Twelve months ago Scott Barr gave up smoking. But not without a fight. For someone who had been smoking about 30-40 a day for the last 25 years, this was nearly an impossible job. After two weeks off the fags the cough he had for several years was gone. And he didn’t lose my breath taking the stairs. Let’s not even get into how much he saved on not buying. But just how did it happen? Barr thanks a book. Can you believe it?
Scott Barr you quit smoking and are proud of that – how did you do this?
Yes very proud of the fact and very please to no longer be addicted to the nicotine drug. I quit by slowly talking myself into it and I read a book by Alan Carr about how easy quitting smoking is. I also used a prescription drug called Champax to ease the nicotine cravings for two weeks. After that I was on my own and I was determined not to have another, and to this day 13 months later I have not.
What were the key challenges?
The challenge is to realize that smoking is not normal, it is a drug addiction, same as other addictive drugs. Unfortunately governments legalise smoking. Technically you are only addicted a few days after your last cigarette so getting past that is hard. But then you must get past associated situations with smoking and that took me 6 months, and slowly as I went past every situation I would associate with smoking ( i.e. After a meal, with a coffee etc) and then the cravings disappeared.
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What’s the inspiration behind this?
I did not want my children smoking, they idolize their dad.
How important is fitness for golf?
Fitness is an important aspect of golf , I think smoking specifically made me to anxious in the golf course , looking back I can see that clearly now, I am much more relaxed after quitting.
How would you assess your game right now?
My game is in great shape, I am particularly happy with my mental game. Stopping smoking has helped that, I’m calm these days. As you get older you see things differently, I feel better prepared to face adversity on the course and in life than before.
What’s it you love the most about India?
I love the food in India. Indian culture is a truly unique , each time I go I see or smell something total new, it’s always an eye opening experience .
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