Hole in one: 4 financial planning lessons from golfing legend, Rory McIlroy

19 May 2025

Even if you are not the world’s biggest golf fan, you won’t have missed the recent news: Rory McIlroy, Northern Irish golfer, won the 2025 Masters, achieving a career grand slam.

Only six golfers can lay claim to the grand slam, which means winning all four of the sport’s major tournaments within the span of your career. But McIlroy’s journey to becoming one of the best golfers in history was not exactly smooth, and from his story, there are plenty of financial planning lessons that could offer a fresh perspective on your own wealth.

So, here are four financial planning lessons you could learn from Rory McIlroy’s golfing career.

1. Starting early matters

When Rory McIlroy received his first set of plastic golf clubs at the age of two, his parents could not have dreamed how far this gift would take him.

Although the McIlroys were not a wealthy or influential family in the world of sports, they made a huge effort to introduce Rory to golf when he was very young, encouraging him to pursue his talent and work hard.

You may already be in the twilight years of your career, getting ready to reap the rewards of your hard work when you retire. But, thinking of your children and grandchildren, there is an opportunity to help them start early and build a foundation they can rely on later.

This might look like:

• Teaching young children the basics of budgeting and the value of money
• Saving and investing on behalf of your children and grandchildren, in order for them to benefit from compound returns
• Setting up a trust that determines how, and when, your child will inherit your wealth tax-efficiently
• Discussing your adult child’s pension with them, making sure they are making the most of tax relief and increased contributions
• Maintaining appreciating assets to pass down as part of an inheritance, such as property
• Introducing your adult children to your financial planner.

Just as McIlroy became dedicated to golf at an early age, leading him to achieve his career grand slam at the age of 35, forming an early financial foundation is extremely beneficial.

2. The road won’t always be smooth

You might take one look at Rory McIlroy and think his career must have been plain sailing. The truth is, the golfer was doubtful that his career would take off, and has certainly experienced ups and downs on the road to success.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he describes “15 years of pent-up disappointment”, talking about many tournaments in which he had been “desperate to win and not been able to get the job done”.

When it comes to your finances, you might sympathise with Rory’s feelings here. You could have experienced financial setbacks, including:

• Redundancy
• Illness
• Divorce
• Bad debt
• Family disputes
• Poor investment outcomes.

These events might have been both financially detrimental and have eroded your confidence.

In 2025, the last point on the list – investing – could be a particular point of worry, with markets in turbulence around the world. McIlroy was often accused of trying too hard to make up for his mistakes, a trap you could fall into when managing your portfolio. However, as McIlroy eventually realised, it’s usually worth staying the course despite volatility, without chopping and changing your strategy or over-worrying about short-term outcomes.

No matter what kind of financial setback you have experienced, the way you recover from these events, not the events themselves, are likely to define your financial future.

Much like Rory McIlroy did not allow setbacks to pull his focus, learning from your experiences and focusing on financial recovery is what matters the most.

3. Your emotions might get in the way of your long-term objectives

McIlroy has spoken many times about his emotional battle when trying to win the Masters, the fourth and final tournament that would give him the grand slam title.

And, even during the tournament itself, he describes his emotions clouding his vision. In his Sky Sports interview, he reflects on the game, saying, “I was going through all the emotions. But I was glad that I was able to steady the ship and get my head in the right place when it mattered the most.”

When managing your finances, you might think yourself pragmatic. But in reality, our emotions are involved in almost every financial decision we make.

When making an investment, drawing money from your pension, or spending funds on a luxury, you could be plagued by questions like:

• Will this have a negative impact on my future?
• Can I afford to do this?
• What if something goes wrong?
• What if I need these funds for an emergency?
• Why do I feel so unsure?

If you’re familiar with the above, some helpful ways to make financial decisions without too much emotional input include:

• Following the data. If you’re nervous about investing, take a look at graphs that depict the long-term upward market trajectory of the last 100 years. If you’re worried about tax on your pension, check in with your financial planner to ensure you are on an efficient path.
• Discussing your decision with a trusted loved one. Sometimes talking something through makes the situation clearer.
• Remembering your long-term objectives. Although a short-term decision might feel like a leap of faith, if it is in service of your long-term plan, it may be worth pursuing.

Although your financial objectives are likely rooted in things you care about – your family, your security, and your peace of mind – that does not mean your emotions should take over your decisions. If you’re struggling to see the wood for the trees, it could help to speak with a qualified professional who offers impartial advice.

4. Make hay while the sun shines

Now that he has the grand slam firmly in his grip, Rory McIlroy has quite rightly been basking in the glory of his success. Not by throwing star-studded parties or buying himself a luxury car – but by spending time with his young family, lifelong friends, and sports coach, the Guardian reports.

What’s more, he is planning to continue his career-making performance, already lining up several more tournaments that could further cement his position as a once-in-a-generation legend. He says, “If I keep playing the way I am, anything is possible.”

This is a true lesson in how to make hay while the sun shines.

In your own life, you might have had a fruitful career, enjoyed earning plenty of wealth, and seen your young family grow up. So, if you are approaching your retirement and thinking “what now?”, remember that the next chapter doesn’t have to involve slowing down. It’s about doing what is right for you and your family.

If you are still unsure of what your version of “making hay” might look like, it could be worth checking in with a financial professional. We can help you work out what you can afford to do, the goals you might want to pursue later in life, and the financial opportunities that could improve the lives of yourself and your family.

Get in touch

If you are looking for guidance to achieve your own financial “grand slam”, get in touch with our award-winning team today.

Email info@depledgeswm.com or call 0161 8080200.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate estate planning, tax planning, or trusts.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested.