As the new season begins in an unseasonably cold weather, Charley Hull talks about imagination, drive and why enjoying a challenge still brings him his best golf.
Charley Hull needs no convincing to enjoy Lake Nona. As he returns to the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, his first reaction is simple and natural. “Yes, good,” he said. “I really like this golf course. It’s beautiful.”
What he didn’t expect was the temperature. “It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” he laughs, having already set the tone for a week that feels familiar and slightly familiar.
A lesson that suits his eye
Hull has always gravitated toward subjects that require imagination, and Lake Nona fits that mold. Fast and firm greens lie close to the putting surface forcing players to aim, especially when chipping. “There’s a hard lie on every golf course you play,” he explains. “It’s a bit different to what it was like in the UK.”
Most of all, he loves the feeling of the place. “It’s a good warm-up for the season, we’re testing your game, and I just love it. It’s got a good vibe to it.”
Finding his rhythm again
Heading into the week, Hull is refreshingly honest about where his game stands. “I wouldn’t really be able to be fair,” he admits. Winter means more indoor practice at home, with a short trip to Dubai offering outdoor golf. “I went to Dubai for a few days to practice and I played well there.
However, this week is about more than results. “Obviously I want to win this week, it’s a great event,” he said. “It’s also good to warm up to get back into the season.”
A glimpse of what’s to come
One of the biggest talking points in the game is WTGL, and Hull’s enthusiasm is palpable. Seeing it in person left a lasting impression. “I looked and I was like, wow, it’s unbelievable,” she said. “We need one of those in the UK when it’s cold.”
He was impressed with the detail and authenticity. “The way the green moved, the way the ball reacted when I hit it, the placement, the screen… honestly, I was very impressed. They did a great job.”
Having a home throwing studio means the concept isn’t completely foreign, but the scale is. “You have to go there in real life to get the full context of everything because it’s incredible to see.” For Hull, the extreme feeling is happiness. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to it.”
Keeping it simple
Looking ahead to the new season, Hull are not taking things too seriously. He says: “It’s not much different than last year to be fair. “Just go out, have fun. I know what you have to do to win. Not putting pressure on myself and I enjoyed that.”
That mindset was reinforced by his victory at the Kroger event last year. “I went into that week injured, so I didn’t expect much,” he remembers. The course has stopped. “Sometimes I expect too much of myself. When I’m not focused on golf, that’s when I play my best golf.”
Easy return to competition
Despite a strong season behind him, Hull admits he is worried this week. He has only played one round in the last six weeks due to bad weather at home. “I’ve been practicing loads, working on my swing,” he said, “but it’s different when you have 18 holes and a scorecard in your hand.”
Rather than viewing this as a reset, he prefers to build slowly. “It’s good to slowly build up to the season.”
Cold weather character
Hull’s relationship with cold weather is almost contradictory. Back home, you will happily come out of the cold. “On New Year’s Day, it was smoky and snowing, so I went out to play, carrying my bag,” he said. “I wasn’t that cold.”
Florida, however, held him out. “Yesterday morning I got caught in the snow, my feet were cold,” he said with a laugh. “The cold in Florida is completely different from the cold in England.” The solution involved a hair dryer in the locker room and funny looks from other players.
He puts it down to rotation and comparison. “Once I was in Thailand, the temperature was 35 degrees. As long as I keep moving, I will get better.”
Gratitude over complaint
When asked about comments suggesting that men and women should compete together on WTGL, Hull’s response is measured. He says: “I thank them very much for giving us the opportunity. “Fair play to them. I respect that.”
Seeing it as a foundation on which to build. “You never know, a few years ago they could do something like that.”
Life beyond golf
Away from the course, Hull’s warmth comes through when talking about her close friend Georgia and her pregnancy. With several nieces and nephews, Hull has taken on a mentoring role. “I know the kids well, he’s not really good with kids,” he said with a smile, recounting conversations full of helpful tips and gentle teasing.
Managing the body
Cold weather brings physical challenges, especially after last season’s injuries. “My lower right back and my hip,” he says. “I have to make sure I warm up properly and keep moving.” Viewers may see him changing between shots. “You see me moving over there, you know why.”
Love the test
For all the complaints about the cold, Hull thrives in the harsh conditions. “I like it,” he says. “I like the mental toughness of it. I like being outside.”
He enjoys lessons that ask tough questions, and Lake Nona will do just that this week. “Last time I hit a gap wedge on the last hole. Yesterday I hit a four iron,” he said. “It’s going to be tough out there, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Ultimately, his vision is simple and unmistakably Charley Hull. “You just put me on the golf course, I’m going to enjoy it anyway,” he said. “Let’s enjoy the next shot and prove to myself that I can shoot it.”
