From county to the course

Peter Trego is part of Callaway’s all new staff Ambassador programme which is aimed at supporting the on course channel with equipment right through to a place in the Callaway Challenge Cup. As a former county cricketer who now plays golf to earn a living, we spoke to him to find out how Callaway have helped him as he transitions into his new career.

Your route into golf has been a little different to most…
I’ve been a professional cricketer for the past 24 years. I played the majority of my career at Somerset but finished it at Nottinghamshire. I got introduced to golf halfway through my cricket career, often being invited to sporting charity golf days, and found I had a relative natural knack for the game. I totally fell in love with the game and went down that rabbit hole of trying to get better. I spent the majority of my cricket career at about scratch.

As my career was winding down, COVID brought me some extra time to practice. I had the opportunity to practice with DP World Tour player David Dixon. I was shooting some good numbers when we played and was grumbling about being an amateur golfer with a plus handicap and never winning anything. He said I had a solid game, why not turn pro and try to compete.

I played on the West Region in my first year as a professional, and I think I finished about 15th across the west region, and I had three wins. I was playing against some very, very good players who have had European and Challenge Tour experience, and on my day, I was competing. I’m fortunate; I don’t have the pressure to make checks; I can take my progression at my own speed.

I’m attached to Mendip Springs Golf Club, just south of Bristol. It’s a challenging parkland course. I play most of my golf there, and it’s where I practice. I custom fit golfers there as well. I’ve fit quite a lot of fellow sportsmen I have met through the years. I’m not a PGA professional; I did start my qualifications, but as a 40-year-old with responsibilities, I just couldn’t spare the time! I have a real affinity for the association, though, and think they and their members do a fantastic job. I coach cricket, plus I’m a commentator for Somerset’s in-house channel. Also, there are more and more legends cricket opportunities; I was out in Miami last week playing, for example.

How did you become a Callaway Ambassador?
My relationship with Callaway has been relatively long-standing but has grown over the years. Once Nick Korynevsky, my Area Sales Manager, heard of my aspirations to turn pro, Callaway’s help has been second to none.

The relationship I have with the club fitters and team at Callaway is amazing. I think all golfers need a sounding board that can offer moral support, encouragement, but also expertise and knowledge.

Coming from a team sport background, it’s taken some getting used to being out on my own in tournaments. Being a Callaway Ambassador makes me feel part of a wider team. Obviously, you want to win, but there is an element of rooting for one another.

Through Callaway ambassador events such as the one we played earlier this year at Celtic Manor, you meet guys you have never met before, and now I keep an eye on how they’re doing in competition. That extra camaraderie is good for me with my background.

When you are playing for money, and your entry fees are through the roof, you obviously want to find every 1% you can from your equipment. Because of how I deliver the club as an ex-cricketer, my driver setup has taken a while to figure out. I was quite stubborn with the equipment; I had in my head that I must use something that resembled how my cricket bat used to feel. My cricket bats are nearly three pounds!

I started off with a very low lofted shafted like a scaffold pole, very heavy shafts. But as my delivery has improved, I’ve moved into lighter, less stout shafts.

The Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond has been a game-changer for my golf. Previously, I was at times 30 yards shorter than some of the people I was playing with, but I would hit my irons the same distance. I add a lot of loft at impact. But I moved the Triple Diamond from 8 degrees down to 7, and it has been a game-changer, especially since we added the Project X HZRDUS RDX Blue shaft. It’s given me a lot of confidence moving forward that I can compete. My driving wasn’t good enough before, and now it is.

Is there a 10-year plan to try and play the Legends Tour?
Being a competitive person, especially having a pretty good start in professional golf in the west region, I had a five-year plan, and then the wins kind of turned it into a two-year plan. But reality struck; the game is difficult and complicated.

This year, my other responsibilities have kept me out of as much competitive golf. I’m looking to really hit the ground running towards the back end of the season on the smaller tours.

I coach cricket, plus I’m a commentator for Somerset’s YouTube channel. Also, there are more and more legends cricket opportunities; I was out in Miami last week, but it meant I missed a start on the Clutch Pro Tour.

However, it’s allowed me to work on improving my game, not just playing. I am a better golfer than I was last year, despite playing less competitive golf.

How are Cricket and golf similar and different? And does your cricket experience help with your golf?
Both games have a period of waiting before each shot. You know, the bowler has to deliver a ball to you, and then he walks back to his spot. There’s a pause in the action similar to golf, where you walk between shots. From a concentration point of view, it’s very much on and off. Pre-shot routines are important in both sports.

Aspects of batting are very similar to the golf swing. I find I’m accurate, especially down the bag, as you can hit more controlled shots with a slightly open face. It’s a bread and butter shot in cricket. But it’s not ideal when hitting the driver.

But obviously in cricket, you have to react. In some ways, that takes some pressure off. I’m not too nervous as a sportsman, but I found it nerve-racking teeing off at Open qualifying with a replica Claret Jug in view of the first tee. I also enjoy talking to my playing partners. There are a lot of elite golfers who want to keep themselves to themselves. That’s something that has taken some getting used to. It’s different from having 10 teammates you can go to war with. In golf, you don’t have that team behind you.

Callaway WITB?
Ÿ Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond, eight degrees, one degree strong,
PX HZRDUS RDX Blue
Ÿ Callaway UT 18 degrees with an Oban Kyoshi Purple extra stiff shaft
Ÿ Callaway Apex TCB 4-PW Dynamic Gold X100
Ÿ Callaway Jaws Raw Black 48, 52, 56, 60
Ÿ Odyssey White Hot 7 Centre Shaft
Ÿ Callaway Chrome Soft X Triple Track