12th December 2010 was seemingly a normal day in the golf world. There were no majors in that month, no huge news creating havoc in the scene, but in the United Kingdom the X Factor came to a conclusion and the boy band, One Direction was born out of it. In just a year, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, and Zayn Malik became worldwide stars.

Who would have thought about that? But it happened and although they are not together anymore, their fans still are. Nonetheless, other than being music fanatics, the One Direction boys were also golf fans. So, who is the better golfer of them all?

1. Niall Horan

Among the five ex-members of One Direction, the Irish singer is the most avid golfer. Niall Horan started playing golf when he was only 16 and loved watching the Masters Sunday with his father. As he grew successful in his music career, Horan didn’t forget his passion for golf either. In 2015, he caddied for fellow Irish golfer Rory McIlroy at the Masters’ Par-3 contest. And has been a frequent at the Pro-Ams on the PGA Tour, and DP World Tour. Most recently, Horan teed up at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

In 2019, Horan talked about his ambition with golf in an interview with Golfweek. He said, “I’m obviously a golf nut. If I didn’t do music I would have loved to have been a golfer myself. I’ve always been mad into it. It was hard not to be with Tiger [Woods] around.” So, how good is his handicap? As of 2024, the 27-year-old singer revealed that he has a handicap of 9, as he told Irish Golfer. Once, he even shot 80 at Augusta National, and his love for golf could be understood when he started his own golf management company, Modest! Golf. His company manages golfers like Leona Maguire, Tyrrell Hatton, Anna Nordqvist, and more.

Another golf investment Horan has made is in Rory McIlroy’s TGL team Boston Common Golf. On top of that, he is also a team ambassador of BCC. He is also the only partnered musician with Callaway as they signed a deal in 2022. Seemingly, among all the five One Direction members, Niall Horan is the only one who consistently plays golf even today.

2. Harry Styles

If not as much as Niall Horan, but Harry Styles still tees up whenever he can. Although he does not have any golf investment like Horan does, Styles still watches and plays golf. The 30-year-old musician was spotted at the 2024 Masters, waiting for an amateur golfer, Christo Lamprecht. There, he had a short interaction with The Athletics’ golf reporter, Gabby Herzig. It isn’t confirmed if Styles met Horan, who was also at the 88th Masters.

Regardless, he revealed that he had played Augusta National before and even made a few birdies. Additionally, he also teed up at the home of golf, the Old Course in St. Andrews, and drew a massive gallery observing his every shot. Styles has a handicap of about 13 or 14 and is a club member of the Sunningdale Golf Club in Ascot, UK. The club reportedly has a $119K (£92,000) annual fee, which is usually frequented by celebrities and even royals.

3. Liam Payne

Unfortunately, Liam Payne passed away on October 17th, 2024 in Argentina. The musician reportedly fell off from third floor of a hotel he was staying at in Buenos Aires. While he lived, as well known, Payne was passionate about music but also loved golf. It was a way for the singer to cool off from all the stress and refresh a bit. Payne once revealed how he started playing golf, he said, “When I was 12 or 13 I joined my local golf club and fell in love with golf then.”

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He remained in love with it his entire life and has a handicap of 9. Although the members have parted ways from One Direction, Payne was still in contact with Niall Horan. And challenging him in 2022 said, “He’s good but I’m going to try to be better. This is my year of playing golf.” The two playing against each other was never revealed, but Payne was serious about golf as he worked with an instructor, had drills, and just a month ago, he posted a video of him playing golf. The golf world and his fans will surely miss him.

4. Louis Tomlinson

Although Louis Tomlinson is rarely seen playing any golf, it does not mean that he never plays. From the start of his music career, Tomlinson has been involved with golf as most of his former band members loved the sport. With Liam Payne, the Doncaster native used to steal ‘golf caddies’ aka golf carts, when they used to get bored on the tours. But these days, when he is not performing, Tomlinson shared that he is either at a bar or at TopGolf.

He further added, “I’m quite competitive when it comes down to sport,” but admitted that he is not the best golfer. Even in 2013, while making a golf bucket challenge, Tomlinson injured his knee and expressed that he isn’t great at any sports.

5. Zayn Malik

Out of all five One Direction members, Zayn is the only one who was never seen hitting a drive or draining a putt. It is quite surprising that even after being surrounded by four golf fans, Zayn was never seen playing golf or even watching an event. However, he seems to like tennis more and recently watched the US Open. Nonetheless, the entire band is sporty in one way or another, doesn’t matter if they all play the same game or with the same passion.

Still, as it stays, Niall Horan is the best golfer among all the former members of One Direction, as he plays it more than them and is also an investor in the game.