Staff WriterFor most of his career, Tom Lockyer has been defined by football — a tough, uncompromising defender and the heartbeat of Luton Town’s rise. But when the boots come off, the former captain swaps the roar of the crowd for the quiet hum of a golf buggy.
These days, it’s golf that gives Lockyer the balance, perspective, and peace that football never could.
After facing serious health challenges, the game has become more than recreation — it’s a lifeline. “I was playing on and off as a kid through secondary school but never really took it seriously.
It was only post-COVID once I joined Luton Town and there was a golf school that I really started taking it seriously,” he says.
What began as a pastime has turned into therapy — a way to stay active, grounded, and connected. “It varies a lot as to what I’ve got on each week,” he admits. “But since having a little one, it’s dropped massively!”
Still, the pull of the fairways remains irresistible. “I love being outside in nature first and foremost. It’s a great escape from reality as such and I really love the game, whether that’s a match against someone else or going out trying to shoot as low as possible.”
A Competitor at Heart
Even on the course, Lockyer carries the competitive edge that made him a Premier League defender. “I like to think that I deal with the bad shots quite well as it’s like losing a game in football.
The match you’ve lost is gone now and there’s nothing you can do about it, but you can put it right by winning the next game.”
Golf also became a social glue in the Luton camp — particularly with teammate Carlton Morris. “We used to get out two or three times a week and have a really good back and forth,” he recalls. “I remember one time we went out to Portugal for a long weekend golfing, and I beat him 6–0 over six rounds!”
Moments to Remember
For all his love of football, few moments have matched the magic Tom Lockyer has found on the golf course. He still laughs about an early albatross at Luton Hoo Golf Club during Mick Harford’s charity day in 2022. “I didn’t quite understand the rarity of it and carried on playing with the ball and lost it,” he says with a grin.
Then came a hole-in-one at Bearwood Lakes. “It was a 9-iron into a little wind off the left. It pitched a yard past and spun back in. That was one of the best feelings, as it was in as soon as it left the club.”
His timing, of course, was impeccable: “Luckily we were a late tee-off and the bar was empty when we got back!”
Golf and Recovery
Following his cardiac arrest, golf became something far deeper — part of his healing. “Golf was one of the first things that I did following my cardiac arrest. I went out with my mate Trev around Woburn about a month after.
It was great to get out in nature and play some golf. It’s a place once you’re out there that you don’t really think about much else.”
Even during his four-month stay in Amsterdam for treatment, his clubs were the first thing packed. “I found Europe’s biggest golf practice facility, and I used to regularly go after training and hospital visits to work on my game.”
That commitment has been as much mental as physical. “I very rarely get angry at bad shots, and I love being outside in the nature of a beautiful golf course,” he says.
“I would recommend golf to anyone. It has fully got me hooked, I’m mentally and physically obsessed with the game. I cannot get enough of it!”
A Lifelong Pursuit
Tom Lockyer jokes he’ll still be swinging a club well into old age. “It’s a game I will be playing when I’m 80 and can barely move. I love the fact that everyone can play off a level playing field regardless of ability and it’s whoever plays best to their ability on the day that can win.”
Retirement plans? Already set. “I’ve always said that when I retire from football, my first goal will be to get to scratch. I’ve started the process already but it’s not my main focus at the moment.”
Finding His Handicap with iGolf
His introduction to iGolf came from a few “debates” in the Luton dressing room. “We had a few debates at Luton over handicaps and fairness, so we all decided to get legitimate handicaps. That’s when we found MyEG.”
For a player constantly on the move, joining a traditional club wasn’t realistic. “It’s not financially viable to join a golf club everywhere you go with some of the joining fees payable,” he explains. “Especially when you know you won’t be in a particular area long term.”
That’s where iGolf — the only Handicap Index® under the WHS™ for non-club golfers — has been a game-changer. “Having iGolf has allowed me to hold an official handicap and play in competitions if I wanted, although I’ve not done so yet!”
It also feeds his love for new challenges. “I love playing new golf courses. I have a map which I use to tick off every course I’ve ever played. I’ve played 192 rounds at 97 different golf courses since 2020 and MyEG has allowed me to register a score for every one.”
For Tom Lockyer, iGolf is more than a stat-keeping tool — it’s freedom. “It lets me have an official handicap for each new course depending what tees we play off and allows me to keep chasing that goal of getting down to scratch.”
