How a soccer star's club 'ruined' his life

Arguably the greatest American soccer player of all time, foot golf is a natural. But that's not where Landon Donovan shines.

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Golf: You recently competed in your first celebrity pro-am at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando. Did you prepare like it was a World Cup match?

LD: Probably more so! If you've been playing sports for a long time, you'll learn how to do it. This was uncharted territory and I was hoping to be invited back.

G: Has golf helped you in your soccer career?

LD: I know it sounds stupid, but I'm just observing the golf ball throughout the entire swing. When I struggled to score or my technique wasn't working, I just imagined kicking the ball all the way and not lifting my head. Because if your body gets up, other things won't work.

G: Did you play a lot of golf while you were playing soccer for a living on the pro circuit?

LD: In my case, it was once or twice a year, but there were people on the team who always played golf on their days off. One of my regrets in life is not starting sooner. The great thing about golf is that it's never too late to start.

G: Footgolf, a version of the game played with a soccer ball, has emerged as a recreational sport in recent years. Can you become the Tiger Woods of footgolf?

LD: No. [Laughs] I know that, I've done it, but I prefer the real thing now. Because I don't want to kick that many soccer balls.

G: You joined your first country club in San Diego a while ago. How was it?

LD: I went in not knowing that my life was about to be ruined. [Laughs] I'm playing more golf than ever before.

G: Did anyone at the club encourage you on the course?

LD: Among the people who play golf there is Brian Baumgartner, known to some as Kevin from “The Office.” I had never seen the show, so I didn't know who he was.

G: So you're not that much of an “Office” fan. How did he help you?

LD: We started talking and getting to know each other. he's a wonderful human being. He likes to travel and play in different tournaments. He said, “Landon, the only tournament you have to play is his HGV in Orlando.” So I was really happy to be there.

G: That week you played against the best LPGA golfers in the world. How was that for you?

LD: I was trying to think if there was an equivalent to this in the soccer world, but there really isn't. [in soccer] You're in a field with this intense environment, and if there were other people around, I would have been completely thrown for a loop.will tell you how much [golfers] You can block everything out and just focus. I was just fascinated by seeing the performances of people who were doing it really well.