35-Year-Old Shin Ji-ae "Aging Backwards"

This Year’s 2 Wins in Japan Bring New Momentum
Improved Driving Distance Compared to 5 Years Ago
Innate Competitiveness and Strong Mentality
Balanced Exercise and Rest, Focus on Research and Self-Management

It seems like she is aging backwards. This is what people say about Shin Ji-ae, the "face of Korean women's golf." On the 4th round of the Toto Japan Classic, part of the LPGA Tour held in Japan on the 5th, she shot 7 under par and finished tied for 4th place. Out of the five LPGA Tour events she has participated in this year, she has finished in the top 5 an impressive four times. She has shown winning potential in major tournaments, including a runner-up finish at the U.S. Women's Open and third place at the AIG Women's Open.

Shin Ji-ae, in her mid-30s, maintains world-class skills through rigorous self-management.

Shin Ji-ae mainly competes in Japan but is ranked 15th in the world. This marks her return to the top 15 after a long 9 years and 10 months since December 2013. In May 2010, she became the first Korean female golfer to reach world No. 1. After giving up on the U.S. circuit, her world ranking dropped sharply. She was ranked 66th as recently as January, but now she has climbed close to the top 10. This is the fastest rise among Korean female players. If she maintains this ranking until June next year, she could represent Korea at the Paris Olympics wearing the Taegeuk mark.

Shin Ji-ae is truly a "living legend." She has won 11 times on the LPGA Tour, including 2 majors. On the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association (JLPGA) Tour, she has 28 wins, and on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour, including one as an amateur, she has 20 wins. This totals 64 professional wins, the most among all male and female golfers in Korea. Born in 1988, she is in her mid-30s, an age when skills typically decline. The prime years in women's golf worldwide are the early to mid-20s. In Korea, the trend is toward younger players, with teenage rookies appearing right after high school graduation. However, Shin Ji-ae is defying time. As she ages, she continues to deliver consistent performances comparable to her prime. This year, she has already won twice in Japan.

It is easy to see this by comparing her current performance with her peak years. In 2018, Shin Ji-ae made waves on the JLPGA Tour. She won 4 times in 27 tournaments, finishing first in the Order of Merit points (598.5 points), second in prize money (106.53 million yen), and second in scoring average (70.13 strokes). Although her average driving distance was only 58th (232.94 yards), she excelled in fairway hit rate (2nd, 75.90%), putts per hole (4th, 1.76), par save percentage (4th, 88.77%), and birdies per round (2nd, 3.93).

This year, Shin Ji-ae continues to showcase outstanding records. In 20 events, she has 2 wins and 14 top-10 finishes. She ranks 2nd in Order of Merit points (2652 points), 3rd in prize money (155.66 million yen), and 3rd in scoring average (70.10 strokes). Although five years have passed, her driving distance (238.96 yards), putts per hole (1.75), and birdies per round (4.03) have actually improved. Depending on her performance in the final stretch of the season, she could compete for first place in the Order of Merit, prize money, and scoring average.

Shin Ji-ae is a hungry golfer. She is not satisfied with her accumulated achievements. She is filled with the desire to remain the best. From her debut until now, she has competed with the determination to win. While most of her peers have retired, she has been active on the field for 18 years. Shin Ji-ae has a natural competitive spirit. She said, "I hate losing. That’s why I practice like crazy. The sense of accomplishment when I achieve my goals is tremendous."

Shin Ji-ae boasts a longer driving distance than five years ago thanks to a driver fitting tailored to her body.

Standing 156 cm tall, Shin Ji-ae possesses tremendous power. Her driver loft is 8.2 degrees, which is rare among female players who rarely use drivers in the 8-degree range. The driver shaft swing weight is D4, almost like a club. She adjusts the total weight by using lightweight grips and other methods. Shin Ji-ae is a consistent researcher. She even applies lead tape to her putter and changes the weights to find the optimal balance. Few players fit their own clubs as meticulously as she does. She cherishes her clubs and does not allow her caddie to touch the grips. Shin Ji-ae explained, "Everyone’s hand oils are different. The caddie can only touch the grip when wiping it with a towel." She uses one dozen (12 balls) during tournaments and replaces them immediately if there is even a slight scratch.

Shin Ji-ae is mentally strong. When she was fifteen, her mother passed away in a traffic accident. The story of her playing golf with condolence money is well known. She stands out for maintaining balance between body and mind. When she has free time, she recharges her energy by visiting concert halls and art exhibitions. Recently retired from the Japanese circuit, Lee Bo-mi praised Shin Ji-ae’s longevity, saying, "She is a friend who not only exercises but also rests well." Shin Ji-ae emphasized, "You have to clearly separate on and off. You can’t just exert force. It’s also important to relax." She manages herself thoroughly and analyzes her body carefully. She avoids flour, eggs, and dairy products starting two days before tournaments.

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