Grace Park

Female golf professional Grace Park was born in South Korea in 1979. She moved to Hawaii and then to Arizona where she was top female high-school scholar-athlete in the United States. The Dial Award was given in 1996. Park starting winning may major amateur championships in 1998. She won the United States Women’s Amateur Golf Championship and 1998, and tied for eighth in 1999 amateur U.S. Women’s Open. By 1999, she was playing professionally on the Futures Tour. She earned Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.

During Park’s senior year in high school, she was invited to Phoenix to compete in a long-drive contest with Laura Davies and two other LPGA Tour players. Grace finished a close second, with a drive close to 300 yards. Three years later at the 1999 U.S. Women’s Open, she was up against Laura Davies. Her 263.4-yard driving average was almost nine yards longer than her competition. She was already on her way up the ladder of professional golfing.

Park begins with a very wide stance that provides plenty of balance for the swing. Her weight is always centered between her feet, arms fully extended to allow very wide arc. As she shifts her weight over her right instep, her immense power generates, and her shoulders turn well past 90 degrees. Her left shoulder is directly above her right thigh. This tight windup allows her to whack the ball 300 yards. Her strong legs maintain position as she unwinds after the shot.