The recent release of Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2 has pushed golf back into the mainstream, and has seen some of the biggest names in the sport impress with their acting skills.
But golf doesn’t need a huge film to help its huge global appeal, its already one of the go-to sports that sports stars from different disciplines like to challenge themselves against.
Now NBA superstar LeBron James has declared that he is “addicted” to golf, and is even getting trolled by fellow NBA stars such as Steph Curry, who is reportedly the best current pro basketball player with a golf club in his hands.
Until the powers that be organise a huge pro-celebrity-NBA golf tournament, the best golfers from the world of professional basketball will always be up for debate. But we can certainly have a stab at predicting the best NBA golfers with their reported handicaps.
1. Steph Curry (handicap 2)
Two-time MVP and multiple-time NBA Champion Steph Curry is reportedly one of the best golfers among pro athletes with his handicap pegged somewhere between scratch and +2.
He’s played in events like the Web.com Tour’s Ellie Mae Classic, where he shot a 71 in 2018, and has several holes-in-one.
Legendary coach Butch Harmon has praised his natural talent, calling him “an incredibly gifted golfer.” but the modest Curry picked his brother when asked who the best golfer in the NBA was: “I’m going with Seth Curry. I’m picking bro,” he said.
Curry has already started commenting on LeBron’s new-found love for the game.
“Rookie hazing. He got his first few swings out there. I talked to him last week and he told me how much fun he had. You know, there’s something to work with that swing, though,” the Golden State Warriors star said.
“That’s kind of what I was going for. He’s got good bones and a good foundation, and if he spends a little bit of time practicing, a little bit of coaching, he’s got potential for sure. So, I’m excited to see it.”
2. Austin Reaves (handicap 2)
The Lakers guard declared himself as the best golfer in the NBA back in September 2024, after posting a video on his official Instagram account.
The social media post highlighted his skills on the golf course with the caption “Is Austin Reaves the best golfer in the NBA?”
“Hey, I’m down to play golf whenever, wherever against anybody,” Reaves said in an interview. “I love golf so much, I’d go play Tiger. Obviously, I don’t have any expectation of winning that one…but I would love to play against Steph.”
3. Penny Hardaway (handicap 2)
The current Memphis Tigers head coach is reportedly one the best former NBA players on a golf course. He has hosted his own golf tournaments and can regularly be found golfing in the Memphis area.
He recently played alongside Collin Morikawa at a Celeb-Am in the build-up to FedEx St. Jude Championship in August 2024 and the former Open winner was full of praise for Hardaway’s ability.
“He’s really good. He’s actually really, really good,” said Morikawa. “I think he had a handicap of 2 today. He made some legit − I think he made two actual birdies, like normal birdies without his handicap. He was striping it.”
4. Kyle Korver (handicap 4)
After a 17-year career as one of the best three-point shooters in the league, Kyle Korver reportedly has a handicap of around +4.
The assistant General Manager of the Atlanta Hawks hosts numerous golf tournaments through the Kyle Korver Foundation, showing his passion for the game off the court.
“It feels like every good shooter that I know enjoys golf as well,” Korver said in 2023.
5. Michael Jordan (handicap 5)
Arguably the greatest basketball players of all time, it’s no secret that Jordan is also passionate about golf.
Introduced to golf by his friend and then-Chicago Bulls assistant coach, Bill Cartwright, his passion for the sport began during his early NBA years and grew stronger throughout his career, often using it to relax and refocus between games.
Jordan plays nearly every day, has competed in numerous celebrity tournaments and has his own private golf course, The Grove XXIII, in Florida.
His handicap has fluctuated over the years but typically hovers around 4 to 6.
6. Jason Kidd (handicap 6)
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has been playing golf from a young age and reportedly has a handicap of 6.
“I started in high school. Our basketball coach was also the golf coach,” Kidd said.
“They gave me a 5-iron, they put the ball on the ground, and I was like, I don’t even have to guess.
“I swung, and there was a divot that went about 10 yards and the ball was still standing right there. I was humbled, and from that point on I was hooked.”
7. Mike Conley Jr. (handicap 7)
The Minnesota Timberwolves point guard has played golf consistently throughout his career and his reported +7 handicap makes him one of the hardest guys to beat on the links.
In a recent interview Conley spoke about his love of the game: “Golf, ultimately, it’s the challenge. I’ve played a lot of things and done a lot of things, and I can get good at them over time and golf is one where you just never get good enough. But you’re always reaching for something.
“I almost gave the game up a month ago. I’d barely played, and I went out there and was like, “I’m terrible. I don’t like this feeling. If I can’t practice and get back to where I need to get to, there’s no point in me to be out here.” I was super frustrated. But then I played last week and I liked it again; I had a good day.
“I’ve been working on the driver, because that’s the one thing I want to hit good in front of people. I want to be able to at least let them think, “OK, he can hit the ball.” … If you can bomb one it’s like, “Yeah, he knows what’s going on.”
8. Chris Paul (handicap 8)
LA Clippers point guard Chris Paul is an avid golfer and uses it as a way to unwind from the intensity of professional basketball.
He often plays golf during the NBA off-season and has been seen participating in various celebrity and charity golf tournaments.
“I started playing after the ’08, ’09 playoffs after we lost to Denver. The first time I ever picked up a golf club was in college with Bill Haas,” Paul said.
“I was a freshman and Bill was a senior at Wake and he was actually roommates with Josh Howard, and Bill used to think he could play basketball so we tried to go out and hit a golf club one time. That’s the first time I ever did it.”
9. JR Smith (handicap 8)
JR Smith, known for his vibrant personality and unwavering confidence on the basketball court with the Knicks and Cavaliers, brought that same energy to the golf course, boasting a self-proclaimed eight handicap.
After a 16-year NBA career and two championship titles, Smith enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University, where he not only joined the men’s golf team but also excelled academically.
Inspired by NBA legend Moses Malone to take up golf, Smith described the game as both uplifting and humbling. He credits swing coach Jason Baile for guidance and has friendships with Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Keegan Bradley, plus a caddying stint with Jason Day.
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