IT'S NOT THE SIZE OF THE DOG THAT COUNTS...

Even at 5' 1" and only 125 lbs, my youngest daughter, Anya, is by far, the best, strongest and most successful golfer in our family (yes, she beats me too!). "Little J.R." (as in "Jack Russels" which are known as "large dogs inside a little body"), was asking me about what did I think was the reason for the success of the Asian girls on the LPGA Tour. Unlike many others who feel jealous or threatened, she had a simple question: "what is it that these girls do -and particularly those from the much smaller country of South Korea-, to be more successful as a group than all others? I'd like their 'secret'!" (left top, U.S. Women's Open Champion, Inbee Park, from South Korea).

It's a hard question to answer, particularly to someone who has taught me a few lessons as well, but I believe that it has to do more with mental attitude, than with training aids. Sure, you can't ignore the fact that there are several Asian girls around the top of the leader board in almost every event, but a winning attitude is not exclusive of Asia, or Sweden or the USA, for that matter... it is exclusive of the champion's heart in the athlete, it is that attitude that the champion takes, where size and power matter less than will, confidence and heart.

Champions are known to be organized, self disciplined, make sacrifices, to prefer wisdom and kowledge over physical strength, be detailed, and, above all, feel you can do anything you set their mind to. Sometimes this is taught to you, sometimes you learn it by yourself, sometimes it is a combination; but, in the end, it is always up to the athlete to believe in what he is taught, that's his job. A champion's heart is not exclusive of a country or a culture, it is exclusive of those who refuse to lose, those who are selfish enough to sacrifice some of their time in order to get better. A champion is not made in the driving range with Dave Ledbetter or Butch Harmon, a champion comes from inside the athlete; a champion learns how to conquer his weaknesses and turn them into strengths, doing whatever is necessary to get better.

As far as the physical part of the game, practice your weaknesses 7 times as much as you practice your strengths; if you are really good with the wedge, hit 10 wedge shots and 70 mid and long iron shots; if you are not good in your short putts; practice your short putts 7 minutes for every minute you practice your long putts. You can learn from others that the fight is inside you.

As far as our American girls, don't sell them short! Many have the same attitude and you will see many more. When other American professionals see young American stars like Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer (pictured right), our crop of players will begin "evening up" the top of those leader boards.

No athlete with a champion's heart likes to get beat. As President Dwight Eisenhower used to say, "it is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog that counts". So, if you are young, and strong, wear a XXL but have the attitude of "OK, there is nothing I can do to get better", I'll take that small Jack Russell as my partner.