Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher explains her passion for golf

In our latest feature, Sky Sports News HQ presenter Kirsty Gallacher talks about her golfing experiences, her admiration for Seve, and her pride at winning the Masters Challenge.

Kirsty has a rich golfing heritage being the daughter of European Tour legend and former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher, whose statue adorns the first tee on the famous West Course at Wentworth.

As well as fronting the Sky Sports News HQ coverage of the Masters at Augusta every year, Kirsty is much in demand as host of a variety of high-profile golfing events and ceremonies - including the champion's presentation at the BMW PGA Championship on her home course.

Here Kirsty, whose cousin is European Tour pro and Ryder Cup star Stephen Gallacher, discusses her love for the game and her own experiences on the fairways...

What are your earliest memories of playing golf?

Kirsty: I can't clearly recall the first time I got hold of a club and tried to hit a ball, but I do remember playing at Crans-sur-Sierre in Switzerland, where they have the European Masters every year. We used to go there when the tournament was held in early September just before we went back to school, and it was one of our favourite trips. We'd play crazy golf there and go on the range with dad and hit a few balls. It was always one of the more relaxed events on the schedule, and even some of the pros used to have a go on the crazy golf there, so it was a lot of fun.

I also have fond memories of playing with my brother at Wentworth, where we were junior members from a young age. We both played in the junior team and we loved being a part of it.

Where are you a member, and how often do you play?

Kirsty: I'm still a member at Wentworth. I used to be a member at Sunningdale Ladies, but I'm just Wentworth now, which is right by my front door. Unfortunately, I've not been able to play since Christmas as I've had an arm injury - I've been struggling with tennis elbow. I have been able to hit a few balls now and then, but I'm hoping to get back out on the course soon when my arm has cleared up.

Because I haven't played, my handicap has really lapsed. I'm probably off 16 or 18 at the moment, but I'm looking forward to getting out there and bringing that back down again.

Which players do you most admire?

Kirsty: My favourite player of all time has to be Seve. I loved him not only as a golfer, but also as a person – he was such a charismatic figure. Watching him coming up the last fairway on his way to winning the Open, in his trademark blue jumper, is one of the most iconic and abiding images in golf.

Knowing him as I did, he was never arrogant - he was just confident and had an immense belief in his own ability. He was a great ambassador for the game, and I'm so happy for his son Javier that he's taken on the baton for the Ballesteros family.

What are your biggest strengths on the golf course?

Kirsty: I'm actually really good at getting myself out of trouble. If I'm in the rough, or in a bunker, it's no problem. Even if I'm in thick heather or I've got a horrible lie, I'm normally able to get my ball back into play. I'm also quite a good putter, not brilliant at reading greens, but my distance control is good.

And your weaknesses?

Kirsty: Hitting the ball into trouble! And I'm really inconsistent from the fairway, whether I'm hitting an iron or something bigger. If I try to hit a three-wood off the deck, that scares me! It's about controlling the ball and sometimes it just doesn't work out.

Do you suffer from first-tee nerves?

Kirsty: Sadly, yes ... it's horrendous, really awful! It doesn't help when I have to hit driver or three-wood off the tee, and I often resort to hitting an iron. I find that a much safer option and I tend to be fine. But it's something I've worked on and will continue to work on. I need to improve my psychological outlook on playing the game and be more positive. At the moment, I still have that fear of topping it or slicing it off the first tee, especially when there are a few people watching who might have lofty expectations of me. 

I suppose it's the same for people of all standards, including some pros. You can have a good run of opening tee shots, then it just takes one bad one to bring all those negative thoughts flooding back. But I'm not too bad once I've got that opening hole out of the way.

What is your biggest achievement in golf?

Kirsty: I won the Masters Challenge back in April and that was something that gave me a lot of pride. It was a nearest the pin competition in the shot centre at Sky Studios, and we were playing the 12th at Augusta. I managed to beat several of my Sky colleagues, and hitting it to nine feet wasn't bad considering I was wearing a dress and high heels!

I also used to win a lot of tournaments in the junior section at Wentworth, and I had some success while a junior at Sunningdale Ladies. I still look back on that with fond memories.

What is the best thing about golf?

Kirsty: I love that fact that golf is an artform, pure and simple. I love the etiquette of the game, its history and the technical aspects. It's a sport involving much honour, honesty and sportsmanship. You also need great patience to learn the game, which I've always been good at, and I enjoy the psychology involved – it's just a very interesting sport to watch and play. It's obviously in my blood!

And the worst thing?

Kirsty: The game is so long, too long at times. And it can be really hard when you get into a bit of a rut, sometimes you've been playing so badly it's tough to motivate yourself to get out there and play again to put it right.

Finally, who would you pick to be in your dream fourball?

Kirsty: I'd love to play with my dad, Seve, and Annika Sorenstam. I always loved watching her dominate the game. She was a brilliant player with a brilliant attitude, always upbeat and positive. Just fabulous.