Gareth Bale reveals why he ‘100%’ cannot become a professional golfer

Real Madrid and Wales legend Gareth Bale has explained why he “100%” cannot pursue a second professional sporting career in the world of golf.

The five-time Champions League winner, who starred as a ‘Galactico’ in the Spanish capital after becoming the most expensive player on the planet in 2013, reached the very top of global football – gracing major club competitions as well as the European Championship and World Cup.

Since his retirement at the age of 33, Bale has been having a good time on the turf playing golf.

The decision to play golf did not come as something of a surprise. The Welshman has never hidden his passion for golf, with his schedule being cleared to spend more time on the fairways. That has allowed Bale to slash his handicap from “three or four” to just 0.1 – which suggests he would be good enough to mingle with the pros.

However, he has clarify the chances that this will happen in the foreseeable future.

Gareth Bale putts on the 3rd green during the first round of the Sunningdale Foursomes at Sunningdale Golf Club on March 11, 2025 in Sunningdale, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Speaking with BBC Sport, Bale that has previously graced the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am event on the PGA Tour said: “I’m fully, 100 per cent sure, I can not make it professionally.

“When you are in golf and you see professional golfers play, compared to even your best stuff, it is nowhere near. When I’ve played with those players and watched them, you really appreciate how good they actually are.

“Never mind just playing with your friends, they are doing it under the most severe pressure, in tournament conditions, in hard weather. So there won’t be any professional (golf) for me. But I love the game. I love watching it, I love growing it.”

Bale has retained his ties to football, with punditry opportunities being embraced. He also forms part of a consortium that remains interested in completing a takeover of League One outfit Cardiff City.