Blake Griffin’s best advice for newcomers to the game

Six-time All-Star Blake Griffin was a double-double machine during his NBA career. It’s a score he avoids now that he spends more time on the course.

GOLF: As a fairly new convert to golf, what’s one piece of advice that you might give other newbies trying to improve their game?

Blake Griffin: Good question. Here’s something I learned early in my career in basketball: It doesn’t matter what you do in the first quarter; it’s what you do over the course of the game. The same is true of golf. It’s what you do over the course of your round. You can have a great drive and then shank the next shot. Things are never as good as they seem or as bad as they seem. You just got to ride the wave, and that’s what I like about golf.

G: Solid take. Now that you’re retired from the NBA [since 2023], what’s one place you’d like to play and finally have the time to get there?

BG: I’ve played at a lot of cool places, but I’ve heard Bandon Dunes is great. I would like to go up there and check it out.

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G: Where are you playing most of your golf now?

BG: I’m a member at Lakeside Golf & Country Club in L.A. I got a good group of guys I play with regularly, but we like to get out to other spots too.

G: Speaking of travel, the NBA has some long road trips. Do you ever wish you’d played golf back then when you’d see teammates slip out on an off day to get in a round?

BG: My man, being on the road in the NBA means you got to find your own way. That’s what I tried to do.

G: You’re famous for once jumping over a car in the slam dunk contest, which you won. What golf landmark would be cool to jump over? The Swilcan Bridge? Rae’s Creek?

BG: [Laughs] I don’t think I could jump over anything now. That was a long time ago, man.

G: Besides the 8AM Invitational, what are some of the other celebrity tournaments that you’ve had the chance to play in?

BG: I played in Tahoe — the Edgewood tournament [American Century Championship]. There were like 20,000 fans a day. That first day, I was so nervous. I was like shaking over practice putts, you know. Like, even when I wasn’t about to hit the ball, I was still nervous.

G: In general, are there shots on course that you’re more nervous about?

BG: Like, anything. I don’t even want to say it. Once I say it, it’s going to be out there. Okay, any shot between 65 to 85 yards. Don’t know why.

G: Golfers have been known to enjoy putting a few dollars on their matches. Keeps things interesting. How big a wager makes you nervous?

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