CAERLEON golfer Lauren Diggle is packing her clubs for South Africa as she prepares for her first swings on the professional circuit.

The 22-year-old will be taking part in a pair of events on Nedbank Ladies Tour before heading to Sweden to compete in the Telia Tour - a feeder to the main European professional circuit.

Diggle decided to turn professional in a bid to push on to the next level after an amateur career in which she did well without ever really excelling.

She said: "I'm so excited about turning professional and about going to play in South Africa. I wasn't really getting anywhere on the amateur circuit and had to make the jump if I wanted to improve.

"I need the experience to keep myself moving out of my comfort zones. I had got to the point where I wasn't being pushed but now I have the chance to play with the leading up and coming players in Europe."

Diggle aims to make it on to the Ladies European Tour via the 14-event long Telia Tour, but failing that plans to head to America to try for an LPGA tour card.

The Celtic Manor have given her a boost by backing her for five years and she will have her travel to South Africa paid for by Holiday Express.

Diggle is now turning her attention to the first South African tee on March 10.

She said: "I'm looking to make money so I need to put in some really good performances. "I wasn't as successful at amateur level as I wanted to be and I didn't quite make the step up to being a full international.

"I was number one in the county for five years and I have won various tournaments but it wasn't as glittering an amateur career as many others.

"But I feel I have improved mentally and physically and I'm ready to move up. I had a good season last year and it's essential I keep progressing and keep pushing myself that bit further.

"I play a very masculine game, I'm strong and I hit the ball a long way. I go for things, they don't always come out right but it's an exciting way of playing and hopefully my style can bring me success."