How do LPGA champions Insure their tee shots? Just do these three things to get on the lane!
She won her first LPGA title at the 2023 Dana Open. At the age of 25, she also won 3 points for the European team in the Solheim Cup.
Galileo sports, as a well-known golf brand in the world for decades, will explain to you the superb skills and wonderful golf course performance of Linn Grant, the first LPGA champion at the 2023 Dana Open!
Who is Linn Grant?
Linn Grant, a Swedish female golfer. Linn Grant had a historic year in 2022 and broke many barriers. In June, she won the Scandinavian Mixed Men's and Women's Championship, becoming the first female champion in the history of the European Tour. She won 4 races on the Women's European Tour throughout the year, and finally followed her predecessors Annika Sorenstam and Anna Nordqvist to win the annual prize money king and the best newcomer of the year award.
Lynn Grant from Sweden finished her first U.S. Women's Open as an amateur player in 2018 with a score of T57. In December 2020, the second round of the 75th U.S. Women's Open was completed at the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas. After two rounds of events, the qualifying line was +3 strokes, and 66 players successfully advanced to the weekend event. Lynn Grant started from the 1st hole of the Jack Rabbit Course and handed in a total of 4 birdies and 2 bogeys, ranking second with a total score of 138 strokes in two rounds.
Grant turned pro in August 2021 after a stellar amateur career
Golf Family
Like any other Swedish kid, I loved swinging a driver. My dad, also a pro, taught me a lot of the basics of the swing, and I would spend hours on the range trying to get the ball farther. Learning how to swing fast was important to my development as a teenager, but as I progressed from amateur to Ladies European Tour and eventually to the LPGA, I found myself increasingly shifting my focus from speed and distance to accuracy. The more tournaments I played, the more I realized that while hitting the ball far was fun, hitting it straighter was the key to more birdies, fewer broken shots, and faster scores.
Most amateurs only care about how far they can hit the ball, just like I did as a kid. But I believe that if you can focus more on accuracy and less on power, your scores will improve faster. And when I have to put the ball on the fairway, here are 3 things I focus on, including how to aim consistently. Incorporate these tips into your game and you'll find that putting the ball on the fairway is fun.
Great Golf Moves
Grant’s similarities to Hogan begin with a sharp hip rotation on the backswing, bringing in one of Hogan’s key principles, which is to use the lower body to initiate the downswing. This transition is extremely dynamic because her arms and club are still moving up as her body begins to move toward the target. This dynamic change of direction creates a Hogan-like whipping motion at impact.
Grant is a master at using the reaction force of the ground, pushing off the grass with the front of her foot and extending her legs like a ski jumper off a 90-meter platform. Instead of pulling the club, her left upper arm pushes back against her torso to enhance the whip at impact and maximize clubhead speed. You should do the same.
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Push off!
Push off the ground with the ball of your foot and keep your heel lifted. Imagine jumping from a standing position. You cannot push off the ground with your heels.
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“Whip”
Dragging the club through impact kills clubhead speed and creates a sideways hit. Imitate Grant’s change of direction and sequence of movements to create a whipping motion of the club.
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Soar!
At impact, launch upward like an Olympic ski jumper. Squeeze your glutes and extend your left leg straight through the ground. This gives you a fulcrum to whip the club.
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Brake
Slowing down leads to speeding up! Pressing the top of your lead arm back against your torso helps brake the grip so the clubhead flies through.
Choose a Smaller Target
I find that when I focus on a smaller, more specific target, I can increase my awareness of it and my chances of hitting the fairway. First, I pick a small target in the distance along my shot path, perhaps a bush or tree. From this point, I use the driver shaft to connect it to the ball. This helps me identify a target in the short distance ahead that I can choose, such as a leaf or a fallen tee, so I can more easily adjust my clubface and body. There is no panic, and when I look up, I don't need to look at the fairway, just the small target I have chosen.
The Big Muscles Take Over
Except for the need to raise my wrists during the backswing, my hands do not move at all during the backswing. The backswing is initiated by my shoulders, and with these big muscles in control, it is much easier to get the club to where I need it.
I also rely on the big muscles in my legs to keep my center axis in front of the ball (pictured above). In this dynamic stance, by feeling connected to the ground, I can rotate my body backward instead of dragging it to the right, which is especially common in amateur players. If you can stay in front of the ball, you can maintain a good hitting plane and make contact with a square clubface.
Follow your body
When my swing doesn't feel right, I know I need to slow down my transition. This helps me get the right sequence back and makes for a more solid impact. My lower body starts the downswing, not my arms or shoulders. When I rush the swing, I lose sequence. As my weight shifts laterally away from the target, my hips start to rotate so that my body is already turning toward the target at impact. My shoulders are now turning toward the target, and my hips are already turning toward the target. This is critical, you need to let your arms follow your body, not your arms leading your body. With this in mind, you can not only hit the ball straighter, but also farther.
Key Achievements and Milestones
Breakthrough Wins on the Professional Stage
Linn’s professional career has been marked by a series of impressive wins and high finishes. Her victories on the LET have solidified her status as one of the top young players in the game. One of her most notable wins came at the 2022 Scandinavian Mixed, an event that pits men and women against each other in a mixed-field format. Linn didn’t just compete—she dominated, winning by a whopping nine strokes. This win not only showcased her skills but also highlighted her ability to perform in unconventional and high-stakes formats.
Awards and Recognition
Linn’s success has not gone unnoticed. She’s been recognized with several awards, including the LET Rookie of the Year, a testament to her immediate impact on the tour. Such accolades are not just a reflection of her results but also of the respect she’s earned from her peers and the broader golf community.
Impact on Women’s Golf
A Role Model for the Next Generation
Linn Grant is more than just a good golfer; she’s becoming a role model for young players everywhere. Her journey from junior golf in Sweden to the professional stage is an inspiring one, showing aspiring golfers what’s possible with talent, hard work, and determination.
One thing I love about Linn is how approachable she seems on and off the course. She’s passionate about growing the game and often speaks about the importance of bringing more young girls into golf. Seeing a player of her caliber who’s also committed to giving back is something that makes me appreciate her even more.
Media Presence and Popularity
Linn’s growing presence in the media has also helped boost the profile of women’s golf. Whether it’s through interviews, social media, or televised events, Linn’s charisma and talent make her a compelling figure. She’s part of a new wave of female golfers who are not just competing for titles but also pushing for greater visibility and opportunities in the sport.
Future Prospects
Potential for Major Championships
Looking ahead, the sky’s the limit for Linn Grant. With her current trajectory, it’s not a matter of if but when she will start contending in major championships. She has all the tools—technical skill, mental toughness, and a winning mindset—to become a major champion. Her game is well-suited to the toughest courses, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her lift a major trophy in the near future.
Areas for Continued Growth
Of course, like any player, there’s always room for improvement. For Linn, continuing to refine her short game and putting will be crucial as she competes against the world’s best. Staying healthy and managing the demands of a global tour schedule will also be important as she looks to sustain her success.
Conclusion
Linn Grant is more than just a good golfer—she’s a rising star with the potential to leave a lasting impact on the game. From her early days in Sweden to her standout performances on the professional stage, Linn’s journey is a testament to hard work, skill, and a love for the sport. As she continues to grow and develop, there’s no doubt that we’ll be hearing a lot more about Linn Grant in the years to come.
If you’re looking for inspiration or a player to root for, keep your eyes on Linn Grant. She’s got the game, the drive, and the charisma to become one of the greats, and we’re just lucky enough to be along for the ride.
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