Get To Know Charlotte
Hey everyone,
My name is Charlotte Thompson and I am a Ladies European Tour Player, have a read below for a shot insight into how my journey began, all the way from starting the game to where I am now.
My first experience of golf was from the young age of 4, attending a children's golf camp with my two older sisters every Sunday. On my 8th birthday I received my first set of what I call "proper" golf clubs, my very own set which contained irons, woods, a putter and my favourite, the driver. I was always quite energetic, sporty and adventurous when I was young, so being able to be outside with my sisters learning a new sport was something I fell in love with very quickly.
When I was around the age of 10 I began playing in the Essex girls meetings, which then helped me to progress into the Essex girls team at the age of 12. Also at the age of 12 I competed in a competition called the Wee wonders where you had the opportunity to win a position to represent team GB&I in the grand final in Virginia. I won all three stages of the competition and represented team GB&I in the Grand Final, a great experience for myself and my family. I represented Essex girls all the way through until I was 18, playing in 3 junior county weeks. At 16 years old not only did I represent Essex girls I also represented Essex ladies, playing for the first and second teams, and being part of the winning team in the 2012 county championships in Devon, something the Essex ladies hadn't achieved in 20 years. I was the 2012 & 2013 Essex ladies champion, a title that was close to my heart having represented the county for so many years, it was the cherry on the cake for my county career.
My 2012 season as an amateur was my most memorable with many good finishes, such as,
- Finishing 7th in the England Order of Merit.
- Essex Ladies Champion.
- Porters Park Centenary Cup Tied Champion.
- English Women’s Stroke play Runner Up.
- Runner up in the East Region Championship.
- Being part of the winning team at county finals.
- Finished 13th in the British Ladies Stroke play.
- Qualifying for the RICOH Women's British Open at Hoylake.
After such a successful 2012 season and a lot of thought from my family and coach, I decided to make the jump and turn professional, my first event being the LET Access event at Stoke by Nayland golf club (the golf club that I am now attached to, my golfing home). I attended Ladies European Tour school in the December of 2013 and gained my full European tour card for the 2014 season, a week of golf I will always remember.
Over the years of playing as a professional I have learnt a lot about myself, my game and life itself. Loosing my card at the end of the 2014 season meant I would then be playing on the LET Access series for the next year. An amazing feeder tour with events all over Europe which has really helped me to climb the ladder and make the correct changes in my game to now having my full playing rights back on the LET, having finishing in the top 5 of the Order of Merit in 2017 and progressing to the next level, back into the top. Along the way I have made friends from all over the world, made memories in many countries and gained experience that is second to none.
I am currently coached at the Robert Rock academy, with frequent visits to Lichfield & Silvermere driving ranges for lessons with Robert or fellow coach Liam Payne. The academy has helped me to not only technically improve but also to understand the faults and benefits of my golf swing. in December 2017 I started working with Nick Soto who is an excellent putting coach from Northampton Golf Club. I really feel that since I have started working with Nick the confidence I have in my putting has increased massively and the results with the putter are becoming more consistent.
Currently in my golf bag I have all Titleist clubs, a driver, 3 wood, 5 wood, rescue, 5-PW, 50 degree, 54 degree, 58 degree and a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 putter. I have to say that my two favourite clubs that I call "my babies" are my 5 wood and my putter. I can't really explain why, I think its because I have the most confidence with these clubs and can remember the best shots with my 5 wood and some amazing putts with the putter!
This season is my third season wearing Swing Out Sister clothing, and I honestly feel a million dollars when I play in it. The amount of players that come up to me and compliments he garments is amazing. I first wore a SOS skort 4 years ago when I purchased it at the Ladies European Masters at the Buckinghamshire, and I instantly fell in love with it, it was super comfortable, very stylish, and affordable, the perfect combination for golf clothing. Since that day I honestly feel that is has gone from strength to strength, following current fashion designs not only the golfing industry, better quality materials (having UV protection) and still extremely affordable. it is definitely a clothing brand I would recommend to all female golfers wether they are young and just starting or have been playing golf for many years, it can clothe women of all ages, on and off the golf course.
If you have any golf questions or travel questions that you would like to ask me, feel free to contact me through my website www.charlottethompsongolf.com or through my facebook page.
Thank you for reading my about me. Have a happy and healthy golfing year.
Charlotte Thompson