Music · Golfer
Niall Horan
Niall Horan’s golf interest began as a genuine childhood hobby and grew into a serious part of his life beyond music. He enjoys the game for its social, competitive and mental sides, while also using his platform to support charity and make golf feel more welcoming. His documented playing level is r
Ask HH about Niall Horan
AT A GLANCE
Quick facts
- Started playing
- As a child with friendsBased on Horan’s golf interviews.
- Reported handicap
- 18Reported in 2015; not verified as current.
- Reported best score
- 79Reported by Golf Digest.
- Key golf friend
- Rory McIlroyThey have appeared together in pro-ams and interviews.
- Charity partner
- Justin RoseCo-founder of Horan & Rose.
- Golf venture
- ISPS Handa World InvitationalHoran’s management connections helped support the event.
THE STORY
What to know
WHY HE PLAYS
A social escape with real challenge
Horan has described golf as something he started young with friends and kept returning to because it is relaxing, competitive and easy to share with people from different backgrounds. He has also said golf helped give him a distraction while touring with One Direction.
PLAYING JOURNEY
From junior interest to regular pro-ams
He began playing with friends at a local club, later appeared in major celebrity pro-ams and became closely involved with golf events, players and golf management. His public golf profile has grown alongside his music career rather than replacing it.
PLAYING LEVEL
Reported handicap: use caution
Sky Sports reported Horan as an 18-handicapper in coverage of his 2015 BMW PGA Championship pro-am, while Golf Digest reported that he had shot 79. These are useful snapshots of his ability at the time, but there is no reliably verified current handicap here.
NOTABLE APPEARANCES
A familiar face in Irish and European golf
Horan has played or appeared at the BMW PGA Championship celebrity pro-am, the Northern Ireland Open Pro-Am and the JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor. He has also caddied for Rory McIlroy at the Masters Par 3 Contest and played alongside major golf names.
- BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro-Am at Wentworth
- Northern Ireland Open Pro-Am at Galgorm Castle
- JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor
- Masters Par 3 Contest with Rory McIlroy
GOLF IMPACT
He helps grow the game, too
Horan co-founded the Horan & Rose charity event with Justin Rose and became involved in the ISPS Handa World Invitational through his golf-management connections. The focus has included fundraising, visibility for women’s golf and bringing new audiences into the sport.
VERIFIED VIDEO
Best clips to watch
These verified golf videos show Horan’s personality, playing ability and relationships within the game—from a charity chipping challenge to pro-am interviews and his love of golf at the Northern Ireland Open.
- Golf Digest: Niall Horan Talks Taylor Swift and Bill Murray While Doing Our Pool Challenge
- Virgin Media Sport: Jamie Dornan and Niall Horan on the golf course ahead of JP McManus Pro-Am
- BBC Sport: One Direction’s Niall Horan on his love of golf at the NI Open
- Sky Sports: One Direction’s Niall Horan quizzed by Rory McIlroy
CAREER & GOLF JOURNEY
Notable moments
Begins playing golf
Horan says he started playing after friends joined a local golf club.
BMW PGA pro-am spotlight
He played alongside Rory McIlroy at Wentworth and became a familiar celebrity-golf figure.
Masters Par 3 appearance
Horan caddied for McIlroy at the Masters Par 3 Contest.
Reported 18 handicap
Sky Sports described him as an 18-handicapper during BMW PGA coverage.
Northern Ireland Open Pro-Am
He played at Galgorm Castle and spoke publicly about his love of golf.
Horan & Rose charity work
He partnered with Justin Rose on fundraising events connecting music and golf.
HH take
Why this profile is worth exploring
Think of Horan as a genuinely golf-mad, capable amateur whose biggest contribution may be making the sport feel more social, charitable and accessible—not as someone whose current handicap is publicly established.