T-Time Podcast // Ep. 58: Event & Golf Update PLUS Best of Series: Playing Your Best While Working Full-Time with Shelly Haywood
Tori is joined by Shelly and Kim as they shed light on the challenges and joys of balancing golfing prowess with a thriving full-time business. Navigating her transition from giving up LPGA status to becoming an amateur golfer, Shelly's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Discover the magic behind her triumph in the prestigious Jones Doherty championship, where her short game proved invaluable. The conversation also unravels the secrets behind their calm and slow-paced demeanor during golf rounds, offering wisdom from which every golfer can benefit.
Managing Tournaments Schedule While Working Full-Time
Shelly, one of the top senior women golfers in the nation, finds it difficult to manage tournament schedules while maintaining a full-time job. Careful planning and decision-making are necessary to balance her love of golf and operating her own business. Shelly carefully chooses important competitions and world amateur ranking events, ensuring she participates in ones that complement her schedule and offer various playing chances. While senior golfers in Southern California have access to various competitions, Shelly's time restrictions force her to make thoughtful selections. Her commitment to the sport is clear as she competes with other elders and the younger generation, which has been mockingly termed the "Flat Bellies." After years of professional play and overcoming personal obstacles, Shelly's journey back to amateur status highlights her unwavering commitment to golf's demanding lifestyle.
Challenges Transitioning from Giving up LPGA Status to Becoming an Amateur Golfer
For Shelly, changing from an LPGA member to an amateur golfer presented several difficulties. She initially concealed her past golfing endeavors while managing her firm, but a serendipitous meeting with a customer who played golf rekindled her love for the game. However, she could not compete in regional competitions since she is a member of the LPGA's teaching and club professional category. She eventually had to make the painful choice to renounce her LPGA membership to focus on amateur golf once more. She had to take a few years off from competitive play, but an online application made restoring amateur status easier. Despite the difficulties, Shelly relished the opportunity to play amateur golf again and set goals to compete in prominent tournaments like the Senior Women's Open and Senior Women's Amateur. Although she initially struggled, her tenacity and spirit of competition inspired her to advance and participate at the highest level once more.
What Jones Doherty is and How Shelly's Short Game Helped Her Win a Championship
The Jones Doherty is an amateur golf competition that takes place annually in January at Coral Ridge Country Club in Fort Lauderdale. After the stroke play qualifying rounds, there are match play rounds. Shelly's short game was a key factor in her championship victory. She had changed her emphasis from quantity to quality practice, working with her coach to hone her short-game abilities. Her short-game prowess became the secret to her success when she competed in the Jones Doherty. Shelly and her companion performed admirably throughout the stroke play qualification to secure their berths in the match play. Shelly struggled a little throughout the qualifying round, but she still finished well. Shelly's outstanding short-game performance throughout the arduous competition enabled her to successfully negotiate the difficult course, resulting in her triumph in the championship.
Maintaining A Calm And Slow Paced Demeanor During Golf Rounds
To play her best during golf rounds, Shelly keeps her cool and takes things slowly. She believes that high energy levels throughout a round don't work for her style of play and that she plays her best golf while moving slowly. On the other hand, Kim has a level of energy in the middle. Shelly formerly suffered from crippling performance anxiety that impacted her performance. She was able to get through that, though, thanks to experience and a mental adjustment. Shelly won the Jones Doherty tournament, largely thanks to her short game. Her coach's guidance in helping her develop her short-game methods and focus on quality practice helped her negotiate the difficult course successfully. Her ability to maintain composure and depend on her short-game abilities throughout the competition helped her win the title. Her superb short game, putting, and bunker play in the decisive match against Judith Carini saved her and helped her secure a well-deserved victory.
Impact Of Challenging Losses In Golf And Personal Struggles And Their Effects On Shelly's Journey
Difficult golf losses, specifically the 2019 Southern Cal Senior Women's competition, significantly impacted Shelly. She was a competitive player, and when she didn't match her standards, thus being severe on herself. She had the lead in the competition after the first round but battled and shot an 80 in the next, losing to Kathy Carlotta. Although the loss was terrible, it was only one of the challenges Shelly experienced at that time. Her mental and emotional health suffered since she was also in a toxic and violent relationship with an alcoholic boyfriend. She used golf as an outlet for the stress at home and a source of pride and identity as it provided her with a desperately needed outlet and a means of separating herself from the terrible environment.
What You Need To Do To Win A Tournament
1. Shelly's Calm and Slow-Paced Demeanor
Shelly highlights the need to keep a composed and leisurely pace on the golf field to win a competition. She has discovered through experience that she plays her best golf when she is mentally and physically moving slowly. Her ability to concentrate on the shot at hand while being cool and collected shields her performance from outside distractions or pressure. One of the secrets to Shelly's success is her ability to focus on what is happening now and not let the competition's outcome determine how she performs.
2. Kim's Confident and Cocky Mindset
On the other hand, Kim performs best when she plays while exuding confidence and a little cockiness. She approaches every shot with the conviction that she is invincible when she plays to her full ability. This self-belief gives her this strength. Kim knows the importance of mental toughness in golf and that having a positive outlook results in greater outcomes. She doesn't play golf regularly, but she knows how important her confidence and mental toughness are to her success.
3. The Importance of Mental Resilience and Staying in the Bubble
Shelly and Kim concur that maintaining one's composure under pressure and having mental toughness is crucial to winning competitions. They can stay focused on their game without letting other influences like players' performances, or poor course conditions affect them. One must have faith in their talents to prevent setbacks that can define performance.
Conclusion
The discussion offers a deep understanding of the difficulties and rewards of juggling a full-time job with a tough career in golf. Shelly's motivational journey from giving up her LPGA membership to playing golf as an amateur exemplifies her everlasting dedication to the game despite the challenges she encountered. Her victory in the renowned Jones Doherty competition, in which her short game proved vital, exemplifies the value of tenacity and excellent preparation. Kim's self-assured and cocky attitude contrasts with Shelly's slow-moving, composed manner on the golf course, illuminating the different strategies for winning the game.
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