So, I was out on the course the other day, and man, my game was just all over the place. You know how it is. One good shot, followed by three that make you wonder why you even play this sport. It got me thinking, as I often do when I’m struggling, about some of the great players and how they handle things, or just how they played when they were at their peak.
And for some reason, Yani Tseng popped into my head. I remember vividly watching her when she was just tearing up the LPGA Tour. It felt like she was winning every other week, especially the majors. It wasn’t just that she won, but the way she dominated was something else. Just pure power and, it seemed, very little fear.
Trying to Channel a Bit of Yani
Now, I’m no pro, not even close. My handicap is… well, let’s just say it’s a work in progress. So, my “practice” wasn’t about trying to replicate her swing. I mean, that would be a disaster for someone like me. I’d probably throw my back out. But I did start to pay more attention to how she approached the game, at least from what I could see on TV.
My process was pretty simple, really. I’d go back and watch some highlights. Here’s what I focused on:
- Her driving: She just unleashed on the ball. I’m not built like that, but I tried to think about committing to my drives more, instead of tentatively poking at it.
- Her aggression: She always seemed to be going for pins. Now, that’s not always smart for us amateurs, but the mindset of being decisive, I tried to take a bit of that.
- Her demeanor: Even when things weren’t perfect, she had this focused look. I tried to emulate that a bit, especially after a bad shot. Instead of slumping, I’d try to refocus, think about the next one.
So, I’d head to the range. I’d picture her setup, her confidence. I’d tell myself, “Okay, just commit to this shot.” Did it magically turn me into a scratch golfer? Of course not. But it did change my mindset a little. For a while, I felt like I was playing with more intent. Sometimes, I’d even hit a few pure shots and think, “Hey, maybe there’s something to this!”
Then, of course, like all golfers, even the greats, she hit a period where the wins weren’t coming as easily. And watching that, in a strange way, also became part of my “practice.” Golf is a brutally hard game, mentally and physically. Seeing someone who reached the absolute pinnacle go through those struggles was a very humanizing thing. It reminded me that no one is immune to the frustrations of this game. It made my own triple bogeys feel, well, slightly less catastrophic in the grand scheme of things.
I remember one particularly awful round I was having. I was duffing chips, slicing drives, the works. I was so ready to just pick up my ball and walk back to the clubhouse. Then I kind of thought about the perseverance it must take for pros like Yani to keep grinding when they’re not playing their best, with all that pressure. It didn’t make me play better that day, not really, but I did finish the round. I figured if they can face that, I can at least get through 18 holes without a total meltdown.
So, my whole “Yani Tseng golf” exploration wasn’t about technical fixes. It was more about observing, trying to understand the mental fortitude, and finding a bit of inspiration. It’s a good reminder that this game is a journey, full of ups and downs, for everyone. And sometimes, just channeling a tiny bit of that champion’s confidence, even if it’s just in your head, can make your own round a little bit more enjoyable, or at least bearable. Still working on that consistent swing, though! That’s a lifelong project, I think.
