Giving up one sport for another can sting — but not often literally.

J. R. Smith, a former NBA basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers, made his golf debut Monday, playing for North Carolina in the Elon Phoenix Invitational. On the competition’s first day, Smith shot 83-78 and beat a pair of La Salle golfers in his college golf debut, according to CBS Sports. Smith made two birdies and two doubles in his first five holes of play.