Feb 14, 2023

T-Time Podcast // Ep. 13: What It’s Like to be on the Road with LPGA Player

golf routines mental hurdles of golf on the course podcast

“The key to reaching the LPGA is to learn how to win at every level, whether it's on a semi-pro tour or another tour. By winning against your peers, you'll have an advantage when you reach the LPGA.”

Today on the show, Tori is excited to have Tara Bateman, Brandi, and Brianna Do being the guests on the podcast. Brianna is a two-time AJGA All-American and was part of the 2007 Junior Solheim Cup Team. She went to UCLA for college and received Second Team All-Pac 10 honors in 2010 and Honorable Mention in 2012. She won the 2011 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links. In her rookie year on the Epson Tour in 2012, she played in eight events and achieved a career-best T8 at the Four Winds Invitational. They will discuss what it's like to be on the road with an LPGA player. Don't miss it!

Brianna’s First Big Tournament

Brianna's first professional tournament was the US Women's Open, where she qualified to play. Surprisingly, she was leading after the first nine holes, but she missed the cut due to nerves. Despite the outcome, Brianna considered it a great debut. After graduating in June 2012, she went to Q-School to earn her professional card. She played in the US Women's Open, followed by the second half of the season on the Epson Tour (previously known as the Symmetra Tour). It was a unique start to her professional golf career, but Brianna enjoyed every moment.

Brianna’s Mentor Golf Tour Experience

Brianna went to Q-School during her junior year in college to gain status and set herself up for the rest of 2012. She found the Epson Tour (now called the Symmetra Tour) was a great stepping stone to the LPGA tour, as it taught her valuable lessons about time management, building a network of friends, and traveling. In college, she only traveled for short periods with her team, but in professional life, she had to pack for 2 to 4 weeks at a time, which was a new challenge. Overall, Brianna learned a lot from her experiences on the Epson Tour.

Brianna’s Experience at the LPGA in 2015

In 2015 and 2016, Brianna had conditional status on the LPGA and full status on the Cactus Tour. In 2015, she played well and gained confidence, but in 2016 she struggled. There was a steep learning curve when transitioning from one level to the next. Despite this, Brianna continued to play and work towards improving, still trying to figure it out.

What Brianna Wishes She Had Known in 2016

In 2016, Brianna had the idea that playing full-time on the LPGA Tour required her to be perfect. She thought she had to hit perfect shots, make every putt, and chip perfectly. However, she later learned she didn't have to play like everyone else. She learned to listen to her body and discovered that she might not need 18-hole practice rounds; instead, two nine-hole practice rounds would suffice.

Brianna also struggled to find a caddie with whom she clicked and understood the golf world. She tried different caddies and sought referrals from other players, but the situation was still challenging. She explained that there are some great caddies, but the top players usually take them. Additionally, the expenses associated with travel have become more expensive This makes it difficult to pay caddies enough to make it worth their while. She, also, pointed out that women golfers still make less than their male counterparts on the Tour.

Women and Caddies in Golf

Women golfers face a unique challenge when finding a caddie on the LPGA Tour. Many of the top caddies on tour are working with successful players; they can stick with them because they're making money. However, some caddies see the LPGA as a stepping stone to the PGA Tour, where more money can be made. This creates competition for good caddies, and it can be difficult for women golfers to find a caddie that is a good fit for them.

Finding a caddie is one of the most challenging aspects of being a woman golfer. It's like finding a partner; it's someone you'll spend a lot of time with on the course. Women golfers often require more from their caddies than men do. For example, women caddies might have to line up their shots, read every putt, and perform a wide range of tasks, whereas men's caddies might simply provide the golf ball and give a general idea of the distance to the hole or the next shot. Women golfers are often more dependent on their caddies, which can be challenging in a field where good caddies are in high demand.

How Important is Equipment to an LPGA Player?

As a player, consistency is key for Brianna. She prefers to have a set of irons that she trusts and only makes minor adjustments throughout the year. Having the right club head and shaft combination is crucial in eliminating obstacles and ensuring her clubs perform as she expects them to. This helps her determine if her issues are with her swing or her equipment rather than wondering if it's a combination of both.

She recommends getting fitted for equipment because this provides a roadmap for future adjustments and helps ensure you have the best equipment for your game. By getting fit, you can focus on your swing and eliminate the possibility of the equipment being the issue.

Why it is Important to Get Sponsors in Golf?

Sponsorship is crucial for golfers, and Brianna understands this. Major golf companies sponsor about 10 to 15 girls, with some gaining monetary benefits. Although the women's exposure isn't as high as the men's, about half to two-thirds of the LPGA players receive free products from their sponsors. Despite popular belief, golfers don't travel in luxury. Many events require long drives and commercial flights, where red-eye trips are not uncommon. This makes sponsorships even more important for golfers like Brianna.