Everyone Should Swing Like a Girl
By AJ Eathorne (Courtesy Inside Golf)
VERNON - To some the phrase “swing like a girl,” could seem derogatory. That’s not the way we see it at Predator Ridge. To us, Swing Like a Girl is about freedom and fun – to learn and play golf in a unique and compelling way.
Most of all, Swing Like a Girl has become the description for our instructional programs designed to involve more women in the game of golf.At Predator Ridge Resort, we’re very proud of the program. For those that don’t know about it, Swing Like a Girl is a series of five-hour clinics designed specifically for women of all skill levels, shapes and sizes.
We have hot pink carts to drive around the course as part of the camps that are filled with laughs and good times. There are also Swing and Spa Like a Girl camps that run over two days, and refresher clinics so that girls (or ladies or women, your choice) of all ages can come out and learn this great game of golf.
We are serious about helping females learn and enjoy this wonderful game. How did we come up with the name Swing Like a Girl? I always get a smile on my face as I get to explain it and share the fun. Our Director of Marketing, Ingrid Dilschneider, came up with the idea.
A lot of people say, “Yes, I swing like a girl and it’s not very good.” Well, I would like to challenge people and say, “Have you ever watched me hit the ball?,” or “How about those girls on the LPGA? Don’t you love their tempo and rhythm?”
I am pretty sure most people would like to hit it like those girls and get the same results. The average male golfer swing speed is very similar to that of the average professional female golfer’s swing speed.
It is easy to relate to and repeat the lady’s tempo and distances when you compare to the guys on the PGA TOUR. Sure we love to watch Tiger hit it long and Bubba bend it around the trees, but in reality we would all have a hard time repeating any of those shots.
I started playing golf when I was 13. Being an athletic kid, I liked to be aggressive and I liked to compete and win. I struggled at first to learn that golf wasn’t all about how far you hit it, but rather how many strokes it takes to get it in the hole.
I played against many boys in competition and once I figured out that even though they were bigger and hit it farther, my finesse and skill could win out over power. I began to really compete against everyone and win – even against the boys my age and older.
Perhaps it is a little forward or even ‘edgy’ to say but I’m proud to be a girl and wouldn’t want to change that. I love hitting it like a girl and I know a great many people are starting to understand that it is a good thing. So Swing Like a Girl – everyone should.
AJ Eathorne is a former LPGA player and professional caddie on both the LPGA and PGA Tours. AJ is Academy Manager at the Predator Ridge Academy. predatorridge.com