Balance and Tempo

So many people are after that “perfect swing”. Right up the swing plane, dropping into the slot with perfect timing and rotation. These swings look great, but there are so many swings beside this one that work. Lots of swing coaches have different philosophies, and if you are a beginner, focusing on too many things at once can do more harm than good.

When put under pressure, the mind will revert back to whatever is natural. All of these swing thoughts like “Keep the right elbow in” or “Feel the right hand turn over” or even “Don’t flip it inside” will not hold up under tournament pressure. You’ll end up hitting a less than satisfactory shot, and try to compensate for it later.

The best thing you can do during a tournament is:

Focus on your breathing, balance and tempo. These are all easy, natural things that your mind can focus on, instead of complicated and precise swing movements. You will be less stressed about executing a perfect swing, and will produce a better shot because of it.

We are human, and there is no way we can recreate the same perfect swing the exact same way every time. It helps if your swing is consistent, but you never have a perfectly flat lie or a perfectly straight hole. What is important is focusing on what you know how to do, and being confident in it.

If you focus on these 3 major thoughts instead of finding your perfect swing, you will be happier throughout your round, and will execute better shots.

December 19, 2018 0

The Biggest Things I’ve Learned Being a College Athlete

Being a college athlete is hard. Weights and conditioning at 6 in the morning followed by a full day of classes, then 3 hours of practice, coming home and scarfing down dinner, then rushing to mandatory team study hall, to finally stay up late and finish my remaining homework, pass out and then do it all again tomorrow. The weekends feel like even more of a blessing than usual. There have been many times where I have envied my roommates who sit on the couch and have enough free time to watch TV. But when season ends and I suddenly have all this free time, I realize how much I love being busy and how much I love what so many athletes call “the grind”.

College athletics have taught me so much, and it is a rewarding experience that only some people get to enjoy. Here are some little bits of wisdom that I have gotten from being a student athlete:

Time management is essential. The amount of friends that I have that do not play a sport, but still do not have enough time to hang out on weekends or go out to dinner during the week is INSANE. Being an athlete forces you to learn to manage your time and get all of your stuff done efficiently.
Going the extra mile does pay off. Staying the extra 15-30 minutes after practice, or doing an extra round of putting drills after the tournament started to show and reflect in my scores. Even if you no one knows that you stayed later and put in extra work, you know it and it honestly does improve your confidence and skill set.
A good attitude goes a long way. No one likes a complainer. Everyone notices a smile and a good attitude no matter what. It’s like your coach telling you that you’re running sprints for conditioning, or when your boss tells you that you need to stay an hour later after work. Complaining won’t change anything, but a good leader will recognize a good attitude and reward you for it later.
You’re held accountable by EVERYONE. Whether it’s on the course or on the weekends, student athletes are held to a certain standard. Someone is always watching whether you know it or not, and this is true in the real world as well, not just in college. People will know if you are a person of integrity, or just put on a fake smile when you know someone is watching.
How you treat people speaks volumes about you. People are appalled when I give them a hand written thank you note. It is a simple gesture that has since been forgotten with the amount of simple “thank you” texts that are sent. Writing a thank you note will leave a lasting impression on the person you give it to. Being grateful, showing appreciation daily and letting people know they are valued is never time wasted.

December 10, 2018 0

Brittany O’Bryant: Golf Expert

Brittany O’Bryant is one of two seniors on the Chico State Women’s golf team, and she has been tearing up the course her entire Wildcat career. She has led her team in scoring average the last two years, and plans to go out with a bang for her final season in the spring. O’Bryant has been playing golf for 18 years, which is apparent in her golf game. With 3 top 20 finishes already this fall season, Brittany is nothing short of a golf expert.

The interview she gave me was packed with information with what she has learned over her college golf career, and some wisdom for other student athletes.

“I have loved golf ever since I started playing when I was 3,” O’Bryant explains. “I wanted to get a golf scholarship so I could continue my education and take my game to the next level.” She went on to say that her favorite part about college golf was her teammates, and that they were some of the best friends she will ever have. “We’re like a big family, a Wildcat family. They’ll always have my back,” she said smiling. She reminisced on the many places she got to travel to for golf tournaments, her favorite being the Sand Hollow Resort in Hurricane, Utah.

When asked what the biggest thing she has learned from college athletics she proudly said “I learned how to be more confident in myself, and that really started to show in my game. The more confident I was, the better I played. Now I know that can apply to life too.”

Her biggest tip for the mental side of things was: “You have 5 seconds to be mad after shot. After that, you need to let it go, then think about what you can improve for the next shot.”

Brittany’s love for her school and the game of golf shows through in everything she does, and she says she is so excited to have this last semester be her best yet. To read some articles about the Chico State Wildcats and Brittany’s tournament results, click here.

December 7, 2018 0

Which Golf Ball Works Best for YOU?

Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist… there are so many brands of golf balls! And then even inside those brands, there are super small differences in compression and forgiveness. What the heck is the difference between a Callaway SuperSoft and Callaway ChromeSoft anyway? With so much information, it’s hard to know where to soft. Hopefully the following tips help you find the perfect golf ball for your game!

If you’re a beginner, chances are when you step onto the course your first couple of times, you’re going to be losing quite a few golf balls. Until you start to break 90, stick with golf balls that won’t break the bank. TopFlite, Srixon and Noodles are some smaller brands that tend to have better deals.
If you’re not a beginner and you’re serious about your game, go ahead and invest in some nicer golf balls. My favorite are the Callaway ChromeSofts and TaylorMade TP5s. It’s worth it!
Now here’s the big question: Should you get a hard ball or a softer ball? Firmer golf balls will get more compression off of the club face for you with high swing speeds. These will go a little farther and have a little less forgiveness. Softer golf balls will not have much compression, but will be more forgiving and may have a better feel around the green. If you do not have a crazy high swing speed, forget the compression factor and pick the ball that performs well around the green. The ball that stops quickest for you on the green should be the winner.
Once your golf balls start to get scuffs from hitting trees or cart paths, switch it out for a new one. This doesn’t mean throw it away, it can still be used for chipping practice! Having tears or scuffs in the outer coating of the golf ball and hurt your distance off the tee.

At the end of the day, golf ball preference is all up to you. These are just some subtle differences that I hope will improve your feel with a little extra distance off the tee. But hey, no matter what ball you play, they all roll into the cup just the same.

December 3, 2018 0

Becoming a College Golfer: Do’s and Don’ts

So you want to become a college golfer. Congratulations on pursuing your dream and taking your game to the next level. But how do you get there and how do you find the perfect college for you? Well you’ve come to the right place. I’ve compiled a list of do’s and don’ts for your college recruitment process!

DO: Create a recruiting profile. I chose an NCSA profile, but you can really choose any legitimate recruiting site that you want. An NCSA profile is the best because they are fact checked and verify that your handicap and tournament scores are real, and they have helpful demographics about the schools you’re looking at on their site. This profile comes with swing videos and direct communication with college coaches. These can be a little pricey, but think of it as an investment towards your dream of playing at the next level.

DON’T: Send letters. I sent about 10 letters to different college coaches and I didn’t get a single response. Why? They didn’t know who I was! NCSA and other recruiting profiles are verified, so college coaches know that who they are talking to is a legitimate player who hasn’t made up crazy low golf scores.

DO: Email as many coaches as possible, and keep your options open. Don’t stop emailing that coach from a small Minnesota school because you don’t want to go there. At the very least, it is good practice emailing back and forth for when you do get an email from the coach at your dream school. As it get closer to committing, narrow your options down to about 5 schools. But when you start, email as many as you want!

DON’T: Post videos of alcohol, drugs, or excessive partying on social media. And watch your language on Twitter and Facebook! This can be the deciding factor if a coach needs to pick between two players. A coach will not pick the player that has beer and cuss words all over their social media profiles. This does not mean social media all bad though. Show off your skills on Facebook and follow your dream schools on Instagram! You can read more about proper social media use if you click on this link.

DO: Research the school BEFORE you have a phone call with the coach. This is just like a job interview. You wouldn’t go into a job interview knowing nothing about the job you’re applying for! Be engaging, congratulate them on their latest tournament finish. Ask about their performance at the conference finals in the previous year. Brush up on your interview skills and wow them! Like I said before, it is always a good idea to call coaches of schools you are a little less interested in, before you set up that phone interview with your dream school.

Deep breath, you’ve got this! The recruiting process may seem overwhelming, but college golf is going to be one of the most amazing experiences of your life. Go get ’em!

November 7, 2018 0

Great Reads for You and Your Golf Game

So you have it all. The equipment, the outfit, and a pretty good golf swing. So why can’t you take your great range sessions to the course? And why can’t you recover after a bad hole?

It all has to do with that space between your ears.

These books are interesting, helpful, and will dust the cobwebs off your cranium if you haven’t picked up a book in a while. So set down those clubs for a second and take a gander at these great golf reads!

1. Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game by Doctor Joseph Parent

Dr. Joseph Parent is a well known and highly knowledgable PGA coach, as well as a Buddhism instructor. In this book he gives great anecdotes and techniques that guide golfers to mastering their own minds. He focuses on strategies from Zen teachings and tradition that have been shown to improve the mental games of amateurs and professionals.

2. Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book

Harvey Penick definitely knows what he’s talking about. He has over 60 years of experience coaching amateur players, proudly showing off that he was a golf coach at the University of Texas. He truly does have a lifetime’s worth of golf advice, and a lot of it is definitely worth reading.

3. Be a Player and Every Shot Must Have a Purpose by Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilson

Out of all the golf books I have read, these two are definitely my favorites. (Be a Player is my #1, but both are must reads). My golf game really changed after I read these two books. Both are written by the same company who embraces the motto of VISION54, which is a game changing philosophy when it comes to golf and life. Both books address the approach to your golf game, tips to execute your shot better and more consistently, and how to store the good shots safely in your memory while learning from the not so good ones. Even if you do not read another book for the rest of your life, you have to read these two! These books completely changed my approach to golf and to life for the better.

When my coach told me to read these books, I put it off as long as possible. I mean, who reads in their free time when instead I can be on the range firing through a bucket of golf balls? (These books will help change your practice habits too!) Once I started these, I couldn’t put any of them down. Do you, and your golf game, a favor, and dedicate a little time out of each day to read and do these exercises.

Progress is not linear, but any way to move forward is a plus. These books are just one step closer to success!

October 12, 2018 0

Clothing Review: Lululemon Athletica

Who doesn’t love Lululemon Athletica clothing?!

This brand is super cute, long lasting, (a little pricey but worth every penny), and a great investment whether you’re rolling out the yoga mat or teeing it up on the course.

Through high school I started to notice more and more girls wearing Lululemon skirts and shirts rather than the traditional brand golf skirts. I do love Lululemon skirts and shirts, and their leggings are no doubt some of the best there is out there. They have all kinds of fun prints and styles, especially if you love ruffles! They provide good compression and stretch when you need it, and overall are a great golf skirt, even if it may say its a tennis or running skirt.

One thing to watch for is the length of Lululemon and Athletica skirts. I tend to notice that if I get my true size it may fit well, but the length is a little short and may not fit the dress code for some golf courses and country clubs. But on the flip side, getting a size larger doesn’t always fit and look how you want it to! I normally get my true size, but then get the “tall” version of it (like a 4 tall). The tall aspect of it provides a couple more inches of length that make it more golf course appropriate.

Some of my favorite skirts for golf are the Pace Rival Skirt and and Pace Rival II Skirt. Some good golfing tops are the Swiftly Tech Short Sleeve and the Another Mile Short Sleeve.

Pair these with a hat and running shoes and you’ll look stylish both on and off the course!

These brands can be pricey but I suggest going to an outlet where they have amazing markdowns, or looking for online sales! Websites like Poshmark may also have used items, just be careful to make sure it is a legitimate seller before making any purchases.

Enjoy and happy shopping! Don’t forget, when you feel and look good, you play good too!

October 3, 2018 0

How to Have the Best Golf Etiquette

Golf manners and etiquette are some of the most important skills a golfer can have. Plenty of business deals have been conducted on the golf course, and of course you don’t want to make an obvious etiquette mistake in a high-stakes golf tournament. Many beginners are intimidated by this thought of trying to go play golf without really having their golf etiquette mastered. It can be stressful going to golf with more experienced players and worried about doing something wrong. But don’t worry, it is not that hard! By the end of this post, you will know the fastest and easiest tips to getting your golf course manners headed in the right direction.

TIP #1: Introductions! If you don’t know who you’re playing with, introduce yourself on the first tee! Be friendly and be the first to introduce yourself to your playing partners. Eye contact, a firm handshake and a smile can be some simple steps to start the round off on the right track. You would think that this is obvious, but some people do not know how to properly introduce themselves. You’re going to be with these people for 18 holes, you might as well get to know them!

TIP #2: Keep up with pace of play! Pace of play for 18 holes is generally about 4 1/2 hours. If you’re a beginner, don’t worry about hitting more shots and being slower. Most of the time, slow play is caused by a slow pre-shot routine, not by the amount of shots hit on the hole. Visualize your shot, take 1-2 practice swings, step up and hit it! This should take at most 30-45 seconds. If you do this and keep a good pace walking to your ball, you should have no problem finishing your round in those 4 1/l2 hours. Remember, while we’re still young!

TIP #3: Be conscious of other players! Talking loudly or rummaging through your golf bag while someone is swinging probably is not the best idea. Be courteous as you would like others to be courteous to you.

TIP #4: Fix ball marks and divots. Carrying a bottle sand with you or having one in your cart is always a good habit to have. Filling your divot in the fairway will help the grass grow back faster and will ensure no one else’s ball will roll into it. Also, fixing ball marks on the green is super important! It takes 5 seconds to fix a ball mark, and it already starts to heal. But, once it is left unfixed, it takes 2 weeks for the scar to heal. A general rule of thumb is to left the golf course in better condition than you found it, so fix a few more of each if you happen to find them.

TIP #5: Get the flag when you finish first! If you sink that birdie putt or are the first to tap in, don’t forget the flag. It is good manners for whoever finishes out the hole first to put the flag back in when the hole is finished.

Shannon Milliken (my teammate) posing after tending the flag with her group!

September 29, 2018 0

Lady Wildcats Bring the Heat in Arizona

My team and I traveled to Goodyear, Arizona this past weekend to compete in the Western New Mexico Invitational at the Golf Club of Estrella.

In the opening round we carded a 309 to get us tied for 11th in the field of 13 teams. This 309 was a season best for us, so we were pretty excited going into the final round. Senior Brittany O’Bryant shot a 72 the first day, going into the final round tied for 5th place.

The second round proved to be a challenge, with the 102 degree heat beating down on us all day. We finished the second round with a collective score of 305, our lowest round ever since 2016! This was a huge victory for us; we had all been working super hard and now it was finally starting to pay off. We ended up shooting low enough to solo 11th place in the tournament.

Our next tournament is at the end of October at Sonoma State’s Invitational, and after that we will cap our season off at San Marcos’s invitational Halloween weekend.

CSU San Marcos won the tournament with an impressive score of one under par.

If you are ever traveling to Arizona, I would highly recommend this course. The sunrises and sunsets are absolutely spectacular, and the layout of the course is very different from the traditional California courses my team and I usually play. Click this link to see more pictures and learn more about Golf Club of Estrella!

To all you aspiring college golfers out there: Go Big!! Traveling on a college team is so fun and such a rewarding experience. I have traveled to so many places and met so many people that I would have not met if I had not been on the Chico State Team. My teammates are my family and I know they will be my lifelong friends. Work hard and your time and dedication will pay off in ways you would never expect (sometimes in the form of free pretzels and peanuts on airplane rides).

September 28, 2018 0

A Little About This Blog…

Welcome to my blog, Golf Like a Girl!

My name is Natalie and I am a sophomore at Chico State University, and this is my second year playing on the women’s golf team. The game of golf is something I have been passionate about for a while, and I think it should be grown and shared as much as possible. The name of this blog was inspired from my mom, who would always hashtag her Instagram posts of me golfing with “#golflikeagirlandkeepup”. I love this hashtag and think more girls should adopt this kind of thinking. My fondest memories of golf are going to the driving range with my dad, and high-fiving him after tournaments. My mom didn’t know that much about golf at first, but even if I shot 75 or 100, both she and my dad were always proud of me. I want everyone to have amazing memories like this.

I got my first set of clubs when I was 3, and I have been crazy about the game of golf ever since. I really started to get serious about it my freshman year of high school, and that is when I knew I wanted to play collegiate golf. This sport has opened so many doors for me. I have made countless lifelong friends, grown as a person, and have made many more connections in the work world.

Golf has been a male dominated sport for a while, but slowly more and more female golfers have started to become bigger fans of the game. I think golf should be easy to get into and shouldn’t be intimidating for beginners, and I think it should be enjoyable no matter what your skill level is.

In this blog I intend to cover my experiences as a college golfer, and hopefully I will inspire other girls to play college golf as well. I will also post tricks for beginners to make starting off a little easier (golf is hard!!) and tips on etiquette. Also, you can learn a lot from the pros, so I also want to cover tournament results and any news about anyone on the pro tour. Recommendations about clothing and shoes may be thrown in as well, because of course when you look good, you play good!

Golf is no doubt one of the toughest sports there is, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it. It is a game that is deceptively simple yet endlessly complicated, but oh so addicting.

I hope you enjoy this blog! Until my next post, I wish you all straight drives and one putts.

September 9, 2018 0

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