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Previous Issues > September 2007 > What's It Like To BE... > What's It Like To Be A Great Young Golfer?
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 What's It Like To BE...
What's It Like To Be A Great Young Golfer?
Have you ever tried golf? A 12-year-old girl named Jessica Haigwood sure loves it! Jessica made her first hole-in-one at the age of 10 at Indian Hills Country Club in Atlanta, Georgia. She recently placed 10th in the girls' 12 division of the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship in Pinehurst, NC, which is the world's largest golf tournament for boys and girls age 12 and under. Also at the World Championship, she won the long-drive competition by hitting the ball 241 yards! She also has won The Golf Channels Drive, Chip and Putt competition in Atlanta and Birmingham. I wondered, what does it feel like to have all those people watching you play golf? Jessica was kind enough to spend some time to tell me about what it's like to be a great young golfer. I discovered that while she shines on the golf course, she is also a typical young girl who dreams of one day being a professional golfer.
Truman: First of all, how did you get started in golf?
JESSICA: My dad loves golf. I would watch him hit balls in our back yard and at the driving range. I started hitting balls at the age of 4. My brother, Spencer, who is 10 years old now, was practicing, too. We have a picture of him hitting the ball, and he's still in diapers! We both entered a putting and driving competition at a local driving range, and I was hooked on golf from that time on. I enjoy playing with my brother. We have putting competitions. It makes practicing fun.
 Truman: What do you like best about playing golf?
JESSICA: Blasting the ball! I can drive the ball about 250 yards. I won the long-drive competition at the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship for 12-year-old girls in August. I also love tournaments and traveling to different golf courses. I've met some really nice people from all over the world.
Truman: Do you spend a lot of time practicing golf? How do you juggle schoolwork and your passion for golf?
JESSICA: I practice every day. After school, I try to get all of my homework done first, and then I go with my dad to our course to practice. If I have a lot of homework or a project to do, I will practice at home, putting and chipping.
Truman: What is going through your mind when you are at a tournament with lots of people watching you? Do you get nervous?
JESSICA: I love when people are watching me. It is very exciting. I recently had a huge crowd watching when we played the U.S. Kids Golf World Cup on Pinehurst No. 2. I was one of the six players from the U.S. chosen to play in this event, and I won my match! The crowd was the largest one I've seen watching me play golf. It was a great feeling to hear the cheers walking up to the 18th fairway!
Truman: Do you want to be a professional golfer, or what do you want to be when you grow up?
JESSICA: I definitely want to be on the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) one day. That is my goal.
Truman: What is your favorite subject at school and why?
JESSICA: My favorite subject is science. I love to see how things work. I also love animals and the outdoors.
Truman: What other sports do you enjoy? Which do you like best?
JESSICA: I also like gymnastics. I started gymnastics when I was 3. I went to Level 7 and decided to stop because I wanted to work harder at golf. In gymnastics, you have one chance to get it right, but in golf you have many chances! Gymnastics helped my golf by making me stronger, so I can hit the ball farther.
Truman: What advice would you give other kids who are just getting started in golf?
JESSICA: Practice, practice, practice! Keep it fun and hit a lot of balls! Check into organizations that help kids learn golf. U.S. Kids Golf was a good one for me because my dad was able to caddie for me in their tournaments. You can play with others that are just learning, too. Don't get discouraged when starting out. There is a lot to know, but once you learn it, all you need is practice, and you will get better and better each time.
Truman: Thanks so much for telling us about what it's like to be a great young golfer. I know we'll be hearing more about you in the future!
Photos: Above, Jessica Haigwood hits a long drive. Photo credit: Haigwood Studios.
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