Karrie Webb, an LPGA Legend (Ladies Professional Golf Association) and the first female golfer to earn more than 1 million dollars in a single season, could not been more charming as we spoke about what it takes not only to win, but to stay on top and compete with the best golfers in the world for almost 20 years. Her goal is to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“I still have that inner drive to achieve, my love and desire to play golf gets me through all the hard work. When growing up in the small town of Ayr, Queensland, with less than 8000 people, I began training with a family friend, Kelvin Haller, who became my first mentor and coach. It still makes me laugh. I used to tell people I wanted to be a professional golfer and they looked at me like I was a bit crazy.”
Career Start at Twelve
“When I was twelve, my parents took me to see golfing great Greg Norman, a fellow “Aussie” playing in a tournament. I truly fell in love with golf and even at my young age I had no doubt, I would do all that was needed to be the best I could.”
“Practicing golf can be a grind, a bore, I always had a big advantage over my competition because I am mentally tough, plenty of other golfers are better athletes then me, but few have my mindset of doing all it takes to be the best, I was given a gift, not only to play golf, but to be mentality strong. I still train 6-8 hours a day, if I did not love what I do, that could never happen.”
Youngest Member of the World Golf Hall Of Fame
Karrie Ann Webb holds the crown of Australia’s most successful female golfer, she has won 39 times on the LPGA tour, more the any other active player, became the youngest winner of the women’s British Open her rookie season at the age of 21, and the same year named European Rookie of the Year. Now a LPGA legend Karrie was the youngest member of the World Golf Hall Of Fame, has been named Rolex player of the year twice, in 1997 awarded best female golfer ESPY award, was the youngest winner of the LPGA career Grand Slam and Super Grand Slam winning every major championship in women’s golf over her career.
Karrie explains the “must-do” things for up and coming golfers and pressure situations:
“Like anything else to achieve success in golf, it should be treated as full time job.”
“You must love the game, the work is hard, if the love is not there then the work will not be there.”
“Believe in yourself and be honest with yourself, understand what your weakness is, don’t get too comfortable doing what you are good at. When you get to the range, work on your weakness first.”
“Don’t be afraid to fail, sometimes success is failure. You may have to deal with a loss, but that is better than regretting you did not get out there and try.”
Visualization, Relaxation and Trust
“I believe what holds people back, is the fear of failure, the fear letting people down. I also see that some people want the reward, but are not willing to put the work into it. I get disappointed when I see great talent that is not willing to go the extra mile, don’t make that mistake.”
“Golf is not a reaction sport so once you get your skill set down it comes down to a mental game, There is no doubt that golf is 90% mental 10% physical.”
“For me a pressure situation is comforting, I am in my comfort zone when all the hard work pays off.”
“My parents told me to put your head down and work your tail off.”
Lots of great advice from Karrie Webb – not only for golfers, but for any career or sport one works on. What about you? Can you relate to them?
Copyright 2015 Jerry Gladstone