Teenager gets Faldo treatment

Natalie Haywood is swapping Rotherham for California

By BBC Sport Online's Daniel Warren

Most teenagers would not be too happy with an invitation to return to school after just completing the GCSEs.

But teenager Natalie Haywood positively jumped at the chance.

Admittedly, the invite came from her golfing hero Nick Faldo. And Natalie, one of the most promising female golf talents in the United Kingdom, was never likely to refuse.

It's great to work with Nick Faldo because of all the things he has achieved

Natalie Haywood

The 16-year-old from Rotherham will be in California from 1-10 February, gaining some invaluable experience at Faldo's exclusive golfing school of excellence.

It is the latest chapter in an astonishing success story for Natalie, who has achieved more in her five years of playing than many golfers do in a lifetime.

"I started playing the game when I was 11. My grandad gave me and my brother a five-iron as a present and my mum and dad started taking us up the driving range," she said.

"I first realised I was good at golf when I won the Weetabix Junior Tournament under-15s event in Darlington when I was 12."

"Since then, I have played lots and lots of tournaments every summer."

Rising star Natalie Haywood

Practice is clearly making perfect for Natalie, as she now plays off a handicap of just two - a statistic certain to provoke much teeth-gnashing among seasoned players.

As is the fact that she is jetting to the United States for some one-on-one tuition with Faldo for the second successive year.

Qualification is through the Faldo Junior Series, in which Natalie has proved her credentials for two years running.

She attended the Florida School last year and qualified for this year's California trip by clinching runners-up spot at the Junior Series Grand Final in September.

"There are 11 of us going, nine boys and two girls," she said.

"The other girl is from Russia, so it's a pretty international field.

"During the school, we play and practise, and Nick comes to gives us personal tuition."

Faldo has always had a female fan base - although his popularity is, at least in part, thanks to his Harrison Ford-esque good looks.

But Natalie's appreciation of the former world number one is based purely on his talent.

"I was a fan of Nick Faldo, and he's a great coach," she said.

Nick Faldo in action

"He gives tips not only about the game itself but also about the psychology side of things, and about the importance of keeping yourself fit.

"It's great to work with him because of all the things he has achieved in the game."

The Faldo school, an invitation-only event open only to the country's elite young golfers, has been running annually since 1997.

The number of females taking part is on the rise, and Natalie is determined to prove she is among the cream of the crop.

"I would like to play as an amateur for a while," she said. "I have two years left in junior golf, and then my ambition is to play on the American Tour."