GOLF needs to move away from its elitist mindset and focus on attracting a younger audience, according to the rising star Paris Hilinski.
Aged just 19, Hilinski has bold plans for golf, both in terms of her own aspirations and how she wants to see the sport grow in the future.
Paris Hilinski is looking to change the game of golf
Hilinski finished as first alternate at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2019
She believes golf needs to modernise
Hilinski has backed Paige Spiranac amid the backlash she gets for her content
Hilinski, who hails from California, USA started playing golf aged just 12 before quickly moving on to win her first amateur tournament at the 2018 LoneStar Girls Invitational.
In 2019, she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship before taking part in sectional qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open in Pittsburgh, where she finished as first alternate.
She focuses on brand exposure and social media as her avenues to grow her brand and golf, all the while working on her own game to achieve her dream of being the best in the world.
Speaking on the Par 3 Podcast, Hilinski said: “I’m not against anybody, but I’m trying to actually grow the game.
“I feel like a lot of times these organisations are very focused on trying to preserve this very tight-knit group of elitism that’s been in the game for so long.
“They act like they go against it but they’re not from my perspective. I’m trying to see other ways the game can grow that you guys aren’t trying.”
Hilinski has amassed over 82,000 followers on Instagram and over 164,000 on TikTok.
This is dwarfed by another prominent golf figure; Paige Spiranac, who has 3.7million followers on Instagram alone.
Paige has 3.7million followers on Instagram
Hilinski started golfing aged just 12
She has 82,000 followers on Instagram
Spiranac is often the subject of backlash because of the raunchy content she posts.
However, Hilinski believes golf influencers such as Paige are “cool”, and slammed those who try belittle the scene.
She said: “I’m not really in the same lane (content style) as Paige but I don’t understand all the hate towards her.
“Paige played College golf at San Diego State, she almost won a national title.
“I don’t know where this misconception comes from that these girls all of a sudden can’t play golf because they’re in a different lane to professional golf.
“I like a lot of them, they’re really cool people. They’re just in their own world.
“They’re not trying to play pro golf they’re just doing they’re doing their own thing which is cool.”
Regardless, Hilinski believes women’s golf has a long way to go to achieve its potential, starting with a change in mentality of many female golfers.
Hilinski focuses on brand partnerships and social media to grow golf
She has urged golf tours to do more to engage a younger audience
On her experience as a member of the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association), she added: “I’m a member and I know what some people get paid and it’s not a lot…
“In order for things to change you need to fight with what you want especially in women’s golf.
“There’s a lot of women content with where they are, but I’m not cause I think there’s so much more out there for women playing golf.”
Hilinski also revealed she had not heard about any LIV Golf women’s tour, but admitted she was open to the idea.
Her new wave of ideas has seen Hilinski land a role as a creative director for LA Golf, who make “technologically advanced” golfing products including Putters, Shafts and Golf balls.
“It’s amazing,” she said when asked about her role with them.
“They actually reached out to me, it was a very new company, like the first Putter had not even come out yet.
“The CEO knew Claude (Harmon III – her trainer). They gave me the whole LA golf spiel and I ran off with like 25 different ideas and ranted to him (the CEO) on the phone for a long time.
“[I] Flew out here to meet them and a couple of months later they called me and said we’d love to make you part of the company.
“And they named me creative director, so I just help out with everything.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a living playing golf?
Absolutely! Professional golfers have many income streams. You could teach lessons, sell merchandise, host tournaments or even participate in celebrity events.
How do I improve my golf score?
These simple tips can make it easy to improve your golf game.
- Play less and practice more. Practice more to become better at your chosen skill. If you play too much, it can lead to bad habits.
- You should play when you feel good. There are times when you just don’t feel like playing golf. Do not force yourself to do something you don’t enjoy. Instead, find new ways to make playing golf enjoyable.
- Take breaks. Golfers often take breaks during their round to stretch, walk around, eat lunch, etc. Breaks allow your body to relax, and help you stay focused during the round.
- Drink water! It’s easy to lose track of how many drinks you’ve had while out on the course. Drink enough water to ensure you don’t become dehydrated. It will keep you feeling hydrated before, during, & after your game.
- Make sure you eat right. You will be able to do well on the course if you eat healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables and lean protein.
- Keep hydrated. Water is the best thing to keep hydrated. You should try drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. This includes water that is made from beverages, such as coffee, as well plain water.
- Make sure to warm up. Warm up for five minutes by walking, jogging or running before hitting your first shot. Then, focus on getting loose and limber.
- Keep your head down. It’s important that you keep your eyes focused on the ball when you tee-off. Don’t look at the ball and pay attention to where it hits. Instead, you should focus on the hole.
- Proper form is key to a smooth and graceful swing. Proper form may mean different things to different people. But, generally speaking, you want to avoid swinging through your target. Instead, aim for the ball to be in the middle of your club face.
- Concentrate on the process. You can improve your golf swing by focusing on the process. Try relaxing your grip if you struggle to hold your hands still. If you have trouble maintaining balance, focus on your posture.
Can I play golf?
Golf isn’t bad for you. In fact, it’s very healthy. Studies show that golfers live longer lives than non-golfer. Golfers also have a tendency to be happier because they are less stressed.
What is the average score for a weekend player?
An average score of a beginner golfer is about 100. As you get better at golf, your scores improve. You’ll most likely begin with 9 holes and progress to 18 holes.
What is the average game of golf?
Average golfers shoot around 80-85 yards in tandem with their driver.
How can I instantly improve my game of golf?
Practice 20 minutes per session, three times per week, to improve your ability to play golf. You must practice consistently if you want to perform well in any tournament. Practice makes perfect!
Statistics
- By adding 10 more yards to all their golf shots amateurs will increase the percentage of greens they hit by 8 – 10%. (golfinsideruk.com)
- Or that, on the greens, some 84% of putts over five feet also finish short of the hole? (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- Stats reveal 96% of golfers play right-handed. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- Shot Scope’s mapping data reveals 72% of danger is at the front of the green (sand or water), whereas there’s only 28% behind. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- The blade aim at impact controls 92% of the ball’s start line, so prioritise face aim as a place to start (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
External Links
collegeofgolf.keiseruniversity.edu
golfdigest.com
amzn.to
troy.golf
How To
Five Steps to Lower your Golf Scores
- Start off with the right equipment. Good clubs and balls are essential. To find the right club for you, it is best to learn from someone who plays golf. Ask around at the local driving school if there isn’t anyone you know who plays. They may even give you an instructor’s lesson for free if they like to see new faces.
- Practice makes perfect. This is no secret. However, if your goal is to improve your game, practice will be essential. It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing alone or with friends; practicing is essential. And when you do start practicing, make sure you keep track of your progress. Write down everything you do so that you can see where you’re improving and where you still need work.
- Play more. It’s likely that you will feel overwhelmed when you start golfing. You won’t be able to go out as often because you are spending too much on equipment. But once you get in a rhythm, you’ll find that you actually enjoy it. The next step is to increase the frequency of your play. Play three times per week or every other day. That means one round of 18 holes during the weekend and two rounds of 9 holes during the week.
- Don’t forget to eat well. Many people believe that eating breakfast is a way to do their bodies a favor. This isn’t good for your health. Instead, try to eat something before you leave the house. A small snack with protein, carbs, and fat is a good idea. Then, when you arrive at the course, you can have a light meal consisting of lean proteins and vegetables.
- Get plenty of water. Drinking lots of fluids prevents dehydration, which can lead headaches or muscle aches. Plus, drinking water keeps your body properly hydrated, which is essential for optimal performance.
