Han Jeong-eun: "Step by Step from the Basics"..."Golf is Learned Through the Body"

National Team Veteran and Guangzhou Asian Games Gold Medalist, 2012 Dream Tour Prize Money Leader, Aspiring to Become the "First Female Teenage Instructor" After Injury

Han Jeong-eun, a KLPGA pro, will start a weekly column titled every Thursday from this week.

[Yongin=Asia Economy Kim Hyunjun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "With the mindset of polishing a diamond raw stone."

Han Jeongeun, a pro golfer (28) who serializes every Thursday in Asia Economy Newspaper, explained, "Recently, due to the impact of COVID-19, the number of golf beginners (Golf + children) has rather surged," adding, "When starting anything for the first time, one goes through numerous trial and error." She emphasized, "Unlike other sports that move back and forth, golf has the characteristic of rotating left and right," and advised, "You need to build a solid basic swing to easily progress to the next level."

Pro Han was the 2010 World Amateur Championship champion. She gained even more attention as the gold medalist in the women's golf team event at the Guangzhou Asian Games in China in November. She started golf in the 4th grade of elementary school, became a reserve player during middle school, and was immediately selected for the national team upon entering high school, following an 'elite course.' She introduced herself, saying, "I liked sports such as Taekwondo, soccer, and tennis from a young age," and "After watching senior Park Seri win a major, I decided to become a golfer."

In fact, she joined the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour in 2010 and showed her presence by ranking first in prize money with two wins and four runner-up finishes on the Dream (2nd tier) Tour in 2012. She boasted a truly 'perfect play' with a 270-yard long drive, precise iron shots, and 'saltwater putting.' It is surprising that she had no notable results in 2013. She expressed regret, saying, "I suffered from injuries such as asthma and cervical disc problems while trying to do better out of greed."

Pro Han took sick leave and devoted herself to rehabilitation, managing to add one Dream Tour win in 2016, but was again held back by an Achilles tendon injury in 2017. Fortunately, while training at the Lim Jinhan camp in 2019, she found another golf life goal as an instructor. She has already provided free lessons at Seoul Signature Golf and live broadcasts on Golf Korea, and this year opened the Diya Golf Studio in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. She added her firm ambition, saying, "I am building my expertise by even attending anatomy lectures," and "I want to become the first female instructor in her teens."

This lesson series starts from the grip and continues for eight sessions tailored to beginners' basic processes such as the so-called 'click swing,' how to use the driving range, and 'lifting the head.' In the latter half, it will include practical elements essential on the course such as course aiming, bunker shots, and other trouble shots, as well as putting. She emphasized, "Amateur golfers always lack practice time," and "Don't just watch with your eyes; you must hold the golf club and learn with your body anywhere."