Behind Hyundai Daughter-in-Law Revival Was a 'Jokjipge Sseuaengnim'... The Changing Korean Golf Lesson Scene

①Pro Specialization Trend
Director Lee Si-woo Consistent Lessons Lydia Go Revival Key Figure
‘Putting Master’ Coach Lee Seung-hyun Ba So-hyun 3 Wins Contributor
CEO Jung Green Mentality, Director Ham Sang-gyu Training Specialist

It is changing through specialization. This is the story of the domestic golf lesson industry. In the past, a specific instructor was responsible for everything. They mainly created perfect swings and passed on putting know-how to attract tour players. However, recently, it has changed drastically. The best 'teachers' in each field have emerged to support players from behind the scenes. They build golfers' bodies and even handle mental training. Specialists who respect players' individuality and pass on their own experiences have appeared.

Lee Si-woo, the head of Big Fish Academy, is the key figure behind Lydia Ko's comeback. Director Lee is seen smiling brightly while serving as Lydia Ko's caddie at the Hana Financial Group Championship.
[Photo by KLPGA]

For golf players, the swing is fundamental. In this area, Lee Si-woo, the head of Big Fish Academy, is famous. His disciples include Lydia Ko (New Zealand), who is active on the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, Ko Jin-young, and KLPGA Tour members Park Hyun-kyung, Bae So-hyun, and Kim Su-ji. Lee Hyo-song, who set the youngest winning record (15 years and 176 days old) at the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup, a major tournament on the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour, is also part of the 'Lee Si-woo group.'

Director Lee played a significant role in helping Lydia Ko regain her prime form. He has been coaching Lydia Ko since last winter. Lydia Ko won three times this year, including the AIG Women's Open, a major LPGA Tour event. She also made a spectacular comeback by winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics with overwhelming skill. Director Lee said, "We focused intensively on training to improve Lydia Ko's shot consistency."

What Director Lee considers most important is communication with players. Before lessons, he talks with the players to understand which parts they want to correct and improve. He emphasized, "There is no single correct answer in lessons. The process of discussing the direction of guidance is important." He does not force his own method unconditionally. "Each player has different physical conditions, swing rhythms, and habits. Customized coaching is essential."

Putting coach Lee Seung-hyun greatly contributed to Bae So-hyun's achievement of winning three times on the KLPGA Tour this year.

The most important aspect for tour players is green play. Performance depends on putting ability. Putting is also a newly spotlighted field these days. Coach Lee Seung-hyun, known as the 'master of putting' during his active career, is the trendsetter. Bae So-hyun, who debuted on the KLPGA Tour in 2017 without any wins, changed dramatically after meeting this coach. After succeeding on her 154th attempt at the E1 Charity Open in May, she added two more wins, totaling three victories this year. She shares the top spot for most wins this year with Park Ji-young, Lee Ye-won, and Park Hyun-kyung. The coach laughed, "I met Bae So-hyun in May last year. Now she has become someone who is good at putting."

This coach demonstrated outstanding putting skills during his KLPGA Tour days. Although he lacked long drives, he leveraged putting to achieve seven career wins, including two majors. He could have extended his existing tour card after pregnancy in 2021 and childbirth in 2022 but decided to retire to prepare for a second career. After officially retiring in May 2022, he immediately opened the 'Lee Seung-hyun Golf Studio' in Yangjae-dong, Seoul. "I wanted to run a putting academy since I was young. It's fun to share the know-how I have about putting."

Bae Sohyun is cheering while holding the trophy after winning her first career victory at the E1 Charity Open.
[Photo by KLPGA]

This coach is a 'spot-on putting teacher.' He imparts know-how to improve putting feel to his 'students,' including Bae So-hyun. His disciples include Kim Su-ji, Lim Hee-jung, Hong Ji-won, Jung Yoon-ji, Lee Da-yeon, and Park Do-young. He emphasizes three things to his juniors: address, grip, and rhythm. "Putting is difficult to send straight when nervous. It is important to make the timing of applying force consistent. I want to teach juniors the joy of putting."

He also takes care of players' routines and psychological states in preparing for putting, beyond just technical skills. As a senior, he does not hesitate to offer advice. After her first win, Bae So-hyun expressed gratitude, saying, "He cared a lot about me and kept encouraging me that I was doing well. I'm thankful that he made me good at putting."

Golf is a mental battle. The skill gap between players is not large. The key to performance is how boldly they act in moments of crisis and how intensely they concentrate. Various methods to strengthen mental toughness are being tried these days. Jung Green, CEO of Green Coaching Solution, is a well-known psychological coaching expert. He is the hidden strength behind Lydia Ko's three wins this year and her gold medal at the Paris Olympics after a slump. Players such as Lydia Ko, Ko Jin-young, Choi Hye-jin, Yoo Hae-ran, Kim Sung-hyun, Lee Kyung-hoon, Bae Sang-moon, Kim Kyung-tae (all golf), Shin Yu-bin (table tennis), Cha Jun-hwan (figure skating), Cha Yu-ram (billiards), and Son Ji-in (gymnastics) have all worked with CEO Jung. He has maintained a relationship with Lydia Ko for four years.

Jung Green, CEO of Green Coaching Solution, is the psychological coaching instructor of Ko Jin-young, who is ranked number one in the world.

CEO Jung said, "Players in a slump often talk a lot about waiting. I tell them to prepare and wait." He added, "I recommend meditation and emphasize the process of emptying the mind." He also gave advice to athletes: "Athletes have been raised to focus solely on competitions from a young age. They should not be obsessed with that. They need to broaden their perspective. The process is more important than the result. Problems arise when they are obsessed with results."

For players to endure a long season, foundational work is crucial. The training part is gaining new attention. It involves building a body capable of playing golf, loosening tight muscles, and preventive exercises to avoid injuries. In this field, Ham Sang-gyu, CEO of Golf Performance Lab (GPL), is a leading figure. He has worked as a trainer for the Doosan professional baseball team, the national baseball team, and the national handball team. Park Ji-young, a new powerhouse on the KLPGA Tour, is receiving help from CEO Ham. He provides training and care for LPGA Tour, KPGA Tour, and junior players. He manages about 100 players, including 30 professional and 70 junior players. There is also a separate support and cooperative hospital.

A professional trainer from Golf Performance Lab (GPL) is treating a golfer who has finished a round.
[Photo by GPL]

At KLPGA Tour venues, you can see two GPL Performance Vans. They are filled with equipment for body management. Among players, they are known as Healing Vans that heal both body and mind. CEO Ham currently holds a physical therapy license and trainer certification and employs 16 trainers. KLPGA Tour players receiving care from GPL include Park Ji-young, Lee Ye-won, Lim Hee-jung, Cho Ah-yeon, and Lee Ga-young. CEO Ham said, "Our mission is to help players have long careers," adding, "We combine perfect warm-ups, physical training, and injury treatment. After rounds, we loosen muscles through massages."