He grew up playing golf on the course maintained for employees of the gold mine where his father, James Cole, worked.

Cole held the record as youngest-ever winner of the tournament until Matteo Manassero won the event in 2009, at age 16.

He resides in Windermere, Florida where he teaches private lessons, corporate retreats, and plays ProAms and other golf events.

On 12 December 1980, Cole married American professional golfer Laura Baugh in Cape Town, South Africa.

They had seven children together, including professional golfer Eric Cole, who was awarded 2022–23 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.