Unlike many professional golfers who had a club in their hands as toddlers, Jon Rahm started playing seriously at a relatively late age, around 13 years old. This article will not only cover the specifics of when he started but, more importantly, will break down how his unusual path forged him into one of the most powerful and feel-based players in the game today. We’ll look at the lessons you can take from his journey and apply to your own, no matter when you started playing.
In the high-stakes world of professional golf, stories of child prodigies are common. We hear about Tiger Woods on The Mike Douglas Show at age two or Rory McIlroy chipping balls into a washing machine as a toddler. So, hearing that a multi-major winner and former world number one like Jon Rahm didn’t dedicate himself to golf until his early teens is genuinely surprising. It shatters the myth that you have to start in diapers to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Rahm’s father, Edorta, was a key influence. Inspired by Seve Ballesteros and the electric atmosphere of the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama, Edorta fell in love with golf and soon introduced Jon and his brother to the game. However, for young Jon, it was just one of many activities. It wasn't an immediate, all-consuming passion.
This "late" start is actually one of the most encouraging stories for aspiring golfers. It proves that the number of years you've played is far less important than how you learn and develop. Rahm's journey shows that a different path, one built on a foundation of multisport athleticism, can create a more powerful and resilient golfer.
So, what was a young Jon Rahm doing if he wasn't spending all his daylight hours on the driving range? He was becoming an athlete. Growing up in the small coastal town of Barrika in Spain’s Basque Country, Rahm engaged in a wide variety of sports:
From a coaching perspective, this is a dream scenario. Instead of learning a single, specialized movement from a young age, Rahm developed a broad "athletic vocabulary." He instinctively learned how his body creates speed, maintains balance, and coordinates complex movements. This holistic development meant that when he finally did focus on golf, he wasn’t starting from scratch. He was bringing a fully-formed athletic powerhouse to the tee box.
If you're new to golf, or helping a child learn, the takeaway here is immense. Don't fall into the trap of thinking a thousand balls a day is the only path. Engage in other physical activities. Go for a run, play tennis, take a yoga class, or just throw a ball around. Building your general athleticism will do more for your golf potential than you might think. It improves coordination, creates a buffer against injury, and, most importantly, teaches you the "feel" for generating power that can’t always be learned by just thinking about swing mechanics.
When Jon Rahm decided golf was his future around age 13, he turned his athletic ability and competitive fire toward the game with laser focus. Here’s a breakdown of how he rapidly accelerated his development, with actionable advice you can use.
One of the most recognizable things about Jon Rahm is his swing. It's incredibly powerful, yet uniquely short and compact at the top. This isn't a "textbook" swing you'd find illustrated in a golf manual. It’s a swing he built, with the help of his long-time coach Eduardo Celles, to fit his body.
Because of his strong wrists and somewhat limited hip flexibility, a long, looping swing wasn't natural for him. Instead of fighting his body, they leaned into it. They built a swing that was efficient, repeatable, and maximized his athletic gifts. He learned to feel where the club was and how to generate power, rather than trying to hit specific "positions."
Your Actionable Step: Stop chasing the idea of a "perfect" swing. Your body is unique, and your swing should be too. If you have a physical limitation or a natural tendency, work with it, not against it. The goal isn't to look like Adam Scott, the goal is to develop a repeatable motion that consistently gets the clubface square on the ball with speed. A short backswing that’s on plane is infinitely better than a long one that’s out of control.
His background in sports like soccer and jai alai taught him to be a creative problem-solver. On the course, this translated into being a "shot-maker" rather than just a "swinger." He sees curves, trajectories, and possibilities where others might only see a stock shot.
This mindset comes from a place of play and feel. His practice wasn't just about grooving a perfect 7-iron. It was about learning to hit a low-draw with a 6-iron, a high-fade with an 8-iron, and everything in between. He learned how to control the ball, adapting to whatever the course gave him.
Your Actionable Step: Dedicate a portion of your practice to pure play. Don't just hit to the 150-yard sign. Try to hit a draw around a tree. Aim for a specific half of the green. Try hitting knockdown shots with a shorter, more controlled swing. This type of practice engages your creativity and builds a deeper relationship with the clubface, making you a much more adaptable player on the course.
Rahm's journey took a massive leap when he moved to the United States to play for Arizona State University. He didn't speak much English at first, but he was thrown into the fire of elite NCAA competition. Head coach Tim Mickelson (Phil's brother) challenged him, pushed his buttons, and held him to a professional standard.
Competing week in and week out against the best college players in the country forced him to manage his emotions, develop a routine, and learn how to score when he wasn't playing his best. He couldn't hide, he had to adapt and grow, or he would be left behind. He won 11 collegiate tournaments, a record only surpassed by Phil Mickelson himself, and proved his short game and mental toughness were world-class.
Your Actionable Step: Get out of your comfort zone. Don't just play with the same foursome at your home course every weekend. Sign up for the club championship, even if you think you have no chance. Join a local league or find a small tournament. Putting yourself in a situation with a little pressure - where every shot counts - is the fastest way to expose your weaknesses and learn how to manage your game under new circumstances.
Jon Rahm's story is a powerful reminder that there is no single, prescribed path to becoming a great golfer. His "late" start at age 13 was more than compensated for by a rich athletic background, an obsession with feel-based learning, and a relentless competitive spirit. It shows that what you bring to the game from other aspects of life can be just as valuable as the years you spend on the range.
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