Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, the undisputed monarch of the cross-country skiing world, has revealed a surprising passion that offers a different kind of challenge: golf. While he shattered records at the recent Milan Cortina Olympics, clinching an unprecedented 11 Winter Olympic gold medals, it’s the mental fortitude required on the fairway, not the slopes, that he finds most captivating.
“Cross-country skiing is physically demanding, but the mental anguish of golf is far greater,” Klæbo stated in a recent interview, highlighting the stark contrast between his two sporting loves. The 30-year-old Norwegian, who dominated the Olympic stage with six cross-country skiing titles, admitted that mastering the intricacies of golf remains an ongoing, and often frustrating, pursuit.
The Allure of the Green Fairway
Klæbo’s journey into the world of golf began serendipitously in June 2020, amidst the global disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I played my first round without much preparation with friends from my hometown, and I thought, ‘I need to keep doing this,’” he recalled, describing the experience as “contracting the ‘golf virus.’” This initial foray ignited a passion that has since become a significant part of his life, offering a mental escape and a different kind of competitive arena.
Like many recreational golfers, Klæbo honed his skills through self-directed learning, poring over YouTube tutorials to refine his technique. His dedication has yielded impressive results. He began with a handicap of approximately 23.5 and has since worked his way down to a formidable 7-8, earning him the coveted status of a “single-digit” golfer. This translates to consistently scoring around 80 strokes on a standard par-72 course.
Despite his rapid improvement and the benefit of private lessons, Klæbo openly expresses his dissatisfaction with his current level of play. “I’m still not playing as well as I’d like,” he confessed. The inherent frustrations of the game, such as errant shots finding the woods or costly four-putts on the green, are precisely what he finds so engaging. “When the ball goes into the woods or I make a 4-putt, I get really annoyed, but that’s why golf is so fun,” he explained, embracing the challenge and the emotional rollercoaster that golf provides.
The Time Crunch of a Champion
The demanding schedule of an elite cross-country skier leaves little room for dedicated golf practice. Following the conclusion of his successful season, which culminated in his Olympic triumphs, Klæbo dedicates eight hours daily to rigorous training on roller skis. This intense regimen leaves him yearning for more time on the golf course.
“I lack time to refine my shots and practice putting,” he lamented. The reality of his athletic commitments means he hasn’t played a full round of golf since the previous August, a hiatus necessitated by his Olympic preparations. Looking ahead to his eventual return to the links, Klæbo shared a humorous anecdote about his current mental state. “I’m mentally prepared to shoot around 95 when I return to the course soon,” he joked, acknowledging the rust that will inevitably accumulate during his extended break from the sport.
The mental battleground of golf offers Klæbo a unique counterpoint to the physical demands of his primary discipline. While cross-country skiing tests the limits of his endurance and strength, golf challenges his patience, precision, and ability to manage pressure. This duality in his athletic pursuits underscores his competitive spirit and his relentless drive for self-improvement, whether on the snow-covered trails or the manicured greens.
