Shane ByrneFormer Ireland and Lions hooker

Earliest golfing memory?

I was four when my granny first started taking me down to the golf course; I had a sawn-off 5 wood and would put the ball down and just start lashing it around as she would play away.

First victory?

Hitting my cousin right between the shoulders blades with the ball! He was very annoying, was always walking directly ahead of everyone else. I was thrilled.

First time to break 90?

As an underage golfer, I actually showed a lot of promise as a kid. Don't know what happened to it though.

Last bit of golf equipment you bought?

Sorry to say this but I have never bought a single item of golf kit, ever!

Last time you took a golf cart - where and why?

At a two-day charity event in St Andrews recently, the function on the first night went on well into the wee hours and I was one of the first teeing off the next day.

Last time you muttered an obscenity on the golf course and why?

Same day! When I looked down on the first tee box to hit the ball, I saw three and unfortunately swung at the wrong one.

Which major would you like to attend and why?

Augusta - no explanation needed there I think.

Ideal fourball - who and where?

Seve, Greg Norman and Tiger. I'd tell Tiger he has to go for everything; nothing in golf quite like him bloody belting a driver! Tell Greg to try holding it together when he's close to winning! And Seve, well . . . simply just to see the great man play again.

One last round on earth, where would it be?

I've been lucky enough to play golf in some great places all over the world but give me a sunny day in my local Woodenbridge golf club any day.

Dress sense. Davis Love or Ian Poulter?

Couldn't really give a fiddlers what I wear playing but I don't own anything like Ian's gear. For that reason it would have to be Davis Love.

Is a Titleist ProV1 worth the expense?

Absolutely! I actively encourage everyone to go out and buy them because when I'm traipsing around in the rough looking for my dirty Ultra, that's when I find all your ProV1s.

Best golf-club food. Where?

Courtesy of chef Jason Moran in our own Woodenbridge. Food to die for.

140 yards out from the green. Flat and calm. What's in your hand?

I'd say a 9 iron. I have this philosophy in golf - if you can reach it with an 8, use a 9 and hit it harder!

Favourite club in times of trouble?

As I'm forever getting caught under bleedin' trees, probably my driver. It's the only club that can keep the ball low enough to get out. So I have to use the very club that got me into that trouble in the first place!

Parkland or links?

Parkland, no doubt about it. When you spend as much time as me not on the fairways, the last thing you need is that mutant grass that eats your ball in the rough on links courses.

Must-see golfing destination?

Paul McGinley just opened his first championship course, Macreddin Golf Club, wrapped in the Brooklodge hotel. I've played it and simply it is one of the best courses I've played.

Hidden gem?

Would have to be Macreddin, as so few know it's there yet.

One mulligan in life?

Got a hole in one once as a young lad and had to buy everyone a drink in a packed clubhouse! I was broke for weeks after it. So, if I had a mulligan I'd go back and miss that fecking shot!