KJ Choi Shakes up the Greens with his Croquet-style Swing
KJ Choi is shaking up the greens with his new style of putting, and it may impact the game of golf as well as turn his fortunes around.
Since turning pro in 1994, the South Korea born golfer has won 17 professional tournaments, including seven on the PGA Tour. And previously in 2002 he was the first Korean to win on the PGA Tour at the Compaq Classic, followed by another win at the Tampa Bay Classic in the same year. Choi is also a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour.
“After winning twice on the PGA tour in 2002, many people have asked me if 2003 was a letdown because I didn't win again in the U.S. For me, 2003 was just as satisfying because of my overall performance. I have continued to improve my game each year on the PGA Tour and was much more consistent last year,” said the South Korean player.
With his new putting style, Choi starts out like everyone else, lining up beside the ball the same as is normally done for a regular swing. However, despite that stance and the fact that it initially looks like he may just make a traditional swing, he’ll then turn to face the hole, jut out his right leg to the left of the ball, and spread his hands far apart on his odd-looking club to follow through with his swing.
“When I started out, I was not 100 percent comfortable with it,” said Choi. “But I believe in the theory and I believe in the principle behind it. I’ve worked hard and I’ve practiced hard. I’m convinced this is the right way to go. I’m not looking back.”
Other golfers have also tried out a similar swing styles in their quest to improve their game. American legend Sam Snead also tried putting with a croquet style until the US Golf Association passed a rule that a player couldn’t straddle the ball while swinging on the green.
Choi is able to follow the US Golf Association rules by standing beside the ball when he’s putting, and facing the cup. Choi, who has finished as high as eighth at the British Open, is banking on the change improving his chances of winning his first major title.
“People say I putted well with the old putter,” Choi said. “For me, there’s always room for improvement.”
Choi has also worked with golf coach Phil Ritson in his quest to improve his golf game. Ritson stated that, in improving on his techniques, the Texas resident has also worked on keeping the top of his left arm connected to his body on the backswing and downswing. Choi previously had the tendency to let his left arm drift away from his body, causing the club to be laid off during the backswing and downswing.
“I've been working with my teacher, Phil Ritson, for the past four years. We've been focused on making my swing as simple as possible. The goal is to swing with smoother rhythm while generating as much clubhead speed as I can through impact. When my swing is working well, I can focus on what I really enjoy the most--the intensity and pressure of tournament golf,” Choi said.
Assuming the 40-year-old gets the results he expects, this could be his best open ever, his previous high coming when he tied for eighth at Carnoustie three years ago. And if he wins, there's the possibility that his new putting swing may start a new trend.
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