Gabby Herzig ’21
Take it from Gabby Herzig ’21, a former Sagehens golfer whose career orbits the best in the sport: a round of golf can be enjoyed without shooting a low score.
“As a competitive golfer, I’m always trying to play the best I can—it’s ingrained in me,” says Herzig, now a golf reporter for The Athletic, a sports website and now the sports department of The New York Times. “But ever since I graduated, I’ve been able to find more joy in playing recreationally with friends, co-workers and colleagues from the golf industry. I find I’m always happier and more present during the rounds when I’m not focusing on my score.”
Alternatively, for those on the course hunting birdies and low numbers, Herzig offers some advice to shave a few strokes off the scorecard.
1. Don’t overthink things
“Golf is such a mental game, but I feel some of the best rounds I’ve played came when my mind was really clear. You always hear the best professional golfers talk about their mentality: see ball, hit ball. Keep it as simple as that rather than trying to direct your body in the middle of your swing to do who knows what. You’re crowding your thoughts and distracting yourself from being an athlete and reacting to the target in front of you.”
2. Short game, short game, short game
“Emphasize your chipping and putting. Those are your scoring clubs so spend more time practicing around the greens than you do at the driving range. You’ll think back to some of the best full-swing shots you’ve hit—amazing drives, perfectly online approach shots—and remember you three-putted and bogeyed the hole. Amazing holes materialize if you’re sharp around the green. You don’t want to waste your great full shots on poor chipping and putting.”
3. Commit to your shot
“If there’s one thing you can do to increase your chances of success before hitting a shot, it’s to commit to a plan. Whether you’re deciding on the severity of a breaking putt or you’re in between clubs on a par-3, choose your path and then stick to it. Feeling committed over the ball will instantly make you more confident and comfortable, and therefore, more likely to make the swing you wanted to.”
