Golf Pro Bubba Watson’s new memoir Up & Down: Victories and Struggles in the Course of Life bravely and frankly lays out Watson’s struggles with mental and physical health as he adjusted to the fame and pressures that came along with his successful career as a pro golfer.
Bubba Watson’s Ups & Downs
In Watson’s new book, he opens up about his struggles with mental and physical health as he rose to the status of a Masters Champion. Watson discusses the massive changes his life went through in a matter of just a few days in 2012 when he went from being a solid but not particularly famous PGA golfer to that year’s Masters Champion–and just a few days after he and his wife, Angie, adopted their first child, Caleb. Watson had suddenly become both a PGA Masters Champion and a dad over the course of just a few days. Both of these were coveted titles for Watson, certainly, but the major life changes came with pressure that he wasn’t prepared to handle.
Soon Watson found himself losing weight at a rapid pace from the stress of it all. Watson describes a moment when he weighed himself to find that he had lost a full 30 pounds with no obvious explanation, and that’s when he realized he needed help. “Golf was killing me,” writes Watson.
It was in this moment that Watson realized he needed support and decided to ask for it. He began talking with those closest to him about his struggles with anxiety and how it was manifesting in unhealthy weight fluctuations. As he started to talk, he started to feel better, and eventually managed to get a hold on his anxiety with the support of others.
Promoting Mental Health Awareness in Golf
People in the spotlight like Bubba Watson can make a big impact on mental health awareness in golf. Many people suffer in silence. Professional athletes under a lot of pressure are very susceptible to mental health issues. By writing a memoir that is so transparent about mental health and the various ways it impacted his life, Watson is shining a light on the importance of pro athletes having conversations about mental wellness and destigmatizing mental illness.
In addition to learning more about Watson’s struggles, his memoir also covers his entire career, his relationship with his wife and family, and more.
After reading Watson’s book, you’re probably going to feel inspired to get out on the course and hit some balls. We’ve got plenty of great deals on golf balls for you.
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