Focus Only on Coach Lessons That Suit You
Play Without Worrying About Swing Form
Poor Imitation May Erase Your Strengths
"There is no single correct answer to a golf swing."
This is the advice from Yoo So-yeon, who left the beloved field last April. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 27th, when asked to share tips for weekend golfers to improve their game, she pointed out, “Korean golfers tend to obsess over appearances. They focus on swinging beautifully.” She continued, “They pay too much attention to changing their swing form. I hope they don’t worry so much about the shape of their swing.”
Yoo So-yeon was famous for her excellent swing since her amateur days. It was called the “textbook swing.” Her swing focused on torso rotation. Her shot consistency was outstanding. Based on her perfect performance, she achieved six wins on the LPGA Tour, including two major championships. She is also a skilled player with one major win and a total of ten victories on the KLPGA Tour. She conquered the European and Japanese circuits as well and once reached world No. 1 in the rankings.
Yoo So-yeon also emphasized watching lessons from only one instructor. “We live in an information age. Everything is mixed up,” she said. “It’s good to watch a lot, but first, you need to check what suits your body condition and swing. Watching multiple lessons can be confusing. You need to focus on lessons from a coach that fits you.”
Yoo So-yeon said it is more important to have a swing that helps your score rather than a beautiful swing. She found an example in world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (USA). Scheffler won seven times on the PGA Tour this year, including the Masters, known as the “Tournament of Champions.” Last month, he also won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, making him a true No. 1. He won the Tour Championship, the final playoff event, becoming the FedEx Cup champion for the first time.
Scheffler’s swing is not ordinary. The position of his feet at address and after hitting the ball is noticeably different. Especially, his left foot twists forward, balancing only on the outside of the heel. This is similar to Choi Ho-seong’s “fisherman swing.” Scheffler chose this method in his junior years to maximize ground reaction force and increase his driving distance. For amateur golfers, excessive lower body movement can injure the ankles. It is an action that should never be imitated.
Yoo So-yeon pointed out, “Scottie’s foot movement is unique. There is a reason for that foot movement. It is to compensate for his weaknesses.” She warned, “Imitating foot movements is meaningless. Your good points may change and get mixed up. Your golf skills could regress.” She added, “You shouldn’t copy a swing just because someone is good at it. Amateur golfers have different bodies from professionals. Overdoing it can lead to injuries. On the course, you need to enjoy golf more.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
