Like most rich old men, professional athletes end up spending a fair amount of time on the fairways. Not surprisingly, there are plenty of hockey players who are great at golf.
In hockey, as in other sports, many current players hit the sunny expanses of the golf course during the off season. And of course, players are expected to run the gauntlet of charity tournaments, so golfing ability is a plus in the NHL.
In a sense, flying around on skates and bashing one another into the boards has little similarity with golf (not that adding checking to golf wouldn’t be great). However, the golf swing and the hockey shot have a lot in common, so it isn’t surprising that many greats of the game are also excellent on the fairways and greens.
Here’s a look at 10 stickhandlers, active and retired, who are likewise capable with a golf club in their hands.
Brett Hull
Another scratch golfer who routinely tees it up in American Century Championship. Hull has actually gone to the really good side of the handicap spectrum in the past, boasting a +0.5 mark at times. An executive with the St. Louis Blues, Hull isn’t missing any time on the links. (Photo/Twitter)
Dan Quinn
Dan Quinn was an NHL journeyman, playing for eight teams in 13 years. He tried his hand at professional golf after retiring for the rink, however, and even caddied for John Daly and Ernie Els. (Photo/Twitter)
Grant Fuhr
The former St. Louis Blues goaltending great, Fuhr actually gave it a go as a professional golfer after retiring. Either he or Dan Quinn ranks as the best golfer among former NHL stars. (Photo/Twitter)
Marc Savard
Marc Savard qualified for the 2007 Royal Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Even more impressive, he missed qualifying for the 2008 Canadian Open by just a stroke. Unfortunately forced out of the league by concussions, a different path could have seen him playing professional golf. (Photo/Twitter)
Mike Modano
The former Dallas Star boasts a handicap in the vicinity of 1. He’s a regular participant in the American Century Classic. Oh, and he’s married to a former Big Break contestant. (Photo/Twitter)
Wayne Gretzky
Easily the most high profile former NHL star with a love for the links, Wayne Gretzky is the future father-in-law of the number one golfer in the world, Dustin Johnson. He’s also a pretty good golfer himself, playing to a 10 handicap. (Photo/Twitter)
Bobby Orr
One of the greatest hockey players of all time, Bobby Orr isn’t a great golfer (8.2. handicap), but he does great things with golf. A mainstay on the charitable golf event circuit, Orr also hosts his own charity golf tournament. (Photo/Wikimedia)
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