Who Is Callum Shinkwin? All About the Amateur Boxer-Turned-Pro Golfer

Doing what you love can be a huge motivation while picking your profession. While some outright know what they are picking, some people try out different professions to pick the one they love. And amateur boxer turned professional golfer Callum Shinkwin falls in the latter part of this category.

But do not be mistaken that his career change has affected his game in any way. The 30-year-old has multiple European Tour wins under his name. The English golfer has gotten a bittersweet start for his 2024 season.

The early life of Callum Shinkwin and his golf career

Not much is known about the parents of the English golfer. Callum Shinkwin was born on May 22, 1993, in Watford, Hertfordshire. Despite being born in Watford, the 30-year-old now lives in Bushey, Hertfordshire with his wife Steph Shinkwin, and sons Oliver Peter Shinkwin and Oscar Shinkwin. He is also the childhood friend of PGA Tour player Matt Wallace.

And since his early years, Shinkwin has been interested in sports. He used to play multiple sports, leading a successful amateur career in both golf and boxing! He began his sporting life by boxing alongside his cousin Miles Shinkwin who is a light heavyweight professional boxer now.

But Shinkwin soon switched over to golf. For his amateur golf career, he secured the Carris Trophy in 2010. Then three years later he won the English Amateur title, beating Matt Fitzpatrick in the final round. This victory led to his selection in the Walker Cup, where he won one matchup and lost one.

Furthermore, Callum Shinkwin decided to turn professional in the same year. After turning pro in November 2013, the English golfer played his first event on the Challenge Tour. He had an impressive start to his pro career, coming second in Challenge de Catalunya and 34th in the Challenge Tour Road to Oman.

He continued his stellar start next year in the Challenge Tour, securing the 13th spot in Challenge Tour Road to Oman. This performance got him his European Tour card where he has been competing since 2016. However, his start in the European Tour was lukewarm at best.

The European Tour career of the English golfer

His performance at the Irish Open, Scottish Open, and Open de France gave him entry to the Open Championship in 2016 and 2017. Despite getting the entry, the English golfer missed the cut both years. But this lack of results soon changed!

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After missing the cut for two consecutive seasons, Callum Shinkwin played at 2019 The Open Championship, securing a tied 41 spot. Unfortunately, the tournament did not take place next year due to the pandemic. But in 2020 he continued his good performance and secured his first European Tour win in November.

He won the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Open, defeating Kalle Samooja in the playoff with an under-20 score. In August 2022, Shinkwin won his second European Tour event at the Cazoo Open. He defeated Connor Syme with a score of under 12. With these wins, the English golfer claimed his highest OWGR in January 2023, sitting on the 83rd spot.

But he has fallen off this spot ever since and currently is on the 143rd spot. But he would be looking to change this lack of form soon. After a tied 11th and 53rd finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and Dubai Invitational this year, Callum Shinkwin is competing at the Al Hamra golf course in the Ras Al Khaimah Championship. He has taken a two-stroke lead in the event, sitting at the top spot of the leaderboard at the moment.

What’s in Callum Shinkwin’s bag?

The 30-year-old has led a successful amateur and professional golf career. This feat has landed him an equipment sponsorship from Callaway Golf, whose clubs he uses fondly. For his driver, he uses a Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond Driver with a Mitsubishi Kai’li White 60 Graphite shaft. He uses a 10.5-degree loft on his driver which costs around $499.99.

For his fairway woods, he again trusts Callaway Paradym Fairway Woods with an Aldila Ascent PL Blue 40 Graphite shaft. The fairway wood costs around $299.99. Along with that, the English golfer uses Jaws Raw Face Chrome Wedges. Each wedge costs around $179.99. He has coupled his wedges with a True Temper Dynamic Gold Spinner 115 Steel shaft. Callum Shinkwin uses Chrome Soft X Golf balls which cost around $44.99.

With such stellar equipment from Callaway, the English golfer will be looking to extend his lead in the 2024 Ras Al Khaimah Championship. His story of finding the right fit of sport for himself is truly an inspirational one to watch.

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