Albert Pujols Q&A: ‘The Machine’ talks playing Michael Jordan’s course

He’s one of only four players with 700 home runs — and a certain first ballot Hall of Famer. So why can’t ‘The Machine’ get a game with the G.O.A.T.?

***

GOLF: You’re known for hitting a baseball a long way. What club would you use to hit a golf ball out of Busch Stadium, where you played for the Cardinals for years?

Albert Pujols: From home plate, I can probably hit a 4-iron out of Busch Stadium.

G: You think? Out to the street?

AP: Yeah, for sure. I hit my 4-iron probably 215 or 225 yards. What is it — 130 yards to center field? So, you add another 100 yards to that…

G: Well, there you go! What’s your favorite thing about golf?

AP: For me, definitely, 100 percent, it’s having the opportunity to play with my son AJ [a former collegiate golfer at Vanguard University]. He definitely can beat me. He hits the ball a long way. He loves the game. I love the game. It’s not an easy game to pick up after you retire. But I enjoy it, you know?

G: What else do you enjoy about it?

AP: Just playing along with friends. This is a game that it doesn’t matter if you’re young, you’re old — you can still play. And it’s fun, you know? It makes me relax.

G: Where do you plan to tee it up this year?

AP: I got invited to play [the American Century Championship] in Tahoe. So that’s pretty awesome. I live in the Dominican Republic now and it’s always fun to play in the DR.

G: Oh yeah, a lot of great spots there. I heard you got to play at Grove XXIII, Michael Jordan’s course in Florida. Did you see MJ while you were out there?

AP: Yes. All three times that I have been there, he’s actually played in the group in front of me or behind me.

News

G: But not with you?

AP: No, not with me. [Laughs] He has his regular group.

G: You’re still working on that, I guess. What did you think about the drones they have flying around there? The ones they use to deliver drinks and food?

AP: Actually, the three times I’ve been there, it was so windy that they couldn’t use the drones. But the place is just unbelievable. It’s beautiful. I encourage anyone who has the chance to play it to definitely go.

G: Where else have you teed it up? Have you been out to Augusta National?

AP: No, not yet. One day, maybe.

G: Derek Jeter told me that with baseball, everything just seemed natural to him. But with golf, nothing seems natural. Agree?

AP: I can relate to that.

G: I’ve noticed you don’t spend a lot of time over the ball. You just step up and hit it.

AP: Yeah, in general, the more I think about hitting, the worse I get!