10 minutes with… Ben Davis, Your Golf Travel

    The Head of Offline Marketing & Commercial Partnerships talks about The Masters, what he enjoys most about his job and why California is his ultimate holiday destination. 

    How did you first get into golf?

    It was with my Grandad playing on a pitch and putt in Dorset. I was quite young but that was it; I had the bug. I had no idea that I would later work for some of the biggest brands in the game, in TaylorMade and Cleveland Srixon, before moving into the travel side of the business with Your Golf Travel.

    If you were in a three club challenge what clubs would you use and why? 

    It would be a hybrid, 7 iron and wedge. It’s important to have a wedge for approach shots, bunker shots and around the greens. The hybrid, as you can putt with it as well as use it off the tee, in the fairway and rough. A 7 iron because it offers enough distance for second shots but also is very versatile. One of the things I have enjoyed since moving across from the manufacturer side of things is trying out different equipment from a host of the different brands – there are some great products out there at the moment.

    What’s the best shot you’ve ever hit? 

    It was at Bearwood Lakes and it was 3 wood second shot into the par 5 2nd hole. The hole plays over 500 yards from the white tees and its stroke index is quite low, but I flushed my fairway wood to about three feet to set-up an eagle.

    What’s the biggest issue facing golf today? 

    Definitely the time it takes to play. More and more people are time poor these days and there are greater pressures on time, not necessarily from competitive sports, but from work, family and other external factors. Other sports have faced similar challenges and done a great job in re-inventing themselves with different formats, so it’s good to see some new formats making an appearance in golf from the Tour downwards and hopefully they will make a positive impact.

    What do you enjoy most about your job? 

    I love working in London and combining two of my biggest passions, golf and travel. Working for the biggest golf travel in the world I am fortunate to get to travel and play golf at some of the best destinations and courses across the globe. I made the trip to The Masters this year along with the rest of 850 people travelling with Your Golf Travel. What an experience; there really is no place like it on planet golf. If you haven’t been, you need to go. Everyone should do it at least once.

    What’s the hardest part of it? 

    Managing different projects. As the World’s largest golf travel company, we fly over 200,000 passengers annually to over 3500 destinations in over 50 Countries across the globe, where they play over 450,000 rounds of golf per year. As you can imagine, I have to wear a lot of hats and while I love the variety my job offers, the biggest challenge is juggling multiple projects and spinning so many plates at any one time.

    Who would be your five dream dinner party guests? 

    It would have to be: Tiger Woods, Muhammad Ali, Robert de Niro, Julia Roberts and Elvis. They a great mix of sport, film and music legends. The conversation and insight would be awesome.

    California

    Best ever holiday destination? 

    California. It has great weather all year round, lots to see and do, great food and an abundance of great golf courses. I have been a few times and can’t wait to get back out there.

    Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time?

    Hopefully on a golf course somewhere with my son, Ethan, who will be 13 by then!

    SHARE
    Previous articleGolf’s best-kept secret
    Next articleIt’s a family affair
    Miles is the Owner and Managing Director of Robel Media, and the award winning GOLF RETAILING Magazine. With over 25 years in the media business, Miles has a wealth of experience in magazine publishing, digital media and live events. HANDICAP - 7.2