England Golf has welcomed Jamie Bigg – aka Giant on BBC series Gladiators – as its newest Game Changers recruit.
Jamie joins a national network of celebrities and influencers who are helping to shape a more inclusive and dynamic future for the sport – including Olympic legend Dame Denise Lewis, former football stars Jay Bothroyd and Carly Telford, and junior trick shot specialist Leo Boniface.
A professional bodybuilder and fitness coach, Jamie brings a unique blend of charisma, motivation, and lived experience to the Game Changers programme. Beyond his television success, he is passionate about encouraging young people to discover confidence, community and wellbeing through sport.
As a Game Changer, Jamie will work with England Golf to champion youth voices, support inclusive initiatives, and help break down misconceptions about who golf is for.
“I’m absolutely buzzing to join England Golf as a Game Changer,” said Jamie. “Golf is an incredible sport for building confidence, resilience and friendships, and I want more young people to feel that it’s a place for them and to pick up a club for the first time.
“I love golf because it’s accessible, and that’s why I’m here, to prove it’s accessible and fun. It gets you out in the open, gets you out with your friends. I’m always on my phone for work. The phone’s become a creature of people’s habit and lifestyle, so when I’m playing golf, the phone goes in the bag for four hours. That ability to just switch off, enjoy yourself and concentrate on a game for several hours out in the open is why I love it.”
On his role as a Game Changer, he added: “What excites me the most is getting more people involved in golf and expressing that you don’t need to be amazing at golf to do it. It’s accessible to everyone – women, men, children. I’m a massive advocate for mental health and being out there in the open, doing something active and socialising with friends. Joining the programme is great because now I can promote the mental health side, get people fit and healthy at the same time, and do it from a really young level.
“We can promote that in kids but also in families doing it together. I’ve been to a driving range many times with my family, with my kids, with my friends, and it’s a great way to get off the tablets and phones and do something really fun.”
Asked whether golf and bodybuilding have any parallels, he added: “Probably none, or very few! Golf requires flexibility and mobility. As I’m big, people think I’m going to smash it miles, and I don’t because the mobility is not there to generate the power. The only benefit from bodybuilding is that if the golf buggy’s battery dies, you can put it on your shoulder and carry everyone in it!”
The Game Changers programme is part of England Golf’s Respect in Golf movement, which aims to drive accessibility and inclusivity within the sport, and ensure there is no place for discrimination within golf.
