Q&A: Testaverde likes individual nature of game

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Stan Badz/PGA TOUR

A youthful-looking Vinny Testaverde jokes that he has three years until he hits the Champions Tour.

Editor's note: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who played 21 seasons in the NFL with eight different teams, is one of the amateurs playing in the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am this week. He took time out from his preparation to chat with PGATOUR.COM contributor Rick Odioso.

PGATOUR.COM: When did you start playing golf?

TESTAVERDE: I played a couple of times in high school with a friend, then some in college. I mainly was interested in seeing how far I could hit it. In my early years in the pros, I played some.

PGATOUR.COM: So you have become more avid recently?

TESTAVERDE: I have. I really have a passion for golf. I'm always fixed on the GOLF CHANNEL at home and in the house I have a little chipping and putting area. I just love playing and I want to be good at it.

PGATOUR.COM: What do you like about golf compared to football?

TESTAVERDE: Unlike football, golf is more controlled by the individual. I like that. Sometimes in football, you would have your best games, but the team didn't win. This is all on the individual. It's not only against the rest of the field, but most importantly against the golf course.

To give you an example, when I'm playing with my buddies I'd rather shoot 75 and lose instead of 85 and winning. Of course, 75 and a win is the best, but I'm most concerned with how I did against par.

That's kind of my pet peeve with all sports. Just because you lost the game, it doesn't mean you didn't play well. The other team just happened to be a little bit better that day. On the other hand there were times I would play bad and we won. The guys were all excited, but I knew I still had a lot of work to do.

PGATOUR.COM: When was the first time you played in front of a gallery?

TESTAVERDE: It was with the Buccaneers. Playing at the tournament over in Jacksonville. I played with Jim Dent, another pro, and Ron Hall, one of my teammates.

PGATOUR.COM: Were you nervous?

TESTAVERDE: I was nervous then, and I was nervous today. I'm always nervous on the first tee and then you settle down. I said today, I was more nervous hitting that first tee shot than at any time during my NFL career. You are out of your element, you don't know, it could go left or right. Ask me to throw a football, I'd hit the fairway every time.

PGATOUR.COM: Your history, not starting at Miami until you were a senior, your pro career developed over time, shows that you are not easily discouraged. That would seem to be a good temperament for golf.

TESTAVERDE: I know that I have the patience to go through whatever you go through to become a good, consistent golfer. I'm a lot closer to where I was.

PGATOUR.COM: What is the scouting report on Vinny Testaverde, the golfer?

TESTAVERDE: My driver is pretty strong. My putting right now is the best part of my game and my chipping is one of my strengths. If I could only figure out how to get the ball on the green and closer to the pin, it would be pretty good. I used to be a better iron player than driver. Now, it has kind of flipped on me.

PGATOUR.COM: What is the best time you've ever had on a golf course?

TESTAVERDE: I wish I could say it was here with these guys, these pros, but to be able to say that I have to play better. I enjoy all these players. I've played with some really great players over the years going back to the NFL Cadillac Classic in New Jersey. Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Nick Price, Curtis Strange -- a lot of really great golfers.

But I'd have to say the best time I have on the golf course is with my buddies just shooting the bull. The camaraderie and competing with your buddies is great.

PGATOUR.COM: How long until the Champions Tour for you?

TESTAVERDE: Oh man, I've got three and a half years, but right now I couldn't play. I'd love to do it some day if I was capable of it. I'm not saying I'm capable, I'm not saying I'm not. One day, maybe I will be. I work at getting better. The guys at Old Memorial, my club, will tell you that some days I'm there more than the employees.

PGATOUR.COM: When did that change? There was a time you didn't work at it.

TESTAVERDE: I hardly played golf because I was too busy trying to be the best I could be at football and I thought the off-season was part of that. When I retired, I just started playing. I went from an 11 handicap two years ago, to a 6 last year, to a 3. I wanted to be scratch for this tournament, but it's getting there.