Tuesday, March 18, 2014

LPGA Champion Talks About Growing Up Golfing

LPGA golfer Amy Alcott (Lifescript photo)

With 33 LPGA tournament victories and 5 major championships to her name, Amy Alcott is one of the golfing greats participating in this week's annual Toshiba Classic golf tournament at the Newport Beach (Calif.) Country Club.

It wasn't easy for Alcott to break into the sport, given the barriers in golf and that she didn't have too many women role models during the 1960s and '70s, she told a group during the event's Women's Business Day.

But she's grateful that her father entered her in all-male golf tournaments when she was younger. She'd score an 86, better than most of the boys. "It really helped me in life to interact and not be afraid," she says.

A crowd gathers Thursday afternoon during Women's Business Day at the Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach, Calif. (Lifescript photo)

As a trailblazer on the course, she felt a certain amount of expectations – from herself and others – which took the joy out of the sport. "So I had to take out the expectations to have the joy," Alcott says.

Golf is like a door opening and closing, she offers. It requires good rhythm but women have trouble getting the lower body strength to achieve that, she says.

"What would make golf less hard?" someone asked her.

Her response: "A few more cocktails on the course would be helpful."

In case no one can remember any of her golfing tips, Alcott suggests: "The brain loves familiarity. Just tell yourself that you'll finish high. You'll get the max out of your swing. Be ready for your close-up!"

For more of our exclusive interview with Alcott, click here ^[1].