Choi Myung-ho "Small but Fast, The Keyword is Consistency"

Amateur Golfers Should Avoid Overly Large Swings Like Pros: "Build Basics to Create a Flexible Swing"

Pro Choi Myung-ho emphasized, "Golf improves easily when you stick to the basics." Yangyang (Gangwon-do) ? Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@asiae.co.kr

[Yangyang (Gangwon Province) = Asia Economy, Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-joon] "Start with the basics firmly."

Choi Myung-ho, a professional who serializes every Thursday in Asia Economy Newspaper, emphasized, "Amateur golfers tend to blindly imitate the big swings of professional players," adding, "This requires a lot of practice and can actually ruin the swing if overdone." He added, "In golf, it is most desirable to be faithful to the basics," and "Once you establish a textbook swing, it is easier to progress to the next level."

Choi is the top native instructor in Korea who has trained world stars such as No Seung-yeol (29) and Kim Si-woo (25, CJ Logistics). After joining the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) in 1989, he immediately flew to Australia in 1990 and worked as an instructor at Sydney Woodville Golf Course. From 1996, he spent three years completing the Palm Springs Golf Academy in California, USA, paving his way as a coach. In 1999, he returned to Korea and established the No.1 Golf Academy.

In 2012, he moved to China and expanded his golf academy business to places like Huangshan Songbai Resort and Hangzhou Mujian Mountain near Shanghai, playing a pioneering role in spreading 'Hallyu Golf' across the Chinese continent. In 2015, he was appointed head coach of the Chinese national professional team, coaching players such as Li Huatong, Dou Zecheng, and Zhang Xinjun. He developed 'unique lessons' tailored perfectly to each player's different body types and performances, establishing a distinguished reputation.

In fact, Li Huatong has already secured two wins after entering the European Tour, Dou Zecheng became the first Chinese player to earn a PGA Tour card in the 2018 season, and Zhang Xinjun also entered the PGA Tour in the 2020 season after two wins on the Korn Ferry Tour (second-tier). Recently, Choi has been staying in Korea, checking the shots of KLPGA top rookie Oh Kyung-eun (20, PNS). Oh Kyung-eun willingly took on the role of demonstrating the movements.

This lesson focused on fundamentals such as 'Set up Balance,' 'Relax Body,' and torso rotation to build a small but fast and consistent swing. Choi, who says "Practice is the royal road in golf anyway," urged, "Don’t just understand it mentally; run to the practice range immediately and learn it physically," adding, "If possible, practicing two or three times a week in concentrated sessions is more effective than once a week."