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Real test is on the course
Posted: Tuesday July 11, 2000 12:07 PM
Leta Lindley, 28, is in her sixth season on the LPGA Tour. She had her best year in 1999 with a tie for second, as well as four other top 10 finishes. In 1997, she finished second at the LPGA Championship, losing to Chris Johnson on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff. She was a four-time All-America at the University of Arizona and set an NCAA record for lowest 54-hole score (nine under par). Check out Lindley's diary each Wednesday on CNNSI.com.
July 11, 2000 I had a pretty good week last week at the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic. I played really well on Thursday, even though we played in the rain for 18 holes. I finished the day at minus three, just one stroke off the lead, my best opening round in -- gosh, I don't remember when -- a long time. I hit so many good shots. I was really excited. I hit some squirrelly ones, but I chipped and putted well so I could recover. I had been really frustrated after leaving Lud in San Diego. I wasn't sure I was going to retain what he and I had worked on. I was doing it at the driving range, but the real test is doing it on the course, during a tournament and I did. I was pleasantly surprised.
I played well on Friday and Saturday, shooting an even 71 both days, but I couldn't get the putts to fall. I was carrying the ball five yards further than I had been, which made for an interesting round on Sunday when the greens firmed up. I'd pick my club and hit it and it would bounce over the green to where it shouldn't be. It took a while to trust my new-found length. I actually tried to factor it in, but there were enough times that I didn't, so I ended up in trouble spots. I made just one birdie and four bogeys on Sunday. I finished the tournament tied for 28th. I was really disappointed because I was in a good position coming in and I felt as if I let an opportunity slip through my hands. Matt tried to make me feel better, reminding me just how down I had been after leaving Lud. He pointed out that I made the cut, had a great first round and had the opportunity for a really good finish. I guess it's still tough when you blow those opportunities, but he's right, there was a lot to be happy about. I'm really excited about what I'm working on. I haven't perfected the move, but I'm seeing results, primarily in that the ball is traveling farther. I'm never going to complain about five yards. Lud said I would hit it farther, but I didn't expect it so soon. I feel like it's only going to get better. It's funny talking about "the move." I make it sound like it's this big thing, but in fact, as I said last week, it's so small. I think you get to a certain level in golf and the changes become so small, it's all about fine tuning. Basically, the move Lud and I worked on changes how the swing feels. I'm looking forward to this week's tournament. I love this course at the Wykagyl Country Club. To play this course well, your game really has to be all there, which is what I want to do. I need to readjust mentally in terms of how far I hit each club and trust it. On Monday I worked at the range the way I would with Lud. I was trying to make the move more automatic. I'm also thinking ahead. I'm working for this week, but also for next week for the Open. This is really a great course to work on the Open, with almost Open-like conditions here. But, first things first. -- Leta
You mentioned ball flight. What are the most common factors in your swing affecting your ball flight? I would guess plane and how steep you come into the golf ball. Sometimes the steeper you come into the ball, the higher you're going to hit it. Then the opposite is also true -- the flatter you come in, the lower you're going to hit it.
In a four-day tournament I realize that tee times are determined by score. But what about the first two days? Many have completed the round by the time TV coverage comes on and it seems that many of the same people have later tee times that give them more coverage. Is there some kind of seniority involved? We have A tee times and B tee times, which are determined by the money list. The A list consists of the "better" players, at least the ones who have been playing well of late. Those tee times will fall in the more desired times, usually about 9 a.m. until noon. That's why you're going to see the Karrie Webbs and the Meg Mallons the first few days. The pairings (As with As, Bs with Bs) are supposed to be random. And like you said, Saturday and Sunday you'll see whoever is at the top of the leader board.
What specifically do you do to prepare to play the morning of a tournament? I have a pretty lengthy warmup routine. Most girls' routines usually last less than an hour. My golf warmup time is an hour and a half. I always warm up the same way. I start with my putting then move on to chipping and bunker shots. Then when I'm done with my short game, I hit balls at the range, starting with my wedge and moving up to my driver. Then, when there's about 20 minutes left before teeing off, I go back to the putting green and hit more putts. Then I head to the tee. In terms of food, I usually like to have protein in the morning. I find that it stays with me longer than carbohydrates do, for example. I used to have a bowl of cereal and I'd be starving a couple hours later. Now I may have scrambled eggs. I also try to avoid too much sugar, too, because I think it brings you up and down. I also bring a banana to eat on the golf course.
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