Asian Golf Issue 258: May 2022 by Asia Pacific Golf Group

ISSUE

258

M AY 2 0 2 2

ASIAN GOLF’s latest annual special on the “Power Hitters In Golf” is out and it celebrates the achievements of these remarkable men and women in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East region for the 2021-2022 period. These are a special breed of men and women who have sought to keep the golf industry buzzing and to launch it onto a new path of growth in a post pandemic era. This calls for a unique brand of chutzpah to lead the push to overcome the odds and seek out new ways and opportunities to set the industry on firm footings again for the challenges ahead. People who are guided by the axiom to “Never Give Up … Don’t Ever Give Up”. They are fighters and who have been known to overcome numerous obstacles and who possess the DNA, stamina, and resources to return stronger than ever. These are leaders who in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson “Do not follow where the path may lead. They go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Simply The Best! Like in previous years, ASIAN GOLF conducted its search with the following criteria in focus: ~ Scale of involvement with golf; ~ Measurable investments in golf projects; ~ Commitment to grow the game of golf; This criteria has helped sharpen the selection process and the 2021/22 list is both representative and reflective of the men and women who are known to be making major contributions towards the development and growth of golf throughout Asia.

NORMAN’S SIMPLY POWERING ON! The April 24 deadline for players to register for Greg Norman’s Saudi Arabianbacked Super Golf League has come and gone and contrary to all the put-downs by golf’s bureaucrats and hostile media, the “Great White Shark” is the one who seems to be winning.

REGULARS

SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER IT’S TIME TO RE-INVENT YOUR GOLF CLUB!

The past two and half years have been arguably the most challenging and testing times faced by many businesses worldwide. The global pandemic has not spared any – big or small. As the world slowly emerges from this plague, a lot of smart and nimble businesses have used the downtime to think and explore new business strategies to get back into business and fast-track growth. At the same time, many others have simply decided to stick with the original game plan and conduct their respective businesses as though nothing has really changed.

10 EQUIPMENT FOCUS

WANT TO BE GOBSMACKED? PXG WILL KNOCK THE SOCKS OFF YOUR FEET! PXG is back! The brand that carries a high price tag has just launched its latest family of clubs – the GEN5 which includes drivers, fairways, hybrids and irons.

The man behind PXG is the maverick billionaire entrepreneur Bob Parsons. In launching the GEN5, Parsons said, “We absolutely killed it with these clubs … GEN5 is better in every way possible. From explosive distance to tight dispersion, to the oh-so sweet feel of forgiveness on every shot, these clubs are a master class in performance!” Check out what makes the GEN5s stand out!

46 ATTHAYA – SHE’S LEARNING THE “ROPES” IN AMERICA Atthaya Thitikul – this 19-year-old, already a star in her own right is now on her way to becoming a global legend in ladies professional golf. To get a better understanding of what makes this young teenager tick, ASIAN GOLF commissioned Kiran Kanwar, LPGA Master golf instructor to catch up with Atthaya and give our readers her expert opinion on the rising superstar.

ARIYA NEEDS SCIENCE TO GET OUT OF THE RUT!

ASIAN GOLF is proud to present what we strongly believe is an expert analysis of the challenges faced by Ariya Jutanugarn currently and the solutions to help get her game back on track. To do this, we had our-man-on-the spot take some snapshots of Ariya in practice during the recently concluded LPGA DOI LA Open in Los Angeles and we presented these visuals together with a video for golf coach Kiran Kanwar to analyze.

XREAD MORE

Mike Sebastian

INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITOR

Alan Campbell (China/Middle East)

Editor/Chief Executive Ofﬁcer [mike@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Correspondent

GLOBAL EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL

Angela Raymond

President [angela@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Gregg Patterson

President, Tribal Magic Inc.

Andrew Wood Founder/President, Legendary Marketing

James Cronk

Raquel Arcega

Executive Creative Art Director [raquel@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

President, Cronk Group

IT Consultant Tech-Know Integrators

Alice Ho

INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Business Manager [alice@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Alice Ho

Email: alice@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com

ASIAN GOLF www.asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com Tel: +65 Company Registration No.: 201405689G

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED No part of Asian Golf may be reproduced in any other publications, printed or published without the written permission of the publisher. Opinions in Asian Golf are the writers’ and are not necessarily endorsed by Asian Golf. Asian Golf accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. Manuscripts, photographs and artwork will not be returned unless accompanied by appropriate postage.

A 5 star championship golf course located in Indonesia’s city of Bandung. Parahyangan Golf is set admist picturesque lakes, rolling hills and lush paddy ﬁelds.

SHARED THOUGHTS

FROM THE PUBLISHER

SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM THE PUBLISHER

SIAN GOLF’s Global Correspondent, Andrew Wood thinks otherwise. A marketing expert who has written numerous books, consulted with golf clubs all over the world and spoken at major international conferences on golf, including the Asia Paciﬁc Golf Summit, which is owned by ASIAN GOLF, the “Legendary Marketing Guru” pulls no punches when he declares the dawn

of a new era for golf clubs that calls for a total mindset change. Using Walt Kelly, the creator of POGO and his wise statement, “We have met the

enemy and he is us” as his platform for change, this is what Andrew has to say: “Most golf clubs are the product of decades of different committees, owners, management companies, and club managers who made thousands of good, and bad decisions. Decisions that they thought were the right thing to do at the time. Many of those decisions, in regard to fees, club rules, policies, budgets, and membership options, are still in place although often hopelessly out of date or counter-productive to their current market conditions. I had a consultation with a club that had over 12 different membership options. Since their bylaws required a two-thirds majority to remove a category, and because of people missing from the meeting or because one or more committee members are aligned with a special interest, no one ever has succeeded in removing any of the options. Each one of these categories that are not

the ones best suited to the club’s goals is in fact detrimental

out giving much thought to what’s going on in the world around

to the club’s goals. The offers cannibalize each other and

them. They have the desirability, reputation and ﬁnancial

make it harder to sell the one membership that will most

power to ignore it and still be operating successfully a hundred

help the club thrive. Instead, the club tries to appeal to 11

years from now. The vast majority of the golﬁng world cannot.

other subcategories, which confuses the sales process and diminishes the value of full club membership. Many clubs try to increase business by pandering to

The golf business has seen a series of dramatic changes in the last decade. None of them were good for the typical club no matter what segment of the market you happened to

multiple special interests and creating multiple member-

be operating in, be it private, daily fee or resort. While some

ships that appeal to small groups of people. On the surface,

clubs have enjoyed a big COVID bump, others have seen a

this seems like a perfectly logical thing to do however what

drastic loss in income. Whatever your case, the new normal,

it actually does is cannibalize the one or two offers that give

will not be the old normal. Now is the time to re-invent your

the club the best chance of business success. Multiple offers

club to insure a proﬁtable and sustainable future.”

muddy the water and confuse people from choosing the option that’s in the best interest of the club. Management should decide which option is in the best possible interests of the club and then position two other options on

Andrew is not the sort of a guy who shoots his mouth just for the sake of creating drama and impact. He is all about results – seeking out the problems and providing the right solutions! In this context, a perfect roadmap to assist golf clubs get

either side of it to make that singular option

back on track is Andrew’s hot seller “Re-Inventing Your Golf

seem like the most attractive option there is.

Club”. In it, he offers incredible advice on how a golf club can

To do this you need a clear competitive

develop an unbeatable competitive advantage to reinvent and

advantage. The Covid boost will NOT last

reinvigorate a golf club in a post pandemic recovery environ-

forever!

ment. He will show you how to cut costs, add value, and focus

There are hundreds of golf clubs around

your resources, in the right places, for maximum results.

the world whose, beauty, history, fame and

The book can be ordered from the following link:

location mean they can go on operating like

https://www.amazon.com/Reinventing-Your-Golf-Club-

they have for a hundred years or more with-

Andrew-ebook/dp/B093WWQT98

Whatever your case, the new normal, will not be the old normal. Now is the time to re-invent your club to insure a proﬁtable and sustainable future.

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COVER STORY

POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

COVER STORY | POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

Since the onset of the global pandemic, the world and the nations that populate it and the businesses and commerce that keep the Planet humming along have all faced trying times. As though the battle to defeat the deadly virus was not enough, the challenges faced were compounded by conflicts, the worst being the current raging war between Russia and the Ukraine. These have been very trying times for nations, governments, corporations and the individual. No one has been spared the pain and the ravages of these global challenges. As this article is being written, the pandemic is wreaking havoc in China where the pandemic outbreak was first reported more than two years ago. Fortunately, while the world was fighting off the dreaded health threats, economic downturns and regional and international conflicts, there was a group of men and women who helped to provide a stout defense to keep one industry safe in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East region. It was not an easy assignment to undertake but given the resolve, resources and vision of these individuals, they were able to muster enough strength to keep the golf industry moving forward, albeit at a reduced pace.

Nonetheless, full credit has to be given to these men and women for forming the bastion of support to try and safeguard the golf industry and as a mark of appreciation for their work, ASIAN GOLF has elected to celebrate their achievements and contributions by honouring them in its annual list of “The Most Powerful Men And Women In Golf” in the Indo-Paciﬁc and Middle East region for the 2021-2022 period.

COVER STORY | POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

hese are a special breed of men and women who have sought to keep the golf industry buzzing and to launch it onto a new path of growth in a post pandemic era. This calls for a unique brand of chutzpah to lead the push to overcome the odds and seek out new ways and opportunities to set the industry on firm footings again for the challenges ahead. People who are guided by the axiom to “Never Give Up … Don’t Ever Give Up”. They are fighters and who have been known to overcome numerous obstacles and who possess the DNA, stamina, and resources to return stronger than ever. These are leaders who in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson “Do not follow where the path may lead. They go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” They are the true TITANS who have taken on the call to help navigate the golf industry through a new phase of growth. Over the past eight years, ASIAN GOLF has created a prestigious platform to celebrate these pantheons of the industry. In almost all walks of life and especially in the world of business, it is an accepted practice to celebrate high achievers and those who wield power. Awards are a way to recognize their achievements and in the business world, the most credible and outstanding awards are The Stevie International Business Awards, The Fortune Global 500 listings and The Forbes Global 2000 listings for the World’s Largest Companies amongst many others. For the world of sports there is the prestigious Laureus awards. Collectively, these awards are conducted annually to recognise the best of breed and being recognised is the ultimate measure of achievement and excellence. Like these awards, the Asian golf industry has been recognising its best of the best annually for the past seven years. While conservatives in the golf industry refer to this award programme as the annual search for “Asia’s Most Powerful People In Golf”, the official name of the recognition event is “Asia’s Power Hitters”. ASIAN GOLF launched the programme in 2014 to recognise the men and women driving the growth of golf on the giant Continent of Asia. Over this period, ASIAN GOLF has kept track of the accomplishments of the kingpins of golf and is proud to release its latest list of golf’s high achievers for 2021/22. The compilation of this annual series has been quite a challenging task given the fact that many of the truly powerful people in business in Asia tend to maintain a low profile. The golf industry is no different

especially when it comes to identifying corporations or individuals behind major investments and developments in the industry. Like in previous years and guided by a credo of the late Steve Jobs of Apple who said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower,” ASIAN GOLF conducted its search with the following criteria in focus: ~ Scale of involvement with golf; ~ Measurable investments in golf projects; ~ Commitment to grow the game of golf; This criteria has helped sharpen the selection process and the 2021/2022 list and is both representative and reﬂective of the men and women who are known to be making major contributions towards the development and growth of golf throughout Asia. “For any industry to grow, there is a need for recognition and acknowledgement – there is a need for heroes to help set standards and with this list, we are glad to have played a role in helping to build global recognition for the movers and shakers of the Asian golf industry,” said Mike Sebastian, chief executive ofﬁcer of the ASIAN GOLF, the owner of the programme.

Never Give Up … Don’t Ever Give Up”. They are ﬁghters and who have been known to overcome numerous obstacles and who possess the DNA, stamina, and resources to return stronger than ever. These are leaders who in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson “Do not follow where the path may lead. They go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

COVER STORY | POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

he Arab Golf Federation was founded in 1974 and represents the collective interests of 19 member nations, whose mission is to streamline governance of the golf game in the Arab world and enhance the overall development of golf by creating more and better playing opportunities for its members. When he assumed his new role, Al-Rumayyan, who has also served as chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation since 2018, said: “It is an honour for me to take on the role as AGF President. I am not only a passionate golfer, but recognise the true value the sport can deliver, across all our societies. I pledge my full commitment to focusing on how the AGF can support the game’s governing bodies, in their mission to develop the game around the world, as well as mobilizing our collective resources to maximize opportunities for Arab nations in our growing participation in game’s global future.” “The Arab Golf Federation represents one of the most important regional clusters in not only global golf development, but worldwide professional golf. Since as far back as the late eighties, the Middle East has become a catalyst for the game’s growth and enjoys a rich heritage in promoting the sport. This is something I know all members take great pride in and is a driving force in our vision for the future.” Sport has been a cornerstone of Al-Rumayyan’s career and as the Governor of the US$600 billion plus Public Investment Fund (PIF) – the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – he is responsible for the multi-billion-dollar investment in sporting events forming part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s economic and social reform programme. With a Harvard Business School education and subsequent experience in wealth management and investment banking, the AGF stands to beneﬁt from Al Rumayyan’s business acumen, as well as a passion for, and substantial professional expertise in, the development of Saudi golf.

HIS S EXCEL LLE EN CY YASIR AL- RUMAYYAN President of the Arab Golf Federation and Chairman of Golf Saudi

COVER STORY | POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

keen golfer, Al Sorour said: “I am incredibly proud to serve as the Secretary General of the Arab Golf Federation and given the ever-increasing prominence of Saudi Arabia in the global golf industry, I am conﬁdent that we will be able to deliver an inspired strategy for golf in the Middle East which sees the sport’s continued growth in the region.” One of Al Sorour’s main missions is to lead the thrust of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to pioneer “new benchmarks” in mass participation, design and management. “Saudi Arabia will become golf’s most dynamic market within a decade,” Al Sorour said. Golf Saudi and the SGF have already mapped out a new ecosystem for the game in the Kingdom, focused around six key development pillars: Sustainability, Access and Infrastructure, Events, National Team and Academies, Mass Participation and Tourism. Among Golf Saudi’s targets over the next decade are to build a grassroots foundation of between 13-27,000 registered players, to ensure more than one million Saudi nationals have actively tried golf, as well as establishing golﬁng camps for children with a minimum of one camp per week at each golf course, with each camp consisting of roughly 30 children. “I have a number of over-arching aspirations for golf in the Kingdom, but fundamentally I want golf to help develop the leaders of tomorrow, in government, in business and in all walks of life.”

HIS EXCELL LEN N CY MAJED AL SOROUR CEO and Deputy Chairman of both Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation is also the Arab Golf Federation’s Secretary General

COVER STORY | POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

r. Pham leads Vingroup which is reportedly one of Vietnam’s largest conglomerates and he is ranked as the nation’s richest man. Mr. Pham studied in Russia and upon graduation, started a popular instant noodle business in Ukraine before moving back to Vietnam. The billionaire entrepreneur (rated by FORBES Magazine to have a net worth of US$6.4) recently announced the development of two new 18-hole golf courses on the banks of the spectacular Ha Long Bay. The golf courses will sit within a massive new US$10 billion urban complex in Ha Long Xanh covering 9,000 hectares and expected to become home to a quarter million people. Mr. Pham’s Vinpearl Group also owns Vietnam’s largest international hotel chain which owns 45 facilities, with over 18.500 rooms and villas, three theme parks, two amusement parks, two animal safari parks, and four golf courses in 17 cities and provinces. He also has businesses which develop real estate and a company that makes smartphones and other devices. In 2021, he launched Vinfast, the group’s electric vehicles manufacturer in the United States and Mr. Pham plans to invest US$4 billion in an EV factory in North Carolina to make electric SUVs.

MR. PHAM NHAT VUONG Chairman of Vingroup

COVER STORY | POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

adame Nguyen Thi Nga owns a number of golf courses including the award-winning Kings’ Island Golf Club in Hanoi. The powerful lady who has extensive business interests in Vietnam has entered an exclusive business partnership with Nicklaus Design, the company owned by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. Under this agreement Madame Nga’s BRG Group plans to develop a total of ten world class golf courses in Vietnam. This will effectively make her the owner of arguably the most number of golf courses in the country. Chairwoman of BRG Group Nguyen Thi Nga is the only Vietnamese businessperson to be named 2020 Global Trade Ambassador by the US Organization of Women in International Trade for her 30 years of contributing to the development of global business cooperation, especially in furthering the relations between the United States and Vietnam. The billionaire businesswoman’s BRG Group is a leading multidisciplinary group operating in banking, real estate, and golf. It has cooperated with various leading international hospitality management groups to enrich the Vietnamese tourism scene with high-end hotel and resort brands, including Sheraton Grand Danang Resort, InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, Hilton Hanoi Opera, and Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa.

MADAM ME NGU UYEN THI NGA A Chairman, BRG Group, Vietnam

COVER STORY | POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

ince the programme was ﬁrst initiated, the most dominant name on the “Power Hitters” list has been the Mission Hills Group of China. One cannot overlook the continuing success of Mission Hills, arguably the biggest showcase of golf anywhere in the world. The Mission Hills dream started nearly three decades ago in China when the visionary Chinese entrepreneur Dr. David Chu set out to create the world’s largest golf resort in China. Today, Dr. Ken Chu and Tenniel Chu operate a total of 22 world class golf courses in Shenzhen on the Chinese Mainland and the offshore island of Hainan. The Chu brothers have transformed their facility in Haikou, Hainan into a veritable world class entertainment, shopping, dining, sports, lifestyle, and golﬁng complex. They have created a multi-faceted fantasy land that would outstrip anything, anywhere in the world. What they have achieved since taking over is monumental in scope and scale. Their wonderland in the once waste lands of Haikou ranks amongst the new wonders of the world. The Chu brothers possess tremendous foresight and a bold business aptitude to bring together the best to deliver the best and what they have built in Haikou is a showcase to the world of what can be done when there is a strong human will to drive a multi-billion dollar mammoth project, spanning over some 44 square miles.

DR. KEN CHU Group Chairman & CEO, Mission Hills Group, China

MR R. TENN NIE EL CHU Group Vice Chairman, Mission Hills Group, China

COVER STORY | POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

r. Pawan Munjal is a major ﬁnancial sponsor of golf events in India and has almost single-handedly made professional competitions possible. He heads up what is the largest motor-cycle company in the world and as a leading industrialist, he has ﬂexed his industrial muscle and has actively undertaken to promote the game of golf all over the country. As a renowned industry leader, he has provided powerful leadership that is needed for golf development to succeed against other sports such as the all-popular game of cricket. Besides India, Dr. Munjal plays a very prominent role in the growth of golf internationally and amongst the top global golf events that Munjal supports is the annual Hero World Challenge that is held under the auspices of Tiger Woods in the Bahamas.

DR. PAWAN MUNJAL Chairman, Managing Director & CEO of Hero MotoCorp., India

COVER STORY | POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

anti Bhirombhakdi is the President of Singha Corporation Co., Ltd, the company behind the worldfamous Singha Beer. He is the most inﬂuential personality in the business of golf in Thailand and is engaged in golf course ownership, player development and the sponsorship of golf tournaments in Thailand, the ASEAN region and throughout East Asia. Bhirombhakdi was the chief founder of the Thai PGA and serves as its President. He is also the patron of the Asian Tour, the region’s premier professional golf tour.

MR. SAN NTI B HIR ROMB HAKDI President & CEO, SINGHA Corporation, Thailand

COVER STORY | POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

e Van Kiem is a top industry leader in Vietnam who has played a pivotal role in growing golf in Vietnam. Already an owner of three mega golf complexes in Vietnam and Laos, he has embarked on development plans that include a large multi-billion-dollar upscale development set on a stunning 800ha site with 5km of ocean frontage set on Cam Ranh Bay. The resort is designed to feature multiple 4 and 5-star hotels, a world class entertainment zone, upscale marina, polo club, theme park, luxury villas and many more attractions including the recently opened Greg Norman designed 18-hole golf course in Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam. Mr. Le is also renowned for his philanthropic work and FORBES Magazine has ranked him and his wife as the 7th most generous philanthropists in the Asia-Pacific region. Commenting on his ethos for charity, Mr. Le said, “To be successful, you must put yourself in the shoes of others to have the same thinking, understanding and sympathy as them. In other words, if you live wholeheartedly for everyone, deep down inside yourself, you will feel happy. That is the highest realm of enlightenment.” The 76-year-old entrepreneur, who once was a highly competitive single-handicapper in golf, maintains that he still aspires to dedicate himself to his work. “The water rises and the boat is still floating above it. As soon as the company grows, employees’ lives will be better as a result. For me, the concept of retirement does not exist at all. As long as I am fine, I will still work. I do my best to make the country richer and stronger, employees’ lives more fulfilled, the community more civilized and progressive.”

LE VAN N KIEM Chairman, KN Investment Group, Vietnam

COVER STORY | POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

anked as one of the top power players and billionaires in the Philippines, Enrique K. Razon, Jr., is an avid golfer who holds key interests in the country’s top golf courses. He is actively engaged in the sports and entertainment business and serves as the chairman of Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., which is the company behind The Philippine Golf Tour, the country’s premier golf tournament circuit. Razon’s grandfather began with a port in Manila in 1916. Razon’s father rebuilt the business after World War II. Razon started out in the port business with his dad in Manila and transformed it into a global giant. His hospitality ﬁrm, Bloomberry Resorts Co., includes its crown jewel, the Solaire Casino and Resort in the Philippines.

ENRIQU UE ‘RICK KY’ K. RAZON JR R., Chairman and CEO of the Manila-listed company International Container Terminal Services, Inc., Philippines

COVER STORY | POWER HITTERS 2021 | 2022

im Young-chan is the founder and chairman of Golfzon, headquartered in South Korea. This company commands the largest share of the global golf simulator market. The Golfzon simulator allows everyone to easily enjoy indoor golf. The simulator provides realistic rounds of golf from tee shot to hole-out thanks to advanced 3D graphics technology that reproduces actual golf courses. Golfzon has been producing golf simulators since 2000 in Korea and now enjoys the biggest market share in the global golf market. The company has more than 30,000 simulators at 5,500 sites in 48 countries. It has over 2 million members worldwide and accounts for more than 545 million rounds of golf played. Golfzon is also the LPGA Tour’s ofﬁcial golf simulator provider. Statistics show that approximately 50 million people around the world are playing screen golf at least once a year. Since its founding in 2000, GOLFZON has grown annual sales to approximately US$350 million (in 2014). Additionally, some 40,000 workers are employed in the screen golf industry.

KIM M YOUNG-CHAN Founder and Chairman, Golfzon Newdin Group, South Korea

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SPECIAL FEATURE

NORMAN WINS

SPECIAL FEATURE | NORMAN WINS

The April 24 deadline for players to register for Greg Norman’s Saudi Arabian-backed Super Golf League has come and gone and contrary to all the put-downs by golf’s bureaucrats and hostile media, the “Great White Shark” is the one who seems to be winning. PHIL MICKELSON

LEE WESTWOOD

CHARL SCHWARTZEL

BRANDEN GRACE

IAN POULTER

LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN

s of the deadline, it is reported that more

a 54-hole event with no cut and will employ a shotgun start

than 70 players have registered for Nor-

for the ﬁrst two rounds.

man’s LIV Golf’s opening event in London

The ﬁrst seven events will have US$25 million purses,

in June. Of this number, 15 are said to be

with US$20 million for the individual portion: US$4 million

ranked among the top 100 in the world.

will go to the winner with approximately US$120,000 being

The biggest catch is believed to be the world’s best loved

left-handed superstar, Phil Mickelson who is said to have

paid for ﬁnishing last. Meanwhile, the season ﬁnale of the Saudi Arabian-

registered to play in the London opener. At the time of writ-

backed Super Golf League will be hosted by Donald Trump’s

ing, word was out that Spanish golﬁng legend Sergio Garcia

‘Blue Monster’ course.

has applied for release to play in the ﬁrst tournament. Other names being ﬂashed around include potential future Ryder Cup captains Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter and

The Trump National Doral Miami will stage the seasonending US$50million competition from October 27-30. The big winners will share a cut of US$16million which

world No.15 and 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and

is being bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi

fellow South Africans Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace.

Arabia.

The opening event will have a 48-man ﬁeld. Each of the tournaments in Norman’s Super League is reported to be

Well, from hereon, expect Norman and his Super Golf League to grab all the big headlines!

VISIT WWW.GOLFCITIZEN.COM OR DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP TO GET STARTED

www.golfcitizen.com

EQUIPMENT FOCUS

PXG GEN5

EQUIPMENT FOCUS | PXG GEN5

Ever since we were ﬁrst introduced to PXG aka Parsons Xtreme Golf back in 2014, we have been continually gobsmacked. ASIAN GOLF’s ﬁrst reaction to the brand was that it was an upstart bankrolled by a billionaire on a journey to disrupt the golf club industry. The billionaire in question is no ordinary rich guy – it is Bob Parsons, entrepreneur extraordinaire and the founder of the revolutionary Internet business, GoDaddy.com. The ex-Marine who saw battle in Vietnam got into the golf equipment business simply because he was frustrated with equipment available on the market – prior to starting his business in golf, Parsons had spent more than a quarter million American dollars on equipment. To put an end to this, he launched PXG and as he put it, “Our idea was to see if we could engineer golf equipment without a time constraint or a cost constraint.

Our only constraint was high performance and a big “wow factor.” It took us a couple of years — we sold our first irons in 2015.” The critics, industry’s pundits of doom and virtually everyone else put the launch of PXG down as a flash in the pan and now in 2022, Parsons’ PXG is a brand to be seriously reckoned with. Driving his challenge-oriented team Parsons has just launched his newest line of clubs and as its so typical of the man, the latest is a reflection of an awesome paradigm shift – he has thrown the gear shift into race mode and is rocketing down the raceway to rock the golfing world with a “wow factor” like nothing experienced before!

EQUIPMENT FOCUS | PXG GEN5

hatever adjectives and superlatives that we use to describe the man and his products don’t really live up to the man. He is bigger than life and ASIAN GOLF means its because he was our

special keynote speaker at our annual Asia Pacific Golf Summit in Danang Vietnam, his first visit to that country since the Vietnam War ended. Parsons flew in on his private jet all the way from Scottsdale, Arizona and his address to more than 300 topflight Asian golf executives simply blew them all away! Now, let’s see how we can blow you away with some of the most gorgeous looking golf clubs that you can expect to set your eyes on this year! Presenting the PXG GEN5 line-up of drivers, fairways, hybrids and irons. “We absolutely killed it with these clubs,” exclaimed Bob Parsons. “GEN5 is better in every way possible. From explosive distance to tight dispersion, to the oh-so sweet feel of forgiveness on every shot, these clubs are a master class in performance!” And this feeling was echoed by Dubai-based golf coach and PXG brand ambassador Alex Riggs. who said,

“First round with PXG GEN5s, and instantly I’m a fan! These

moment of inertia (MOI), faster ball speeds, longer distances,

golf clubs are coming off hot, the sound is incredible, and

and tighter dispersion, all coupled with the exceptional feel

the ball is going where I want it to.”

and sound golfers have come to expect from PXG.

The GEN5s are clean and mean and ready to rock! Before we dive into checking out each new club in

It has to be noted that across the lineup, the GEN5 feature new patented technologies that are both seen

the PXG GEN5 family, it would help to revisit the ﬁrst

and unseen with advancements in materials innovations,

PXG 0311® Irons that disrupted the golf industry with

precision engineering, and personalized performance.

groundbreaking performance fueled by a relentless and

The ASIAN GOLF deep-dive starts with the GEN5 drivers.

uncompromising approach to research and development.

Unique to the GEN5 Driver is a High-Speed Ti412 Face and

The 0311 moniker became a symbol for being a game-

Variable Face Design. The titanium alloy face material has an

changer, an innovator, and a benchmark by which other

exceptionally high yield strength and a low elastic modulus

clubs would be measured.

to generate signiﬁcant face deﬂection resulting in ultra-fast

Similarly, the full line of PXG 0311 GEN5 Golf Clubs

ball speeds. The variable thickness face features internal

have adhered to the same exacting standards as the

topographic geometries that help reduce mass and enhance

company’s ﬁrst irons, with all the new technologies that

ball speeds while also increasing durability.

come from years of advancement. Based on the engineering standards and the quest for

“The GEN5 driver is my favourite club in the bag,” said PXG LPGA Tour Professional Gina Kim. “It performs so well

performance, it is very evident from the outset that the PXG

on the course. I’m hitting it longer and straighter which

team did not settle for just another set of new clubs – they

allows me to take shorter clubs and be more aggressive for

wanted to raise the bar to a whole new level and this they

birdie, and sometimes eagle, opportunities.”

have done. The new golf clubs deliver signiﬁcantly increased

GEN5 drivers are available in two impressive

We absolutely killed it with these clubs.GEN5 is better in every way possible. From explosive distance to tight dispersion, to the oh-so sweet feel of forgiveness on every shot, these clubs are a master class in performance! – BOB PARSONS

EQUIPMENT FOCUS | PXG GEN5

models. The standard PXG 0311 GEN5 driver presents

Precision Weighting Technology pushes mass to

a comfortable, traditional head shape, tall, deep face,

the extreme perimeter to drastically increase MOI

and low-spin design to deliver maximum ball speed

while Robotic Polishing, a high-precision process,

and distance. The PXG 0311 XF® GEN5 driver offers

helps ensure the bulge and roll radii are held to the

a conﬁdence-inspiring head shape, a larger face that

tightest tolerances to produce ideal ball flight even on

expands the hitting zone, and a mid-spin design for added

off-centre hits.

forgiveness. Next on deck are the GEN5 fairway woods and

“I’ve never seen a better-looking 3-wood,” said PXG Korn Ferry Tour

hybrids. PXG has again upped its woods game, taking

Professional Nicolas Echavarria. “And

forgiveness to the extreme. These clubs are wrapped

it is not only forgiving but also long.”

in a band new strikingly clean design and deliver up

New PXG GEN5 fairways

to 37-percent higher MOI in select models because of

and GEN5 hybrids offer profound

advances in head shape and internal structures.

forgiveness, impeccable accuracy, and

Shared technology presented across the GEN5

an incredibly sweet sound.

Woods lineup includes a Full Aluminum Vapor (AV)

To create a high-performance

Carbon Fiber Crown, an internal Supported Weight

head design with ideal launch and spin

Structure, Precision Weighting Technology, and Robotic

characteristics, GEN5 fairways and GEN5

Polishing.

hybrids are made from a high-strength

The lightweight crown, made entirely from high-

AM355 steel body material. The body

grade carbon ﬁber, helps save critical mass, while

material is coupled with an HT1770

the AV Technology stiffens the structure and reduces

stainless steel high-speed, squared

energy loss. The Supported Weight Structure dampens

face to promote insanely fast ball

harsh vibrations at impact and produces higher modal

speeds.

frequencies to deliver a dynamic feel and gratifying sound to set these golf clubs worlds apart from anything else.

Both the GEN5 fairways and GEN5

Generating an incredibly high MOI, PXG 0311 XF GEN5 fairways, and PXG 0311 XF GEN5 hybrids offer mid-spin options to deliver a confidence-inspiring head shape. A Railed Sole Geometry is paired with a forgiveness-enhancing flat sole design for improved turf interaction, especially for those with a steep angle of attack. hybrids are available in two distinct models. Standard PXG 0311 GEN5 fairways and PXG 0311 GEN5 hybrids feature a low-spin head with a comfortable shape at address. A flat sole design keeps mass low and pushes weight to the perimeter for increased forgiveness. Generating an incredibly high MOI, PXG 0311 XF GEN5 fairways, and PXG 0311 XF GEN5 hybrids offer mid-spin options to deliver a confidence-inspiring head shape. A Railed Sole Geometry is paired with a forgiveness-enhancing flat sole design for improved turf interaction, especially for those with a steep angle of attack.

EQUIPMENT FOCUS | PXG GEN5

The new PXG GEN5 irons are tremendous. The feel off the face is soft yet solid. The consistency of yardage and trajectory control, thus spin control, is apparent from day one. I believe this – ZACH JOHNSON, PXG PGA TOUR iron will make me a better player. Period. PROFESSIONAL AND 2023 RYDER CUP CAPTAIN Finally, time to check out the PXG GEN5 irons. These irons employ a new proprietary core - the innovative new

make me a better player. Period.” GEN5 irons also integrate Precision

core results from a multi-year collaboration with material

Weighting Technology, a sizeable adjustable

experts to develop a polymer speciﬁcally for PXG irons

weight located near the centre-of-gravity (CG)

that is lighter and faster. The Power Channel supports

on the back of the clubhead. This enables golfers

additional face loading at impact, increases the coefﬁcient

to experience various head weight conﬁgurations

of restitution (COR) and transfers more energy back into the

quickly and easily during a ﬁtting.

golf ball for faster ball speeds and more distance. Combined

The all-new irons have a remarkably complex, ﬁve-

with the thinnest face in golf, the overall system delivers

times forged body geometry. Each clubhead is also CNC

explosive performance and an incredibly soft feel.

milled to create an exact, thin-walled, high-performance

“The new PXG GEN5 irons are tremendous,” stated PXG PGA TOUR Professional and 2023 Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson. “The feel off the face is soft yet solid. The

design. The result is a mean aesthetic backed by PXG’s industry-leading engineering. PXG GEN5 Irons are available in three head shapes

consistency of yardage and trajectory control, thus spin

- each delivering profound performance beneﬁts,

control, is apparent from day one. I believe this iron will

including crazy distance and tight dispersion, for golfers

of varying abilities. PXG XP® irons are easy to hit, provide

Xtreme Dark ﬁnish and provide golfers with a high-end

formidable forgiveness and cannon like distance. PXG P®

Aerotech Steel Fiber Private Reserve shaft option or, if

irons introduce a sweet balance between forgiveness and

the customer chooses otherwise, any other shaft upgrade

playability. While PXG T® irons put skilled golfers in total

offered in PXG’s extensive matrix.

control of every shot. The company also introduced the PXG

Well, Parsons has done it again! The self-proclaimed

X® Driving iron for golfers seeking maximum distance on

golf nut has embodied his belief that every new product

tight fairways or in adverse conditions.

should be markedly better. Every innovation should

PXG GEN5 irons are available in Chrome, and an exclusive Xtreme Dark ﬁnish as part of a new Black Label EliteTM offering. Black Label Elite irons Feature a striking, wear-resistant Diamond-like Carbon Coating to create the

noticeably improve a golfer’s performance. And every moment of impact should elevate a golfer’s enjoyment. In summary, the 71-year-old founder of PXG is satisﬁed, at least for the moment until he rolls out his next arsenal of game-changing golf equipment – the PXG GEN6! As Parsons puts it: “That’s what we do, and we still did our job … we still have it.”

SPECIAL FEATURE

ATTHAYA THITIKUL

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E | AT T H AYA T H I T I K U L

Atthaya Thitikul – this 19-year-old, already a star in her own right is now on her way to becoming a global legend in ladies professional golf. There is no doubt that this teenager from Thailand is a hugely prodigious talent and she displayed her class when she emerged as the Order of Merit winner at the Ladies European Tour in 2021 and not surprisingly, she also walked away with the Rookie Of The Year title in the same year. She achieved all of this at 18-years-old against top European talent, talent that whacked the USA team at the last Solheim Cup. To get a better understanding of what makes this young teenager tick, ASIAN GOLF commissioned Kiran Kanwar, LPGA Master golf instructor to catch up with Atthaya and give our readers her expert opinion on the rising superstar. The following is her report:

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E | AT T H AYA T H I T I K U L

She loves to play golf and she is always smiling all the time even if she has a bogey or a double, ...she always thinks positive and looks at the world and people in a positive way.

he LPGA Tour is a veritable United Nations

When in play in a tournament, Atthaya is as cool as the

of golfers with amazingly talented players

proverbial cool cucumber. She is calm, collected and always

coming from all over the globe to participate

with a smile, so typical of the country she comes from. Given

in its events. The latest rookie to join the Tour

this excellent temperament and disposition, she laughed

is the prodigy from Thailand – Atthaya Thitikul.

when asked whether her mental game was stronger or her

Having won a professional golf event on the Ladies European

swing technique and said “I think it has to be someone else

Tour as an amateur at age 14, she won her ﬁrst LPGA event

[who] answers that not me” and looked towards her manager

just recently, a few days after turning 19.

Jack for a response.

So, what is it that sets this teenager apart and what

She then added, “I do not know what’s strong or not. I will

makes her tick? To start with, she has a sensible swing

say I can feel the nervousness, I can feel the hands shake, I

philosophy and even though she believes her strong grip and

can feel it all. What a way to handle it well and not show all the

probably closed clubface at the top of the backswing might

people that you are under pressure? All athletes have to ﬁnd

be considered “not good”, it suits her and she does not plan

the best thought to get past the nerves.” When asked what

to change that. She does not work on any swing changes

the best thought for her to do that was, she laughed again and

while on the road in any case, only in the off season.

said, “I have no idea”, and then added “stick to the process”.

You have to have everything 100% - the swing, mental, the people surrounding you, the experience and the luck. There are so many good players every week – if you play good and someone plays better, it is not going to be your week. If it’s your week, then everything will go smoothly. Atthaya’s maturity is something else especially for a person so young to project such conﬁdence at the highest level of the professional game. Perhaps this grounding should be credited to her grandfather and father who were keen to have her play a sport and had her watch TV shows of golf and tennis events to see which sport she liked more. They even told her that if she played a sport and just stuck to it and if she became good at it, it could become her job. That was how, by age six, this young lady was already a golfer. By age nine she knew they wanted her to become a professional and she herself had already made many friends in the game and liked it too. Atthaya grew up in the small town of Ratchaburi, which, with its population of under 40,000 is Southwest of Thailand’s capital city Bangkok, a bustling metropolis of 9 million people. She started out at a public driving range and would just go chipping and putting (you don’t have to pay for that!). When young, she did not go to a course much but practiced a lot. Did she already know she had the talent to make it at age six? She laughed in response to that question and said, “I mean like no I just stick with golf when I was six because I liked it. When I was nine they wanted me to be a pro golfer and I was happy to do that ‘cause I liked it and [there were] so many friends playing with me and fun.” She had many professional instructors work with her when she was growing up, but now works exclusively with one Thai golf coach. Of the many skills required to play golf at the highest level, such as swing technique, short game skills, course management, mental preparation and

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E | AT T H AYA T H I T I K U L

fitness, which does she focus on the most? ”You have to have everything 100% - the swing, mental, the people surrounding you, the experience and the luck. There are so many good players every week – if you play good and someone plays better, it is not going to be your week. If it’s your week, then everything will go smoothly.” So who are the people in Atthaya’s team? While it is her manager Kanes “Jack” Nitiwanakul and caddie Gong Banpot (who has caddied for many male golfers on the Asian Tour) who travel with her, her golf coach Kris Assawapimonporn (who is the former coach to the Thai national team) and her father who is frequently present on tour. Jack is, in fact, not just a manager who finds facilities for Atthaya to practice on during the occasional off week from playing on the Tour, but he is also her chef, chauffeur and probably greatest cheer leader. This is what Jack says about his ward and client: “She loves to play golf and she is always smiling all the time even if she has a bogey or a double, …. she always thinks positive and looks at the world and people in a positive way.” He adds that there is no problem about sponsorships as she is well supported by two big Thai corporations, namely the Siam Cement Group and CP. Atthaya is also a Callaway Brand ambassador; and has golf courses like the Sahalee Country Club in Seattle that provides her with playing privileges. It is no wonder than that it has been possible for Atthaya to adjust to the LPGA Tour fairly easily. She played many events last year which has helped her gain the experience to play in America. Breaking out into laughter, she giggled and said, “The weather is constantly changing, and often, the courses are subjected to windy conditions not to mention that there is such a variety of different surfaces and turf to play.” She went on to add that besides playing on a very different golf course each week, other challenges have been finishing on a Sunday and then packing up immediately to travel to the next venue, arriving jet-lagged and being challenged on how to manage her body and health through it all. Given this very demanding regimen, Atthaya has only missed one event this season. Although the task at hand is a never ending and demanding process, Atthaya takes it all in stride. She turns to her coach Kris for all challenges faced on-course - she always sends a picture or a video of perhaps the grass type to which she receives advice from Kris on how she might hit or chip from different grass types. Now that she is playing thousands of miles away from home,

It is surely her joi de vivre with a dash of insouciance, the ability to not take herself too seriously, perhaps a dash of fatalism in her attitude, and of course an almost 13-year history of practicing a lot, that have given her the early success the golf world has been so amazed with. she has managed to create a Thai environment around herself by never being away from Thai food or Thai friends. Manager Jack who cooks all Thai food for Atthaya is quick to jump in and add: “Jeeno (Atthaya’s nickname) eats everything … she is easy” to which Atthaya responds: “I’m not a picky eater, I like everything and Jack cooks some Thai food.” She has an older “sister” and close friend in Pajaree Anannarukam who plays on the LPGA and they “pretty much eat and hang out together” while frequently sharing accommodation while on tour. Given her considerable infrastructural support, what kind of season does Atthaya hope to have? “I will say that now that I have bagged my ﬁrst LPGA win for this year, it marks the start of a new page in my life as a professional player on arguably the toughest women’s tour on the planet.” In reference to her ultimate goal, she went on to add, “ I want to have a better game, a better shot, be better on and off the course every day.” For this year, she plans to get all the experience she can by trying to do her best every week. So, what’s the secret that’s driving Atthaya to seek greater success? It is surely her joi de vivre with a dash of insouciance, the ability to not take herself too seriously, perhaps a dash of fatalism in her attitude, and of course an almost 13-year history of practicing a lot, that have given her the early success the golf world has been so amazed with.

ABOUT THE WRITER: Kiran Kanwar is the former Winner of the All India Ladies Open Amateur Golf Championship. She possesses a Ph.D. (biomechanics, anatomy); LPGA Master golf instructor (thesis on golf injury); Chair of Golf Department, Stanton University, CA, USA; and the developer of the world’s only researched swing - Minimalist Golf Swing

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SPECIAL FEATURE

ARIYA JUTANUGARN

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E | A R I YA J U TA N U G A R N

One look at Ariya and you realize that she is a phenomenal athlete. After having qualiﬁed for an LPGA Tour event at age 11 and turning pro at age 17 and being the ﬁrst person from Thailand to win a major, what would have ever made her consider wanting to quit. Not to mention that she is a star with 12 wins on the LPGA Tour including two majors. Just being winless for the 2019 and 2020 seasons alone cannot be good enough reasons to call it quits! She is no quitter! She is simply too much of a champion to call it a day! – KIRAN KANWAR

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E | A R I YA J U TA N U G A R N

Never does a week go by without someone from somewhere in the world requesting to know what has happened to the once high-flying Thai superstar, Ariya Jutanugarn. It is only natural that these questions have been coming into ASIAN GOLF but unfortunately, we have not been in a position to explain with any authority or conviction as to why Ariya’s game seems to have gone AWOL. After all, she is the first golfer, male or female, from Thailand to win a major championship. She became the number one ranked golfer in the Women’s World Golf Rankings in June 2017. Jutanugarn qualified for the 2007 Honda LPGA Thailand at age 11, making her the youngest player ever to qualify for an LPGA Tour event. As

of early May 2013, she had played in three LPGA tournaments and four Ladies European Tour (LET) tournaments and had five top-4 finishes. In 2012, she was winner of the American Junior Golf Association (AFGA) girl Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. At the 2016 Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic, Jutanugarn earned her first LPGA Tour win and became the first Thai winner on this tour. She went on to win the next two LPGA tournaments, thereby becoming the first player in LPGA history to win her first three titles in consecutive fashion. Jutanugarn won her first major championship with a three-stroke victory at the 2016 Women’s British Open. Despite a mid-season slump in 2017 where Jutanugarn missed five cuts plus one withdrawal in a seven-tournament stretch, she still managed to win her 6th and 7th Tour titles. Her second Tour title of the year was

ARIYA JUTANUGARN OF THAILAND POSES WITH (FROM LEFT) THE ROLEX PLAYER OF THE YEAR TROPHY, THE LEADERS TOP 10 COMPETITION TROPHY, THE VARE TROPHY, THE ROLEX ANNIKA MAJOR AWARD AND THE RACE TO THE CME GLOBE TROPHY AFTER THE FINAL ROUND OF THE LPGA CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP IN FLORIDA, THE UNITED STATES.

the CME Group Tour Championship, the last event of the year, where she won US$500,000 after finishing the weekend with back-to-back 67s. In addition to her two Tour wins, Jutanugarn racked up three runner-up finishes, a third place showing, and a total of 10 top-10 appearances which saw her win US$1,549,858 and bringing her career total to US$4,583,332. This was the second consecutive season where she earned more than US$1,500,000. In 2018, Jutanugarn won three times, including the U.S. Women’s Open on 3 June 2018. On 18 November 2018, Jutanugarn won the season-long Race to the CME Globe and the US$1,000,000 bonus. For the 2018 season, Jutanugarn won the LPGA Player of the Year, the LPGA Vare Trophy with a scoring average of 69.415, the Leaders Top 10 competition with 17 top-10 finishes and the LPGA money title at US$2,743,949. She also set single season records in rounds in the 60s (57) and birdies (470).

She ended the 2018 season ranked number one in the world. In May 2021, Jutanugarn won the Honda LPGA Thailand in her home country. It was her first victory since 2018. After the win, she told the media that she had considered quitting golf during her winless seasons in 2019 and 2020. Her achievements are not ordinary – in fact her track record has been spectacular to say the least and this is what makes many to wonder what has suddenly happened to the great Ariya Jutanugarn. For the answers, we turned to an expert – Kiran Kanwar who holds a PhD in Kinesiology specializing in Biomechanics (major); Structural Anatomy (minor). She also has a master’s in science specializing in Nutrition and Human Performance, Sports Science and Rehabilitation and a bachelor’s in physics, Math. She is also a Master Professional certified by the LPGA and a host of other industry qualifications. Put simply, she knows what she’s talking about!

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E | A R I YA J U TA N U G A R N

SIAN GOLF is proud to present what we

She is no quitter! She is simply too much of a champion to

strongly believe is an expert analysis of the

call it a day!” When ASIAN GOLF reminded Kiran that Ariya has been

challenges faced by Ariya currently and the solutions to help get her game back on track.

self-counselling herself to be patient and committed and

To do this, we had our-man-on-the spot take

to believe in herself because “One day your turn is going to

some snapshots of Ariya in practice during the recently con-

come,” Kiran sighed and with a quizzical frown on her face

cluded LPGA DOI LA Open in Los Angeles and we presented

retorted: “And therein lies the rub. For how long can a golfer

these visuals together with a video for Kiran to analyze.

be patient? And what does it even mean to remain committed all the time? Usually, golfers take it to mean that they

As soon as Kiran received the visual evidence, she shot

should make sure to repeat their process and remain ‘in the

back and declared: “One look at Ariya and you realize that she is a phenomenal athlete. After having qualiﬁed for an

moment’. However, Tour players are like Dumbo the ﬂying

LPGA Tour event at age 11 and turning pro at age 17 and be-

elephant, and rely on their swing succeeding to remain con-

ing the ﬁrst person from Thailand to win a major, what would

ﬁdent. If the swing fails even a few times they scramble in

have ever made her consider wanting to quit. Not to mention

a vacuum for solutions that inevitably elude them, and thus

that she is a star with 12 wins on the LPGA Tour including

end up in the downward spiral of ever-worsening scores.”

two majors. Just being winless for the 2019 and 2020 sea-

So, its all about swing technique STUPID! Is that what

sons alone cannot be good enough reasons to call it quits!

it’s all about? Kiran is an expert of swing techniques and to

IMAGE 1 It is Ariya’s backswing weight shift and torso rotation, which are text-book perfect according to typical golf theories, which are her undoing. She shifts

considerable weight towards her trail side during the backswing (a rear view shows her left shoulder considerably to the right of her left ankle). At the same time, (seen from the same rear view) the many crinkles in her shirt indicate that she has literally twisted many individual vertebrae on top of the ones below.

IMAGE 2 & 3

These are two very difﬁcult movements to undo in perfect sequence durin because they both require perfect ‘timing’ to accomplish. However, timing

not only is the torso a big, heavy body part to move, but the brain does no resources for torso motion. Thus, the motor control system is only able to moves the entire trail side down-and-forward. In a lesser golfer this wou

the-top movement, but Ariya, with her great athleticism, is able to shallow bring it from an inside oath by using a large pelvis, and thus torso, rotatio too early, before adequate weight shift towards her left side has taken pla

impact), there could be a slice. If the pelvis rotation is too large and, as a that are coupled with the pelvis in their rotation open too much, it is difﬁc pull-hook (see down the line view at impact). And hence the dreaded two pros often have.

this she replied, “It is surely the most important thing for any

are not all lined up at impact, both rightward and leftward

golfer to get right. In tandem, of course, with an excellent

misses can occur. If, when seen from the rear, the torso

putting technique. And if one can make most fairways and

has a slight ‘hang-back’ (the lead shoulder, hip and knee

then most greens in regulation (given that pro golfers have to

are not directly on top of the lead ankle), a slice can result.

have some basic level of distance to have made it to the high-

Conversely, when they are not lined up when seen from

est level of competition), course management too loses some

down-the-line, and the trail shoulder is way in front of the

of its importance. Direction control, then, is the key to ever-

trail toe at impact (shoulder girdle protraction), a leftward

improving performance. Directional consistency, however,

miss can occur because of the inevitability of trail forearm

depends on where the torso is positioned at the top and how

rotation (supination).”

easily it can be brought into the perfect position to deliver the

Heck, if this sounds like technical gobble-de-gook, read it again because therein lies the secret of a good and

arms, and thus the club, to the ball from an inside path.”

consistent swing!

It’s fairly common knowledge and it is good that Kiran

OK Kiran, now that the basic mechanics and dynamics

has drawn attention to how a swing is ﬁnally delivered.

of a golf swing have been eloquently outlined, let’s get down

Kiran goes on to point out: “It is the torso – the largest, most cumbersome body part – that must be in ‘dynamic bal-

to the drill and see what is wrong with Ariya’s game and the

ance’ - with the shoulder and hip joints (as well as the head)

possible solutions to help her get it back on track. So, here’s the drill down:

lined up directly above the ankles and knees. If these joints

IMAGE 4 & 5

ng the downswing, g is not easy because t allocate adequate o use a strategy that ld become an overw her club shaft and on. If the rotation is ace (see rear view of result, the shoulders cult to hold off a pull/ -way miss that the

And it is the same right shoulder motion down-and-forward at impact that can ruin putting technique too. Ariya is obviously trying to keep her arms locked together in her putting stroke (she uses a coke-can-between-the-forearms drill). So, as nothing else can move, her trail shoulder is forced to move down and forward, which will always pull her putter shaft left of the target line. A lot of inconsistency accompanies the shoulder motion as any movement of the torso is a complex one and cannot repeat consistently. Hence putting stroke inconsistency. After a few such misses, and the

oppositely directed compensation golfers inevitably try to make, any golfer’s mind could be completely messed up! It may thus be said that Ariya is a truly talented golfer and needs some non-traditional yet scientiﬁc swing and putting technique change to blossom once again. Basically, Kiran is proposing that Ariya breaks away from the traditional and think out of the box. She needs to rely on scientiﬁc prudence to get rocking again. C’mon Ariya, you’re too young and too good to quit. Check out Kiran’s advice

and she is ready to help any time. We all want to see you back winning tournaments like only you know how to win!

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