Andrew Dodt is a pragmatic man who doesn’t fear hard work
There’s often nothing more inspiring to a young man than the lessons he learns from his father. For Australian touring professional Andrew Dodt, watching his dad, a farmer, leave in the dark and get home in the dark every workday was the catalyst to his approach to his golf career.
“I love competing and challenging myself, especially if something can’t be done,” he says. “I always thought if my dad is working that hard, I need to be working just as hard on my game. I think the combination of these things has kept me in good stead and keeps me inspired to achieve more. I love the game now just as much as I did when I was a kid, and it keeps me striving for more.”
We spoke with the 37-year-old veteran of the European, Asian and Australasian tours about his career.
I first picked up a club at age 4 and have been hooked ever since. I remember my Grade 4 teacher asking the class to write down what we wanted to do when we grew up. I wrote down, “Be a professional golfer.” I joined Queensland’s Gatton Golf Club when I was 8 and turned pro at 21. It’s hard to believe this is my 16th year playing professional golf as it has gone so fast.
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We lived beside the course in Gatton. Dad was a farmer and Mum looked after us three kids. No one else in the family played but I remember coming home from school every afternoon, jumping off the bus and heading straight out on course until dark. I did that every day for years. I made my own scorecards, wrote down personal achievements and had goals pinned all over my wall.
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I’ve always been good at setting goals, which keeps me motivated. That motivation has changed over the years, as my wife and I now have a young family. It’s always nice being at home with them, but if I’m going to be away and put my wife through looking after two kids by herself while also working, then I’m going to make sure I’m doing everything I can to get the best out of myself every week.
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Jim Barden, my coach, has been by my side for 21 years. I wouldn’t be where I am without him. He has taught me everything I know about the golf swing and more, in particular the short game, as this is his specialty. I remember being involved in a junior clinic when I was 15 and visiting Gailes Golf Club in Brisbane where Jim was the head professional. We clicked almost instantly as we both had similar personalities and I liked his teaching style. Fast-forward 20-odd years and we’re still working together – and on much of the same things as we did back then. I owe a lot to Jim, and he has become a great friend.
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I turned professional in 2007 when I was 21. I almost turned a year earlier but decided to spend another 12 months as an amateur. I’m glad I did as I won three times that year, which I think made the transition easier the next year. I went to the PGA Tour’s Qualifying School in the US and got through first stage but didn’t advance past second stage, so I went to the Asian Tour Q-School and finished fifth. Coming out of the Asian Q-School was tough as I wasn’t exempt into the co-sanctioned events with the European Tour. I remember I had six top-fives the next year just to keep my card and I finished 45th on the Order of Merit. I still feel like it’s one of my greatest achievements.
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I played in the 2010 New Zealand Open in Queenstown, which was co-sanctioned with the Nationwide (now Korn Ferry) Tour and finished second. I lost by a shot to Bobby Gates from the US but gained conditional Nationwide status for that year. Two weeks later I went to India and won the Avantha Masters, which was a co-sanctioned event with the European Tour.
Suddenly, I had a three-year exemption in Europe but playing over there had never crossed my mind as I always wanted to play on the PGA Tour. However, I gladly accepted. In the space of three weeks, the direction of my career changed dramatically, and I ended up playing eight full years in Europe.
My favourite event was the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in London. I had never played in a major, but I always imagined it felt like one. In 2016, I led going into the final round but finished T-6 after Alex Noren shot 10-under to finish.
Two months later, I finished fourth at the Scottish Open which qualified for the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Playing in The Open was awesome and to make it even more memorable, I played three rounds with Xander Schauffele and the final round with Jon Rahm. It’s a week I’ll never forget!
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At the 2017 Nordea Masters in Sweden, I shot an opening round of five-over 77 to be well outside the cut line. On the Friday, I knew I needed a low round to get myself a weekend game. On my second hole, a 186-metre par 3, I slam-dunked a 5-iron straight into the hole. No-one knew where it had gone as it made a loud noise, but sure enough it was at the bottom of the hole. Fast-forward 14 holes, I holed an 8-iron at a 140-metre par 3 for my second hole-in-one of the day!
With two holes remaining, I still needed to make a birdie to make the cut. I ended up holing a 15-footer for birdie on the last hole to make the cut on the number. The funniest thing was that my caddie, Max (a 25-year veteran), had changed his flight the night before, assuming we would miss the weekend action. He was certainly happy to change it again!
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I’m fortunate that I can practise at three local golf courses: Waratah and Charlestown in Newcastle, and Pacific Dunes in Port Stephens. Waratah has a private driving range where I can hit my own golf balls and do any TrackMan work that might be needed. It also has a tight, tree-lined course that is great for honing any type of skill. Charlestown is a short and fun 18-hole course that is great for playing games or playing against mates. They have just built and opened a brand-new driving range with Toptracer in every bay – this is a great option if it is raining as it’s undercover. Pacific Dunes is an 18-hole championship golf course which tests every aspect of my game. It’s long, narrow and the greens are some of the best putting surfaces I’ve ever putted on. I love playing and practising there!
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Where my game is at determines how I practise. If I feel like some technical work is needed, I’ll head to Waratah to use the range and then test myself out on-course. If I feel like my swing is in a good place, I’ll head to Charlestown and play games on the course like two-ball best-ball, two-ball worst-ball, taking only five clubs, using irons only, etc. as these games help me be creative and enhance my skill level. I love playing at Pacific Dunes just before heading away for a tournament as the course is a true test and sets up like a tournament. I truly know where my game is at before jumping on the plane.
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I feel like I’m in my happy place at Pacific Dunes and could play the course over and over again. The condition of the course is always excellent and the members are very welcoming. It’s a course that can bite you at any time but if you really enjoy and take in each hole, it’s a memorable experience and you’ll want to come back for more.
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This year I’m focusing on playing the Asian Tour. It’s an exciting time for golf in Asia with the new International Series up and running, which is proving to be a success with quality fields, while I can also visit unique countries like Egypt and Morocco. I also play my best golf in Asia as I like playing in warm conditions and I enjoy the courses.
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During COVID, I completed my PGA Bridging Program and have become a Full Vocational PGA of Australia member. COVID made me realise I didn’t have anything to fall back on and that I’m probably on the back nine of my playing career. Coaching was something that never used to interest me, but golf is what I know and love. I get a lot of satisfaction from it. I’ve been lucky enough to join the coaching team with Ryan and Janelle Smith at Charlestown Golf Club and during my off-weeks I love teaching and passing on my knowledge to anyone who books in for a lesson.
Whenever my playing days are done, I can see myself teaching the game I love, whether it be to beginners, juniors or members who would like to improve their games. I’d also like to help young and up-and-coming players who would like to transition into the professional ranks, as I feel I could add some value and pass on some of my experience. But for now, there’s still plenty of my own golf to be played!
