It’s not uncommon for golfers to have a specific weapon they utilize to bring out their best. It can be a driver, a 5-iron or a putter, and it varies from player to player.
For Great Britain’s Charley Hull, the secret to her success isn’t a club, but a smoke.
During the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open, Hull gained widespread attention for smoking a cigarette at Lancaster Country Club. Smoking was once a common practice on the golf course, but with the decline in cigarette use, it has become uncommon for athletes to smoke while competing.
John Daly is one of the few remaining players who still smoke while playing. Hull finds it amusing that despite being a regular gym-goer and a very health-conscious individual, he still smokes.
He mentioned that he rarely drinks alcohol and doesn’t feel the need to, as he can have a good time without it.
The British woman is currently in Paris participating in the 2024 Olympics in hopes of winning a medal for her country.
Her compatriot Tommy Fleetwood won a silver medal in the men’s competition this year, but no female golfer from Great Britain has ever won an Olympic medal in golf.
Nevertheless, Hull is at a disadvantage – at least in her opinion.
She will not be allowed to smoke at the 2024 Olympics since it is prohibited in international competitions.
“Yeah, I do smoke on the course, it’s just something I do,” Hull said before the start of the Olympic tournament. “It’s a habit but I won’t do it this week.”
Here is more to know about the smoking ban in Paris.
Charley Hull smoking ban, explained
Hull won’t be seen with a cigarette in her mouth at any point while she is on the course at Le Golf National. This is due to a rule put in place by the Olympics.
According to the official 2024 Olympics Spectator Information, smoking is prohibited at venues except for in select smoking areas. Le Golf National is among those venues where the ban is put in place.
It’s a bit ironic considering France has a history of being a smoker’s paradise. However, the European country is cracking down on public smoking, including prohibiting the use of tobacco in parks, beaches and other public areas. France also is banning disposable e-cigarettes.
The British golfer admitted before the tournament that she thought the ban would have an impact on her performance.
“Yeah, I think it will,” Hull said when asked if the smoking ban would affect her. “Because it relaxes me a little bit. But it is what it is.”
Hull went viral at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open when she was seen ripping a cigarette at Lancaster Country Club during the major. Smoking on the course used to be common in the game of golf, but with the decrease in cigarette consumption over the years, there are very few who still take a puff while competing. John Daly is about the only one fans will still see competing with a smoke in his mouth.
“I find it quite funny because I actually do go to the gym and I’m a very healthy person,” Hull said about smoking. “I only smoke. I hardly drink. I don’t need to drink because, actually, I can have a fun time without it.”
The British woman is in Paris now competing at the 2024 Olympics with the hopes of bringing a medal back to her home country. Her fellow Brit Tommy Fleetwood earned silver on the men’s side this year, but a female from Great Britain has never won any medal in Olympic golf.
However, Hull is playing with a disadvantage — at least for her. She won’t be having any smokes at the 2024 Olympics, as it is banned at the international competition.
“Yeah, I do smoke on the course, it’s just something I do,” Hull said before the start of the Olympic tournament. “It’s a habit but I won’t do it this week.”
Here is more to know about the smoking ban in Paris.
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Charley Hull smoking ban, explained
Hull won’t be seen with a cigarette in her mouth at any point while she is on the course at Le Golf National. This is due to a rule put in place by the Olympics.
According to the official 2024 Olympics Spectator Information, smoking is prohibited at venues except for in select smoking areas. Le Golf National is among those venues where the ban is put in place.
It’s a bit ironic considering France has a history of being a smoker’s paradise. However, the European country is cracking down on public smoking, including prohibiting the use of tobacco in parks, beaches and other public areas. France also is banning disposable e-cigarettes.
The British golfer admitted before the tournament that she thought the ban would have an impact on her performance.
“Yeah, I think it will,” Hull said when asked if the smoking ban would affect her. “Because it relaxes me a little bit. But it is what it is.”
Charley Hull score
It appears that Hull was correct in.
She thought the smoking ban would have an impact on her performance in Paris, but she probably didn’t anticipate how much it would affect her at the beginning of the tournament.
Hull began her Olympic campaign with a disappointing score of 81, ending Round 1 at 9-over par. Her performance was the third-lowest among all participants on Wednesday, behind only Ursula Wikstrom (10-over) and Noora Komulainen (12-over) of Finland.
In contrast to the PGA Tour, there is no elimination round after two rounds at the Olympics, providing Hull with an opportunity to make a comeback.
However, she will need to showcase her top-notch golf skills in the upcoming three days in order to recover from the disadvantage she put herself in – all without the aid of a calming dart for nerves.