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Improve Your Golf Game With These 3 Lessons From Jeeno Thitikul
By Luke Olson, PGA
Published on
Jeeno Thitikul just continues to flourish in her young career on the LPGA Tour.
The 23-year-old closed with an 8-under 64 for a one shot victory at the Portland Classic on Sunday. It was her third win this season, matching Nelly Korda on the LPGA this season. Thitikul also won for the 10th time in her career, becoming the eighth player to have 10 or more wins before turning 24.
Here’s three takeaways from her strong performance at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Ore.
The 23-year-old closed with an 8-under 64 for a one shot victory at the Portland Classic on Sunday. It was her third win this season, matching Nelly Korda on the LPGA this season. Thitikul also won for the 10th time in her career, becoming the eighth player to have 10 or more wins before turning 24.
Here’s three takeaways from her strong performance at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Ore.
Control Your Wedges
Thitikul didn’t lead the field with 24 birdies by taking a conservative approach with a wedge in hand. Instead, she attacked the flagsticks all week to give her the most scoring opportunities.
Here’s a few tips on how to hit it close with your wedges.
Coaching Tips
Here’s a few tips on how to hit it close with your wedges.
Coaching Tips
- Don’t take a full swing with a wedge. Take more club like Thitkul, choke down and use a shorter motion to flight the ball down to control spin.
- Favor your weight on the lead side to ensure ball-first contact.
- Finish with an abbreviated follow through to help control trajectory.
Drill
Next time you are on the range, hit multiple wedges at different yardages without making a full swing. Thitikul almost always takes more club and uses a chipping motion on her wedge shots. This could be a great feel for you, too.
Next time you are on the range, hit multiple wedges at different yardages without making a full swing. Thitikul almost always takes more club and uses a chipping motion on her wedge shots. This could be a great feel for you, too.
Erase a Mistake Quickly
After an incredible run on the front nine Sunday, Thitikul made a regrettable bogey on No. 9. But it didn’t deter her mindset, as she went on to make a 25-foot eagle on No. 10 to quickly bounce back and — as she said — completely changed the energy into the final eight holes.
Here’s how you, too, can quickly erase a mistake.
Coaching Tips
Here’s how you, too, can quickly erase a mistake.
Coaching Tips
- Treat each hole as a new beginning.
- Stick to your pre-shot routine, regardless of the result from the previous hole.
- Accept the result, move on, and don’t let it deter your game plan the rest of the round.
Drill
During your next round, think of every tee shot as a new start. Once a hole is over, evaluate, then move on. Dwelling on mistakes rarely leads to better outcomes.
During your next round, think of every tee shot as a new start. Once a hole is over, evaluate, then move on. Dwelling on mistakes rarely leads to better outcomes.
Prioritize Hitting Fairways
While Thitikul’s been excellent all season with her approach play, the ability to do this often at the Portland Classic was set up from her accuracy off the tee.
She didn’t just use a driver, though. Thitikul wasn’t afraid to opt for a fairway wood or hybrid at the tree lined Columbia Edgewater. Thitikul did what the course demanded to set up successful approach play.
Here’s how to hit more fairways like the 10-time LPGA winner.
She didn’t just use a driver, though. Thitikul wasn’t afraid to opt for a fairway wood or hybrid at the tree lined Columbia Edgewater. Thitikul did what the course demanded to set up successful approach play.
Here’s how to hit more fairways like the 10-time LPGA winner.
Coaching Tips
- Find a club you are confident hitting off the tee to find the fairway. Pulling a driver isn’t always the choice.
- Layup to specific yardage to a club you trust for your approach.
- Whatever the club, commit to a smooth, full turn to erase any doubt.
Drill
During your next round, experiment with your fairway woods or hybrid off the tee instead of driver. Rather than choosing driver on a par-5 or shorter par-4, hit a club you are comfortable with to find the short grass. You’d be surprised how much your score improves.
