Robert MacIntyre moved to Florida at the start of 2024, before deciding to set up home once again in Scotland just six months later.
Initially, MacIntyre believed that the move to Florida would be beneficial to his golf game.
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And while that may have been the case, it certainly wasn’t advantageous to his mental state away from the golf course.
MacIntyre has been speaking about life on the PGA Tour, during a wide-ranging interview with Golf Digest.
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Robert MacIntyre has opened up on receiving offers from LIV Golf, and also discussed the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
As well as that, the two-time PGA Tour winner opened up on his struggles after moving out to the United States two years ago.
The real reason why Robert McIntyre moved back from the US despite still playing the PGA Tour
It came as somewhat of a shock to everyone involved with the game when MacIntyre gave up on life in Florida so quickly.
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He was asked by Joel Beall of Golf Digest what made him decide to return to his homeland, after six months of living in the Sunshine State.
“People are going to like you or dislike you, no matter who you are,“ MacIntyre admitted.
“The reason I left the U.S. is because I realized everything I care about, everyone I love, is home in Scotland. There might come a time when I need to move back over, if it became easier on family logistics, and I’d suck it up and learn to deal with it. But right now, I don’t need to.
“My sister has three little ones, my mum and dad are in Oban, my girlfriend is working for the National Health Service in Glasgow. When I was in the States, the time difference made it hard.
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“When I’m home in Scotland, I hardly play golf. I’ll do the odd thing in the simulator, putt indoors. For me, I’ve realized the mental side of the game is far more important than the physical. My swing technique doesn’t really change—I’ve got my basics.
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“What does change is my mental attitude. When I’m in a good headspace at home, seeing friends and family, everything’s fine and there are no worries when I get to the golf course. I can perform.“
Robert MacIntyre on why so many pros choose to live in Florida
“Yeah, from a practice standpoint, it’s hard to beat the facilities and weather,“ the Scot said.
“But that doesn’t factor in what happens away from golf. Florida was too lonely, too business-like for me.
“Practice, golf, practice, eat, sleep. There needs to be a work-life balance. It’s really the same issue when we’re on the road, too, in America.
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“There’s not as much chatting, socializing. When I play in Europe or Asia there’s this idea that we’re all in this together, experiencing new cultures together.
“This job is too hard to focus on all the time. I love what I do, but if I can’t do it with friends and family to come along for the ride, you question what it’s all for.
“Florida might be better for my game, but Scotland is better for my life, and I think that mindset will help me have a better and more fulfilling career.“
That’s entirely understandable from Robert MacIntyre. He has to do what is best for him, and that really is all that matters.
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