[Field Story] Golfer and Summer Vacation

Domestic Golfers' Hot Season Rest Tips
Travel, Hobbies, Injury Treatment, Practice, and Recharging

Tour players have almost no rest period. After finishing the season, they take a short break before heading off for training camps. Upon returning home, they work on sharpening their shots through practice rounds to prepare for the new season.

There is a welcome period for domestic golf players in Korea: the hot July and the rainy season. They pause their tour schedules and take a break ranging from two weeks to as long as a month. Players choose various ways to make the most of this precious time.

Some players go on trips first. Female players often travel with their families during the tour, but male players are different. Most travel alone to tournaments. They feel sorry for their parents, wives, and children. There is nothing better than a family trip to soothe their tired minds and bodies. They recharge their depleted energy while enjoying the refreshing breeze.

Park Gyeol is recharging her energy by taking a break during the midsummer "summer vacation."
[Photo by Park Gyeol, Instagram]

Ham Jeong-woo, who competes on the Korean Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Korean Tour, went on a family trip to Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. He replenished his strength with delicious foods like beef. Han Seung-soo, a Korean-American and winner of the Korean Open, also spent joyful time with his family. Right after the trip, Han left for Liverpool, England, to participate in The Open. “Beauty golfer” Kim Ji-hyun is enjoying her travels in Japan. “Long hitter” Kim Ji-young2 is spending a lot of time with her dog.

Some players watch sports they usually don’t get to enjoy. Korean Tour veteran Park Eun-shin relieved stress by watching a professional baseball home game of the SSG Landers at Incheon Munhak Stadium. “Smile Queen” Yoo Hyo-joo is also a baseball fan. She supports SSG Landers’ ace pitcher Kim Kwang-hyun and outfielder Choi Ji-hoon. Last year, she even threw the ceremonial first pitch. Yoo said, “Golf and baseball are similar. You never know who will win.”

Some players use the rest period to recover from injuries. This is to return to the tour in perfect condition in the second half of the year. Im Hee-jung is a representative example. She is an emerging star on the KLPGA Tour with five career wins, including two majors. This year, she was unable to collect any trophies due to injury. Im said, “I am focusing on recovering from wrist and ankle injuries,” adding, “I will show a good performance in the second half.” Korean Tour’s “Match King” Lee Jae-kyung is also diligently treating his back.

Some players are determined to make a comeback. They vow to show their former selves. Jang Ha-na, who has five LPGA Tour wins and 15 KLPGA Tour victories, fell into a severe slump in the first half of this year. She made it to the final round only once in 14 tournaments this season. She ranks 122nd in the prize money standings (3,195,000 KRW). Jang has started correcting her shots for a turnaround in the second half. Kim Tae-woo, who returned to the field after military service, focused on checking his shot form during the break.

Some players are sweating it out for bigger stages. “Korea’s Jon Rahm,” Jung Chan-min, will participate in Asian Tour events next month: the International Series England and the St Andrews Bay Championship. He underwent intense training at Busan Asiad Country Club. Veteran Lee Tae-hee attended the OK Financial Group sports team workshop and then devoted himself to personal training. Lee is also aiming for an upset at the Asian Tour events held in Europe. Jang Eun-soo, who plays on the KLPGA Dream (second-tier) Tour, departed for Liverpool. She is clearing her complicated mind by watching The Open.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.