Army major and +5 golfer Neil Williams joins Sam for an honest conversation about ambition, avoidance and the complicated role golf has played throughout his life.

Neil reflects on joining the Army at 16, serving in Iraq at 18, losing both parents, his daughter being born at 28 weeks and receiving an ADHD diagnosis at 40.

Golf gave him somewhere to escape. It helped him cope and carried him to course records and Final Qualifying for The Open—but Neil now recognises that it sometimes allowed him to bury emotions rather than process them.

They also discuss founding the Veterans Golf Association, learning to talk, preparing to turn professional and Neil’s long-term dream of competing on the Senior Tour.

Follow Neil on Instagram: @neil_williams_golf

@veteransgolfassociation

Nine Holes, Nine Questions is a Golf Saved My Life production exploring the person behind golf.

🎙 Connect with me – Golf Saved My Life

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@golfsavedmylifeofficial?_r=1&_t=ZN-93SVWNm3lSA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golf_savedmylife?igsh=MW1zYWl3d2c3ZGwy&utm_source=qr

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@golfsavedmylifeofficial?si=EMslx2_5q-fsHZWc

I’m sharing my own journey to better golf and a better headspace, plus more episodes of 9 Holes, 9 Questions with golfers, creators and coaches.

🏌️‍♂️ Support the show

If you enjoy the podcast and want to support what I’m doing, you can use my referral links/codes below – it doesn’t cost you anything extra and helps me keep making episodes:

ShotScope: https://shotscope.com/?rfsn=8928822.66aa89&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=8928822.66aa89

Use Code GSML15

Vice Golf: https://checkout.vicegolf.de/GSML

Use code GSML

Get Up & Go Rentals Holiday Villa in Spain!: https://www.getupandgorentals.com/

Use Code GSML20

Thank you for listening, sharing, and sending this to a golfer who needs to hear it. 💚

— Sam

9 Holes, 9 Questions – Golf Saved My Life