SPRINGFIELD, N.J. — Pro golf is a very different game than what us weekend hackers play. While recreational players are largely content with breaking 90, pros have much higher standards. Birdie looks and par saves are the norm, and any score that isn’t breaking par is typically a disappointment.
At the end of the day, though, it’s still golf. They face the same challenges we do as they chase around that little white ball. And from time to time, those challenges get all-consuming. That’s when a go-to swing thought comes in handy. When your swing goes awry, it’s important to have a thought to lean on when you’re over the ball to help you hit a solid shot.
At this week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, I asked a few LPGA Tour pros for their favorite go-to swing thoughts, which you can see below.
Maria Fassi: Smooth takeaway
When you try to hit the ball hard, you can get rushed during the swing. As a big bomber, this is a problem Maria Fassi faces. To help slow things down, she tries to make sure her takeaway is nice and smooth.
“I always work on my takeaway and make sure it’s not too quick,” Fassi said. “Once I have a good rhythm going back, I don’t worry too much about what’s happening at the top or my release or anything. If I can get a smooth takeaway, from there it’s go time.”
Carlota Ciganda: Exit left
Most golfers have a preferred shot shape that they’re comfortable with. For Carlota Ciganda, that’s a baby fade. In order to produce that left-to-right ball flight, she focuses on having the handle of her club exit to the left.
“I like swinging aggressive and to the left,” Ciganda said. “If I exit left, I can hit my little fade.”
Angel Yin: Short backswing
A powerful swing is always a good thing, but sometimes when trying to find that power, golfers will over-swing. To combat this fault, Angel Yin likes to think about shortening her backswing.
“I tend to over-swing and then my tempo gets really off,” Yin said. “As long as I have a short backswing and then turn my body through, I’ll usually hit the ball pretty well.”
Maja Stark: Hit the ground
Taking a proper divot is crucial for solid ball-striking. It helps you compress the ball and put spin on it, and it can tell you something about your swing path as well. Because of this, Maja Stark likes to think about hitting the ground for her go-to swing thought.
“I haven’t been doing that, so now I’m really focused on it,” she said. “Sometimes I don’t hit the ground, so I’m trying to hit the big ball as well as the little ball.”
