Self-taught Aditi Ashok prefers to play without a coach | Tokyo Olympics News – Times of India
BENGALURU: Ace Indian golfer Aditi Ashok’s doughty fourth-place performance at the Tokyo Olympic Games drew huge praise from fellow professionals, golf aficionados and over 1.3 billion Indians. But what is even more laudable is that unlike most pros in the sport, the Bengalurean has been without a coach for over four-and-a-half years. And she doesn’t feel the need for one.
The 23-year-old has been self-taught since she turned pro in 2016. The three Ladies European Tour titles, her gritty show on the LPGA — this is her fifth year on the biggest Tour — and the Tokyo heroics have all come without seeking any teaching pro’s help. “I take a lot of videos and keep learning about my swing every day,” Aditi told TOI after three-under 68 on the third day saw her in sole second place at the Olympics.
“Whatever tendencies and stuff that come out when I play in tournaments, I use that information to correct myself sometimes,” she added.
Her knowledge of the game is astounding, just like her course management and her short-game prowess. “I think I have always been a feel-based player, so it’s not been too hard for me the past four-and-a-half years without a coach,” Aditi explained.
Even on the course, she makes her own judgement, from club selection — even when she is in two minds — to reading of the greens. She rarely seeks the caddie’s inputs. Her fellow Bengalurean Anirban Lahiri, who plies his trade on the PGA Tour, differed in his opinion of a coach.
“I feel a coach is an essential part of any good professional’s team. We pick up bad habits, and react to different weather, different conditions, different grass and a lot of times those little bad habits can multiply or snowball into larger problems in the long run. The main function of the coach is to keep a check on that,” said Anirban. “Having said that, there are a lot of pros who are selftaught and don’t really have regular coaches,” he added.
The 23-year-old has been self-taught since she turned pro in 2016. The three Ladies European Tour titles, her gritty show on the LPGA — this is her fifth year on the biggest Tour — and the Tokyo heroics have all come without seeking any teaching pro’s help. “I take a lot of videos and keep learning about my swing every day,” Aditi told TOI after three-under 68 on the third day saw her in sole second place at the Olympics.
“Whatever tendencies and stuff that come out when I play in tournaments, I use that information to correct myself sometimes,” she added.
Her knowledge of the game is astounding, just like her course management and her short-game prowess. “I think I have always been a feel-based player, so it’s not been too hard for me the past four-and-a-half years without a coach,” Aditi explained.
Even on the course, she makes her own judgement, from club selection — even when she is in two minds — to reading of the greens. She rarely seeks the caddie’s inputs. Her fellow Bengalurean Anirban Lahiri, who plies his trade on the PGA Tour, differed in his opinion of a coach.
“I feel a coach is an essential part of any good professional’s team. We pick up bad habits, and react to different weather, different conditions, different grass and a lot of times those little bad habits can multiply or snowball into larger problems in the long run. The main function of the coach is to keep a check on that,” said Anirban. “Having said that, there are a lot of pros who are selftaught and don’t really have regular coaches,” he added.
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