How a friendly club helped Theo find his confidence - and his place
“It was so good that Aaron took Theo on for one-to-one and then group coaching. If it wasn’t for him, Theo probably wouldn’t be the person he is today!”
Theo, who is neurodiverse, has had the best possible golf caddie and mentor in his Mum Elizabeth. She says golf has been “absolutely brilliant” for Theo’s ability to mix with others, for developing his own patience, confidence and discipline and also, importantly, his mobility skills and balance as he grows up in the busy and challenging world around him.
And Theo, now aged 15, is in no doubt about the game himself, saying: “Golf has changed my life because it has helped me make new friends and build my confidence. I love golf because it’s fun and I just enjoy it all the time!”
When Theo was about four-years-old his parents Elizabeth and Jamie Hancock were concerned that he was non-verbal; he experienced epilepsy and had mobility issues. “It was a very uncertain time, but a great thing happened when he discovered golf,” says Elizabeth.
That first experience aged four was Crazy Golf – they bought him a Disney set of little plastic clubs which he took everywhere, including to bed!
Before finally being diagnosed as autistic aged around eight, Theo’s passion for golf was a constant blessing, with Mum making indoor nets and targets and an outside net for the garden as he learned to hit the ball in fun games with his Dad.
Being new to golf, his parents did worry that he would not be accepted at a club for coaching but Aaron Holtom, PGA Professional at Morley Hayes Golf, was happy to help.
“It was so good that Aaron took Theo on for one-to-one and then group coaching,” says Elizabeth. “If it wasn’t for him, Theo probably wouldn’t be the person he is today. Despite Theo having epilepsy Aaron was so keen to help from the start, which was fantastic.”
After the Covid period, Theo was desperate to play again and Elizabeth was delighted he was welcomed at Alfreton Golf Club in Derbyshire, under the guidance of enthusiastic and experienced Junior Organiser Diana Riley, who says: “Theo’s progress has been remarkable, which is thanks to many of our young members for their welcome and the respect they show, but also to Theo himself, who works so hard on his golf. He has really enjoyed the Derbyshire Futures Tour and more lately the Golf Foundation’s GolfSixes League, where he excelled in a winning team this winter.”
Theo says: “I love GolfSixes because I meet new people from other clubs and I really enjoy it. It’s brilliant.”
Mum Elizabeth adds: “I do think golf has changed Theo’s life in many ways. He struggled with people accepting him but golf has helped people to see him differently.
“In GolfSixes League he plays with different team mates and they work together as a team. The Junior Captain [Marcus] has been so helpful. The other young players don’t see Theo as neurodiverse, they see him as a person and a golfer who they are happy to include. No one is left out. I love seeing him getting on well with the other children.
“I can go along and have a coffee and watch him go off with the other youngsters, he is safe as one of the group. When we went to the prize-giving we were delighted that he didn’t want to sit with us but joined the others at their table.
“Theo hits the ball his own way and he can take his time, and Diana and everyone in the GolfSixes and Derbyshire Futures has helped him to succeed.”
Elizabeth explains: “Theo does come across a lot of challenges with being autistic but when he has a golf club in his hand he is a different boy, it’s helped with his confidence, eye co-ordination and balance, and discipline. This is the only sport that he has tried and that he still loves to this day.”
Diana adds: “We are all looking forward to the GolfSixes League in the summer with the Golf Foundation. We will also help Theo get his first golf handicap in a relaxed way to avoid putting him under too much pressure.”
Elizabeth says Theo still loves playing Crazy Golf with her and Dad Jamie, only today he is not only trying to beat his first caddie, Mum, but also carefully practising his putting for the exciting golf ahead in his future.