Pro golfer Ryan Tipping lives his dream

A whopping 40 European Tour events in 15 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa weigh down Ryan Tipping’s golfing belt.

The 35-year-old professional golfer may not be old enough to be a veteran of the sport yet, but his exploits are known internationally, and the Fourways resident has played with the country’s best. Tipping is living his dream, but it was a long journey getting there.

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It all began when he picked up a club for the first time at the age of six. “My dad, Rod, used to take me to the driving range on weekends. I played at SA Junior Foundation tournaments when I was 13 until I became an amateur golfer at 19. I played for the SA amateur team three times.”

Tipping went pro at the age of 23, in 2004, when he became a member of the Sunshine Tour. He started to compete with the big guns, sharing rooms with Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel at overseas tournaments. The highlight of his career was winning the SA A Invitational in 2009.

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Going pro meant Tipping could do what he loves all day long, but now he has to do it well enough to be paid for it. “I can’t see myself doing anything but being outside and playing golf,” he said.

“The best part is you can be your own boss and you get to see the world and meet lots of people. However, I am not guaranteed a pay cheque every month.” He added that constant travelling to national and overseas tournaments also impacted his family life, yet Tipping will only retire from the sport when the travelling becomes too much, or he sustains an injury. When that day comes, he will quit golf and drink cocktails on the beach.

Before that time, though, Tipping has the Vodacom Origins of Golf in Knysna from 29 September to 1 October, and then the SA Open in January. He has been a member of the Randpark Golf Club for 22 years. In his free time, he likes to watch movies, visit game parks and train in the gym.