EH : It ’ s been said that your Augusta , Georgia hometown and then neighbor , Graham Hill , inspired you to begin playing golf . What continues to motivate you ?
CH : Golf is a daily challenge . There is never a time where you think the game is easy . When you look at other athletes who have played golf — even athletes great at other sports — they come to golf and say , “ this is hard , this is a challenge .” That challenge keeps me going . Travel also keeps it exciting .
EH : You had to take seven weeks off from work last fall for surgery , but fortunately you are now stronger than ever in your game . What was the biggest challenge for you ?
CH : The worst part was sitting on the couch for a couple of weeks , not able to do anything . I always want to be doing something . On the other hand , it let me step back a little bit . But my kids were just starting school , so it was a nice little break .
EH : How do you stay fit and healthy , especially when traveling so much ?
CH : Tiger Woods first brought fitness to the forefront in golf . Now it ’ s just part of my life — who I am . On my off weeks , I spend a lot of time strength training . Once the season starts and I ’ m on the road , I do more functional movement and stability work . I do it all — spin classes , Pilates on the reformer — different things to keep it fresh .
EH : I heard you ’ ve been using Garden of Life ’ s new Sport line , including the Organic Plant-Based Energy + Focus , Organic Plant-Based Recovery , and Certified Grass Fed Whey . What about these products enticed you to start using them ?
CH : I ’ ve never seen another company or product that comes close to what Garden of Life offers . [ For the Sport line ] I know it ’ s not only clean , but the ingredients are safe and the best . When I compare other companies ’ products , I see a lot of fillers and unnecessary ingredients . With Garden of Life , you know that every ingredient is good for you .
I place a lot of importance on supplementation while on the road . I try to eat healthy and organic , and love farm to table . But as anyone who travels knows , it is difficult . I do the best I can . I think for a lot of people who travel , not just golfers , Garden of Life products can help balance your diet .
EH : Many of your charitable contributions focus on children ’ s health . What issues stand out to you the most ?
CH : My father is a pediatric surgeon , so I grew up in a hospital , so to speak . We started a fund that helps patients who can ’ t afford certain procedures pay for them . That ’ s where my heart lies . By helping kids , you ’ re helping their parents as well . Not everyone is fortunate enough to have some of the procedures that they need , and some insurance will not cover , so we kind of help the process out .
EH : With such a busy tour schedule , how do you balance family time with work ?
CH : I think once you embrace the chaos , you get better at it . I ’ m always wearing different hats — husband , father , golfer . My kids enjoy traveling , so we occasionally take them out of school . I never go away for more than 2 weeks and always make it a point to get home , even if it ’ s just a couple days between events .
EH : What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet ?
CH : I ’ ve been very fortunate and played almost all I ’ ve wanted . My favorite is Augusta National — it ’ s The Masters ! I average 28 tournaments a year . I ’ ll hit my 500th tournament on the PGA Tour this year .
EH : You maintain a very professional presence . What has helped you handle fame ?
CH : I credit a lot to my upbringing and attending a very good private Christian school in Augusta . The values that you ’ re taught as a kid are very important . Then I think the game of golf overall humbles you .
EH : Golf is obviously your passion . What else are you passionate about ?
CH : I do a lot with my children ’ s school and volunteer when I can . As they get older and my tournament schedule allows , I ’ ll do more work with their school and upbringing .
EH : Do you have any plans for how long you ’ d like to continue playing ?
CH : One of the reasons I spend as much time as I do in the gym is to try and prolong my career . Golf is a weird game . It ’ s not like other sports where you ’ re cut off the team or your owner trades you . You determine your own ending . I would love to continue as long as I can .
Vol 30 • Extraordinary Health ™ 49