lead and take up golf?

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“If you want to be in a really blissful, tranquil environment and in a place of peace golf gives you that,” says Bennett.

 

“If you want to burn a few calories, take a few clubs out and be creative on your own, or in a group, golf allows you to do all that.

 

“It also gives people the opportunity to play something that can be a big part of their lives for the rest of their lives and that for me I find coaching golf so powerful.”