James GordonFor professional athelete, former basketball player and actor Bo Jackson, golf is an all-time passion. While he usually avoids scholastic competitions and the (in)famous green jacket, he has had success in the past with his golf skills. In 2009, he was named the PGA Player of the Year and the PGA Tour Player of the Year, and in 2010 he became the first ever player in history to earn $100 million playing golf. Although he is no longer active on the PGA Tour, he is still a regular competitor in the Senior PGA Tour, and is most recently ranked 14th in the Golf World Top 100. Learn more about Bo Jackson here: http://www.golfchannel.com
It’s a beautiful day in the country, and Charles Barkley is doing what comes naturally: hitting a golf ball. Except he’s not just a regular golfer: he’s one of the best golfers in the world, and he’s right around the corner from a Major, too. He’s got the world in the palm of his hand, and there’s not much he can’t do. That’s what makes this video so perfect—it captures everything in Charles’s life, and what he does best.
Charles Barkley may be one of the greatest basketball players in history, but his skills on the court never translated to the golf course. The decorated NBA player became famous after retirement for his inconsistent swing and frequent shooting. The patented hiccup in the middle of his swing was as hilarious as it was ineffective. But after years of awkwardness on the field, the hiccups are gone, the wiggle seems to be a thing of the past, and Barkley’s swing seems surprisingly fluid. His new and improved moves were even enough for Bo Jackson to want to kiss him recently.
Charles Barkley was the laughing stock of the golf course
Charles Barkley takes a photo during the Capital One Match: Champions For Change at Stone Canyon Golf Club. Christian Petersen/Getty Images for The Match. 
COMPARED TO: Charles Barkley responded with a nod to 76ers player Armen Gilliam’s request for morecontact. Years after retiring from the NBA, Barkley began to take an interest in golf. He wasn’t very good, but it was a fun way to pass the time when he wasn’t yelling at Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith on Inside the NBA. As Barkley began attending celebrity and pro-am events, golf fans got a close-up look at his…unique…swing. He brought the putter back just above his head, pumped the false down like he was a robot whose batteries had been removed mid-swing, and executed the stroke from that grip position. It almost sounded like a joke, but strangely enough, it wasn’t.
. Barkley quickly became known for his poor swing and poor play on the course, but he is working hard to improve his golf game.
Barkley showed a new swing in the game: Champions of change
. COMPARED TO: Shaquille O’Neal’s career changed forever after his father spanked him for imitating Magic Johnson When Barkley was announced as one of the participants in the game: Champions for Change last November, fans couldn’t be more excited. They couldn’t wait to make fun of Barkley for his famous golf swing that made him look like a side piece from a video game. But the TNT presenter has apparently been taught by his playing partner Phil Mickelson before. On the first tee, Barkley demonstrated a brand new swing by hitting a straight iron across the fairway. He and Mickelson had a dominant win in the match. The fans were shocked. The carriage is gone! Would Barkley have become a skilled golfer?
Barkley’s new and improved swing impressed Bo Jackson
. COMPARED TO: Russell Westbrook can score an incredible 0 for the rest of the season and still have atriple-double Barkley clearly played golf after the win. He played in the PGA Tour Champions Tradition on Wednesday and showed off his new and improved swing. It may even be more beautiful than it was five months ago. Told you the days of golf were over, Barkley exclaimed after hitting the middle. I’ve been working hard. Barkley’s surprisingly smooth swing even impressed Jackson, one of the greatest athletes in history. I was nervous for today, but I can kiss you on the lips, Jackson joked in a video posted by AL.com. All golf fans, take note. If Barkley can change his golf game, so can you.
James Gordon
