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Kim made history at Roland‑Garros on Sunday, becoming the first American in 53 years to win the French Open, defeating her opponent in the final to end a half‑century drought for U.S. champions on Paris clay.
Kim becomes first American in more than five decades to win the French Open
Her landmark victory – the first American at the French Open in 53 years – underscores how elite scoring begins with repeatable setup and swing fundamentals. Start with a neutral grip,hands rotated slightly to the right for a right‑handed player (about 30-40 degrees of forearm rotation) and a spine tilt of 3-6 degrees away from the target at address to encourage a shallow takeaway. Ball position should be one ball forward of center for mid-irons, and two balls forward for driver; shorter clubs move progressively back toward center. To build these basics, practice with the following checkpoints on the range:
- alignment rods: rail feet, hips and shoulders parallel to the target line.
- Mirror or video: confirm a one-piece takeaway to hip height before wrist hinge.
- Tempo target: use a metronome at 60-70 bpm to encourage a 3:1 backswing-to-downswing rhythm.
These measurable setup cues reduce compensations under pressure and translate instantly to more consistent ball striking and lower scores.
Short game and putting decided many of the birdies that clinched the title, so allocate practice to strokes inside 100 yards with specific, progressive goals. For wedges,work to a consistent impact loft by ensuring a slight forward shaft lean at impact (3-5 degrees) and strike the ball first on tight lies to control spin. For putting, focus on a square face at impact and a pendulum stroke where shoulders control motion; measure advancement with goals such as eight of ten 3‑footers made and 60% of 30-40 foot lag putts left within 6 feet. practice drills include:
- Gate drill with tees for consistent low point on chips and pitches.
- Ladder putting from 3, 6, 9, 12 feet to train pace control and face aim.
- Clock drill around the hole to simulate pressure and reading breaks.
These exercises suit beginners (focus on contact and distance) and low handicappers (refine spin and face loft),and are directly applicable to tournament conditions where one‑putts and short lag saves matter most.
Driving and long‑game strategy combine technique and tactical decision‑making on courses that often feature firm fairways and wind - common at major continental venues. Aim for a launch angle of 10-14 degrees with a spin rate of 2000-3000 rpm for optimal roll‑out off the tee; achieve this by increasing clubhead speed while maintaining a neutral to slightly upward attack angle with driver (about +1 to +3 degrees). Work these specific drills:
- Weighted club swings to train sequencing and increase rotational power.
- Alignment‑rod target practice to shape intentional fades or draws.
- Fairway hitter sessions where you hit 15 driver alternatives to prioritize accuracy over distance.
In tournament play, select the club that gives the best scoring chance: if crosswinds or narrow landing areas threaten, choose a three‑wood or hybrid to avoid penalty areas and preserve birdie opportunities. Remember the rule basics: a ball that comes to rest in a penalty area might potentially be played as it lies or taken back with a stroke penalty under the relief options in the Rules of Golf.
convert technical work into scoring improvement with disciplined practice plans and situational play. Track measurable statistics – driving accuracy, average carry, GIR (greens in regulation), and putts per round – and set incremental goals (for example, reduce three‑putts by 50% over eight weeks).Incorporate mental routines that mirror tournament pressure: before each shot establish a 6-8 second pre‑shot routine, use breathing exercises to lower arousal, and visualize prosperous trajectories.Troubleshooting common faults and corrections:
- Slice: check grip pressure and clubface rotation; strengthen left wrist at impact and shallow the swing plane.
- Fat wedges: shorten backswing, sharpen eye contact on the target, and practice low‑point drills with a towel behind the ball.
- Putting yips: switch to a longer putter or use anchored body pendulum technique drills to stabilize the stroke.
By combining these technical, tactical, and mental approaches – drawn from the patterns that produced a historic major victory – golfers of all levels can set realistic, measurable practice routines and see tangible improvement in consistency and scoring.
Match turning points and tactical lessons that decided the championship and what competitors should adopt
In the closing stretches of the championship the match turned on a handful of strategic decisions – aggressive lines, conservative escapes, and one short-game recovery that shifted momentum. Observers noted that Kim’s choice to attack a narrow carry over water into a downwind par‑5, rather than lay up, produced a birdie prospect while her opponent played safe; that single swing exemplifies the modern balance between risk and reward.For competitors, the tactical lesson is clear: combine accurate yardage management with a probability-driven choice set (expected value of each option), using reliable distance gaps and wind adjustments before committing. Practically, adopt a pre-shot routine that includes:
- Confirming exact yardage with GPS or rangefinder to the front, middle and back of the green (e.g.,150/160/170 yd),
- Assessing wind in 1-3 mph increments (add or subtract 1 club per 3-5 mph cross/headwind),
- Establishing a target corridor rather than a single flag when green size or pin position penalizes misses.
These steps reproduce the situational awareness that decided the title and translate to quantifiable course‑management gains for players of every level.
Technically, the championship’s decisive swings were rooted in repeatable setup and impact fundamentals that held up under pressure. Kim’s swing showed a consistent shoulder turn of ~80-90° with a hip turn of ~40-45° on full shots and a controlled forward shaft lean at impact for crisp contact. To emulate this, begin with setup checkpoints: ball position by club (driver: ball opposite left heel; 7‑iron: center), stance width (shoulder width for irons, wider for long clubs), and spine tilt of ~5° away from the target for driver. Drill progressions:
- Slow‑motion shoulder turn drill - 10 reps holding 3‑second backswing, pause at top, feel coil, than accelerate through impact to groove timing;
- Impact bag or towel drill – train forward shaft lean and compress the bag for 20 reps, focusing on low‑to‑high energy transfer;
- Gate drill for path and face control – place tees to promote an inside‑out path for a controlled draw or neutral impact for a straight ball.
These drills provide measurable targets - such as, aim to decrease 7‑iron dispersion to ±10 yards during practice blocks of 30 shots before testing on course under pressure.
Short game was the othre decisive domain: a single scrambling par under pressure can swing a match. Kim’s ability to vary trajectory and landing spot – from low bump‑and‑runs to high flop shots - turned difficult lies into makeable putts. Coaches should emphasize contact point and loft manipulation: for chips use a slightly open stance with weight forward and a loft‑preserving stroke; for flop shots open the face by 2-4° and hinge more at the wrists to create loft. Practice routines to build these skills include:
- Landing‑spot ladder - pick 3 targets at 5, 10 and 20 yards from the green and perform 10 shots to each, tracking proximity to the spot;
- 30‑minute clock drill for putting speed control – putt to the hole from 3, 6 and 9 feet in a circular pattern to improve pace and reading breaks;
- pressure up‑and‑down sets – play 10 short game holes where two‑putt is a fail, forcing decision‑making under simulated match stress.
Beginners should start with basic pitch‑and‑run contact (ball back in stance, two‑thirds swing length), while low handicappers refine spin control and landing angle to improve proximity percentage and increase up‑and‑down conversion rates.
equipment choices, whether and psychological management combined with tactical nous to decide the championship, and these are areas every competitor can adopt. Use loft‑matching and gap‑testing to ensure consistent yardage intervals (e.g., 8-12 yard gaps between mid‑irons, 10-15 yards with wedges), and select shafts that stabilize dispersion in wind (stiffer or lower‑kick point for stronger conditions). On course, adopt a conservative aggressive policy: when the hole position is tucked, play to the safe portion of the green and rely on short‑game skill; when the pin is accessible, take the smarter aggressive line only if your proximity percent justifies the risk. Weekly practice plans should include measurable elements:
- Three 30‑minute focused sessions (full swing, short game, putting) with specific targets (e.g., GIR >65%, putts per round <1.9),
- One on‑course decision session where every tee shot includes a pre‑shot risk assessment and documented outcome,
- Mental rehearsal - 5‑minute visualization before each round to rehearse clutch situations and breathing to control arousal.
By integrating these mechanical, tactical and equipment principles – the same elements highlighted in Kim’s tournament run as the decisive advantages - players of all levels can create a repeatable framework for turning key moments into scoring opportunities.
Course conditions and shot selection breakdown with coach recommended adjustments for links style play
Links courses demand a different lens: firm fairways, deep pot bunkers, brisk crosswinds and greens that reward low-spin approaches. coaches advise assessing surface speed with a Stimp metre baseline – links surfaces commonly register 11-13 – and then planning landing angles to generate run. Such as, when the wind is steady at 15 knots or more, consider lowering trajectory by using one less loft than normal and aiming for a 30-40 yard run-up to the green rather than a soft carry; that simple carry-to-run calculation turns a 150-yard approach into a strategic 120-yard flight with 30 yards of rollout. Drawing on insights from Kim’s French Open performance, reported as the first American in 53 years to win that title, coaches highlighted how deliberate club choice and an emphasis on controlled trajectories converted severe wind into an advantage rather than a liability – a lesson players at every level can apply when wind, firm turf and runouts dominate the shot-selection conversation.
Mechanics must match the conditions: play the swing that keeps speed under control and spin low. Start with setup fundamentals – ball position slightly back of normal for low runners, weight 60-70% on the led foot, and shaft lean of about 10-15° at impact to compress the ball and reduce launch. Then refine the motion: shorten the backswing to 3/4,maintain a smooth tempo,and shallow the angle of attack to between -3° and -1° for bump-and-run shots or controlled midfield approaches. Practice checkpoints and quick drills include:
- Setup checkpoints: feet shoulder-width, ball 1-2 fingers back of center, hands ahead of the ball.
- Swing drills: 50 reps of 3/4 swings with a metronome at 65-70% speed to ingrain tempo.
- Trajectory control: hit 10 shots using one less loft and record average distance; goal is ±7 yards dispersion at 150 yards.
These steps reduce excessive spin and improve accuracy in links conditions for both beginner and advanced players.
Short game strategy on fast, undulating greens mixes conservative distance control with aggressive creativity around the hole. When turf is firm, favor the bump-and-run with lower-lofted clubs (7-PW) and wedges with bounce angles in the 8-12° range for turf interaction, while saving high-lofted, open-face shots for greenside fluff only when you have soft turf. Coaches recommend putting practice that mirrors course speed and slope: spend sessions lags of 20-60 feet targeting a two-putt percentage, then switch to 10-20 foot lag-to-inside-6-feet drills to tune pace. Practical drills:
- 50 bump-and-run repetitions from 30 yards, landing zone marked at 10 yards from the green edge.
- Putting routine: 15 lag putts from 40 ft with goal of leaving 80% inside a 6-foot circle.
- Wedge control: clock-face drill from 30, 40 and 50 yards to train carry vs. roll ratios.
In tournament scenarios like Kim’s,the deciding putts were frequently enough the result of conservative green approaches and surgical putting decisions – choose the two-putt when wind or green speed makes the aggressive line riskier.
course management and mental approach convert technique into lower scores. Start each hole with a clear plan: pick three target zones (tee, layup, green) and a primary risk threshold (e.g., never go for the green if it requires carrying more than 75% of your comfortable driver distance into a crosswind). For beginners, the coach-recommended adjustment is the three-club rule – carry to the safe area using a club you can hit consistently under pressure; for low-handicappers, the focus is shot-shaping practice (fade, draw, and flighting the ball). Implement situational drills to simulate links stress:
- 20-shot wind session (10 into, 10 downwind) varying club selection and recording outcomes.
- Pressure putting: 5 consecutive makes from 10 feet to build clutch routines.
- Scenario rounds: play 9 holes choosing only conservative targets to measure penalty-stroke reduction by at least 1 stroke per round.
Transition cues from coaches – breathe, commit, and pick a bail-out target – help replicate the calm decision-making displayed in high-pressure wins like Kim’s, turning technical refinements into measurable scoring improvement on true links courses.
Inside Kim’s preparation: training, nutrition and mental routines that drove the breakthrough
Coaches and trainers observing Kim’s preparation noted a rigorous focus on swing fundamentals that translated directly to repeatable performance under pressure.Beginning with setup, stance width is adjusted by club type-driver: shoulder width + 1-2 in., mid-iron: shoulder width, wedge: slightly narrower-and address balance maintained at 55/45 (front/rear) to encourage forward shaft lean through impact. For rotation, the goal is a shoulder turn of ~80-90° on full swings with a maintained spine tilt of 10-15° to preserve consistent plane; common faults such as over-tilting or lateral sway are corrected with a simple mirror drill and a towel under the lead arm to promote connection. In addition, measurable targets were used in practice: increase clubhead speed by 4-6 mph over 12 weeks via medicine ball rotational throws and tempo work, and limit lateral head movement to 1-2 in.-practical drills include the broomstick plane drill and a step-through weight-shift drill that isolates hip rotation while keeping connection between torso and arms.
Short game and putting were treated as scoring engines, and Kim’s routines show how to convert technical work into lower scores on courses like the French Open’s Albatros layout, with its firm greens and punishing rough. for putting, emphasize a backswing:downswing tempo of ~3:1 and keep the putter face square to the line at impact within ±2°; a reliable drill is the clock drill from 3-12 feet to build pace control and confidence. Around the green,practice 50-70 yard chipping and 30-70 foot bunker exits with landing spots and carry targets to improve trajectory control-use a two-tiered progression: first master contact and landing zone,then introduce pressure by playing competitive short-game games. Common mistakes such as excessive hand flipping or opening the clubface are corrected with a hands-quiet drill and a low-loft wedge to feel proper bounce interaction; set measurable goals like scrambling percentage +10% over eight weeks or reducing putts per round to <30 as practical benchmarks.
Course strategy combined statistical analysis with on-course instincts, a balance that helped Kim become the first American to win the french Open in 53 years. When facing narrow fairways and prevailing winds, the instruction is clear: choose the club that leaves the highest-percentage approach, not the longest one. For example, on a 320-yard par 4 with crosswind, plan for a conservative 3-wood to 4-iron off the tee to leave a 150-170 yard approach rather than going driver and facing a downhill chip; this aligns with USGA rules on playing the course strategically and minimizing penalty exposure. Nutrition and recovery were integrated into the game plan-pre-round carbohydrate load 2-3 hours out, electrolyte hydration every 45 minutes in play, and 20-30 minute active recovery sessions after practice-to maintain cognitive sharpness for shot selection, pace of play decisions, and the pre-shot routine. Mentally, adopt Kim’s two-stage focus: a concise, repeatable pre-shot checklist for execution and a post-shot reflection limited to 10-20 seconds to avoid cognitive carryover.
practice structure and measurable progress ensure transfer from range to the scorecard, with level-specific drills and metrics tracked weekly. Use technology where available-launch monitor targets such as driver launch 10-13°, attack angle -2° on mid-irons, and smash factor improvements of 0.02-0.04-but pair them with simple on-course checks like dispersion at a 150-yard target or percentage of greens hit from 100-150 yards. Recommended unnumbered practice items include:
- Beginner: 15-20 minute daily short-game block focusing on 20-40 yard chips and 3-6 foot putts
- Intermediate: 30-45 minute mixed session with tempo work, a gate drill for impact, and simulated on-course sequences
- Advanced/Low handicap: 60-90 minute periodized training with strength work, launch-monitor feedback, and scenario-based play (e.g., hitting to an elevated green into wind)
Progress is measured by tracking GIR, scrambling %, average putts, and penalty strokes; revise practice plans every two weeks and employ varied learning methods (visual video feedback, kinesthetic drills, and verbal cueing) to match physical ability and learning style. Together, these elements-mechanics, short-game precision, strategic course management, and disciplined routines-create a pragmatic blueprint any golfer can adapt to lower scores and greater consistency.
Developmental takeaways for United States junior programs to produce major champions
Coaches report that establishing a robust technical foundation is the first priority for junior pipelines seeking major champions, and this begins with consistent setup and swing mechanics that scale from youth clubs to championship courses. Stance width should approximate shoulder width for irons and slightly wider for the driver; ball position should move from center of stance for short irons to 1-1.5 clubheads inside the left heel for the driver. Emphasize a neutral spine tilt of ~3-5 degrees away from the target and a relaxed grip pressure of 3-5/10 to encourage free rotation. For measurable goals,juniors should be able to reproduce a repeatable attack angle of -3° to -1° on mid-irons and +2° to +4° with the driver in practice sessions. To reinforce these fundamentals, use simple on-range checkpoints:
- Alignment stick drill – place two sticks on the ground to train feet, hips and shoulders square to the target.
- Spine-angle mirror – record and compare photos to a template posture.
- Half‑swing tempo – use a metronome at 60-70 BPM to ingrain a one-two rhythm.
These baseline elements create the mechanical repeatability that elite juniors need before layering advanced shot-making and course strategy.
Short game proficiency differentiates scoring juniors from the rest, and instructors should teach a progressive repertoire-putting, bump-and-run, lob shots, and bunker play-using quantified targets and court-like repetitions. Start with putting: practice speed control to hold a target on a Stimp-meter equivalent of 9-11 by using a 3-spot drill (make from 6,12,18 feet) and aim to reduce three-putts to under 5% of rounds. Move to chips and pitches with measurable proximity goals: from 50-75 yards aim for 30 ft or closer at least 60% of the time; from 30-50 yards target 15 ft or closer. Useful practice drills include:
- Clockface wedge drill - set targets at 10-yard rings to build distance control.
- Bunker splash drill - mark a 6-inch turf patch to ensure consistent sand entry 1-2 inches behind the ball.
- Gate chipping – place tees to force consistent clubface impact.
Moreover, draw practical inspiration from Kim’s breakthrough as the first American to win the French Open in 53 years: on firm, undulating links-style greens, juniors should learn to play lower trajectory bump-and-runs and to use slopes to feed chips toward the hole, adjusting club selection and bounce awareness to local green speed and firmness.
Strategic course management and controlled shot-shaping must be taught as part of a junior’s decision-making curriculum, not as afterthoughts. Instructors should create scenario-based lessons that require players to calculate yardages, wind compensation, and safe landing zones – for example, when approaching a par-4 with a front-left bunker complex, teach players to take an extra 10-15 yards of carry and aim for the wider side of the green to leave a straightforward up-and-down. Train shot-shaping through technique changes: to produce a controlled draw, encourage a slightly stronger grip, an inside-out swing path of ~3-6°, and a closed-to-path face of 1-3°; for a fade, the inverse applies. Practice drills for shot shaping include:
- Target rings - place progressively narrower rings at 100-200 yards to quantify accuracy.
- Wind-play sessions – hit shots into headwinds and tailwinds, measuring club change (typically 1-2 clubs) and ball flight adjustments.
These habits mirror championship-level course strategies - as seen in Kim’s final-round tactics, where conservative lines, precise wedge selection, and wind-savvy approach play converted pressure into pars and timely birdies.
develop a structured training program that integrates technique, statistics, and the mental game to produce resilient competitors. Adopt a periodized schedule with three weekly on-course sessions, four short-game sessions, and one dedicated strength/flexibility block; juniors should log practice using measurable benchmarks such as proximity to hole, GIR percentage, and scrambling rate. Emphasize deliberate practice: short, focused bouts (20-30 minutes) on specific skills with immediate feedback via video, launch monitor data (carry, spin, clubhead speed), or coach-fed metrics. Common mistakes and corrections should be catalogued for quick reference – for example:
- Early extension - correct with a chest-to-target drill and intermediate resistance band work to maintain posture.
- over-gripping – practice with a 1‑finger glove on the trailing hand to reduce excess tension.
- Poor green reading – use benchmark lines and test putts uphill/downhill to calibrate pace.
In addition, teach rules literacy and competition routines (including Rule 14.3 relief procedures and provisional-ball usage) and incorporate pressure simulations so juniors learn to execute under tournament conditions. In sum,combining measurable technique goals,scenario-based course strategy,and a disciplined,feedback-rich practice plan will give U.S. junior programs the developmental architecture to produce future major champions.
Commercial and media implications: sponsorship strategies and broadcast opportunities after a historic victory
first, coaches and brands can seize the heightened attention following Kim’s milestone as the first American to win the French open in 53 years by producing concise, broadcast-pleasant instruction on swing mechanics that translate directly to measurable improvement. Televised segments should focus on reproducible setup fundamentals: spine tilt of 5-10° away from the target for full irons, a backswing shoulder turn of 80-100° for advanced players and weight transfer of 60-70% to the lead foot at impact. For beginners, emphasize grip pressure (hold the club at a 4-5 out of 10 firmness) and a neutral clubface within ±2° of square at address. To make this actionable on air and in sponsored digital clips, present one-step drills that viewers can replicate: a slow-motion mirror drill to check shoulder turn, hit-half shots to grooved tempo (count 1-2 on the takeaway, 1-2 on the downswing), and a tee-drill to confirm consistent ball position (driver: 1.5-2 ball widths inside the left heel; mid-iron: center; wedge: just back of center).
Next, short-game and green-reading content tied to the victory creates natural sponsorship hooks while delivering high-value instruction. Use Kim’s final-round putting and bunker play as case studies to teach speed control and trajectory management: on fast greens (Stimp ~10+) advocate leaving missed putts no farther than 18 inches past the hole to increase two-putt percentage, and when facing a 15-25 yard bunker shot, demonstrate an open-club technique that accelerates through the sand with a 56-60° sand wedge and a slightly open face at setup.Broadcast-friendly drills include:
- Gate putting for face alignment (place two tees to form a gate slightly wider than the putter head)
- The 4-spot chipping drill (chip to four targets progressively further from the hole to practice landing-area control)
- bunker rhythm drill (counted tempo: 1-2 on backswing, 1 on impact) to reduce thinned or heavy shots
These drills address common errors-excess wrist flipping, inconsistent contact-and provide step-by-step corrections suitable for novices and refinements for low handicappers.
Furthermore, course management and shot-shaping lessons broadcast after the win can educate viewers on decision-making under pressure while opening sponsorship inventory for analytics tools and equipment partners. Explain practical rules-of-thumb used on tournament courses with firm,undulating fairways: in a steady 10 mph headwind add one club,and when playing for a particular landing zone use club selection based on carry rather than total distance. Demonstrate shaping shots by adjusting ball position and swing path:
- To produce a controlled fade: ball slightly forward, aim left of target, swing along an out-to-in path with a slightly open face
- To produce a draw: ball back in stance, aim right, swing slightly in-to-out with a closed face relative to path
Provide measurable practice goals-such as hitting 20 purposeful fades and 20 purposeful draws in a session with >70% fairway/green contact-to build repeatability. These segments should include on-screen overlays of target lines, wind vectors, and simple yardage calculators to help players of all levels translate the strategy to their own rounds.
broadcasters and sponsors should pair instructional programming with mental-game and equipment insights to maximize viewer learning and commercial impact. Use Kim’s composure moments as teachable situations: simulate pressure in practice by creating small on-course competitions (e.g., must make 6 of 10 inside-8-foot putts to finish a session) and teach breathing and pre-shot routines that reduce variability.In equipment pieces, present data-driven tuning: show how loft changes of +/- 2° affect carry by measurable yards, or how shaft flex influences launch angle and spin-paired with simple fitting checkpoints viewers can do at a driving range. Suggested sponsored content formats include co-branded clinics that deliver tiered practice plans for beginners through low handicappers, and short-form broadcast spots that end with a clear call-to-action and a downloadable practice checklist:
- Setup checkpoints (grip, ball position, alignment)
- Daily 20-minute practice routine (10 minutes putting, 5 minutes chipping, 5 minutes swing drills)
- Performance targets (increase fairways hit by 10% in 8 weeks; reduce three-putts by 50%)
By linking technical instruction to the narrative of a historic victory and offering measurable, repeatable drills, media partners can both monetize heightened interest and deliver genuine improvement for golfers at every level.
Next steps for Kim and rivals with strategic scheduling and practice recommendations for sustained success
Coaches and performance directors now advise a structured calendar that mirrors the load-management approach used by elite players after major breakthroughs; following Kim’s historic status as the first American to win the French Open in 53 years, the priority is recovery, targeted practice blocks, and clever tournament selection. Begin with a 6-8 week mesocycle that allocates 60% short-game/putting, 25% full-swing, and 15% physical/mental conditioning in the first month, then shift toward competition-specific work three weeks before a target event. In practical terms, schedule two on-course strategy sessions per week (play 9 holes focusing only on layup zones and green targets), one technical range session (45-60 minutes of swing-feel work), and two short-game/power-saving sessions (30-45 minutes). For measurable goals, set targets such as improving fairways hit by 8-12% over three months or reducing three-putts to under 10% of holes, and track progress with simple stats: GIR, scrambling percentage, and putts per green in regulation.
Technique improvement should follow a layered approach: establish reliable setup fundamentals, then add swing mechanics and shot-shaping refinements. Start with setup checkpoints using an alignment stick: feet shoulder-width for mid-irons, ball position centered to 1 ball forward for 7-iron, and off the left heel for the driver; maintain a neutral grip and a spine angle with a slight tilt of 5-10 degrees toward the target. Progress to swing-plane and rotation metrics: aim for approximately 90° shoulder turn on fuller swings and a hip rotation near 45°, with weight transfer to ~60% on the lead side at the finish. Practice drills include:
- gate drill (woods/irons) to train a square clubface through impact
- Impact bag or towel drill to feel forward shaft lean at contact
- Slow-motion video checkpoints: first move is shoulder turn, then hip unwind
Beginners focus on consistency of setup and tempo (use a metronome at 60-70 bpm); low-handicappers work on precise face control and trajectory shaping (fade/draw paths) by altering path by 3-5° using tee or headcover path guides.
Short-game and green-reading are where strokes are won or lost; thus, integrate both technical repetition and pressure simulation into the schedule. Emulate the composure shown by Kim on firm, fast greens by practicing speed control with a 3-foot circle drill for putts inside 10 feet and a ladder drill for mid-range lag putts (10-40 feet) where the target is a 3-foot circle. Wedge work should include the clock drill around a hole from 10, 20, and 30 yards, hitting 8-10 balls at each station and aiming for 70% up-and-down conversion within 6 weeks. Bunker technique: practice explosion shots with an entry point 1-2 inches behind the ball and an open clubface of 8-12 degrees for soft sand; in testing conditions such as wind or plugged lies, rehearse controlled knockdowns and stance adjustments. Common mistakes-too upright setup for lies, excessive wrist breakdown, and inconsistent speed-can be corrected by filming impact position and using a video-to-coach checklist to measure improvements week to week.
integrate course-management scenarios and mental skills into practice to translate technique into scoring.Use real-course scenarios inspired by Kim’s win-when pins are tucked front-left on firm European greens, prioritize a conservative approach: aim 10-15 yards short of the flag and rely on spin control rather than attacking low-percentage pins. Drill situational play on the course: play alternate-shot holes where the goal is par recovery, practice hitting 50-75% carry targets into different wind directions, and rehearse penalty-avoidance decisions under rule 14-3 (provisional ball usage) and local out-of-bounds protocols. To build resilience, simulate pressure through challenge sets (e.g.,make three consecutive putts from 8-12 feet to finish a session) and incorporate breathing routines: box breath (4-4-4) before every competitive shot. Troubleshooting steps:
- If trajectory is inconsistent: check grip pressure and ball position
- If short-game distance control fails: adjust swing length by degrees-half, three-quarter, full-and measure yardages over a week
- If decision-making falters: play a practice round with only one club choice for certain holes to improve creativity under constraints
Taken together, these scheduling and practice recommendations create a sustainable framework for players at all levels to convert technical gains into lower scores and consistent competitive results.
Kim’s win - the first by an American at the French Open in 53 years - closes a historic chapter and injects new momentum into U.S. tennis. As the tour shifts toward grass, expectations will rise, but today the focus is on a breakthrough moment that reshapes the sport’s narrative and cements Kim’s place in tennis history.
