ASK CHRISTINA LECUYER!
(Touring Pro)
(you can ask Christina a question or read past answers at the end of this intro. or by clicking here!)
ISUCKATGOLF.NET would like to welcome Touring Pro Christina Lecuyer to our Ask The Experts staff!
If you ever used the excuse that you started golf too late and that's why you can't break 100 on your best day, you may want to go visit our Pro Shop and order some hats rather than reading on! Christina, now 26, didn't pick up a golf club until after graduating high school at age 18. She went on to earn a golf scholarship to play for the University of Central Arkansas at age 21! (For the mathematically challenged that's 3 years after taking her first swing.) Christina won her first 3 amateur tournaments and 5 times in college before turning her sites towards playing professionally.
Christina turned pro after graduating UCA in '07, and in her first Cactus Tour event Christina finished runner-up, adding 2 more second place finishes later that season. She made it to the final stage of LPGA Q-school in '07 and will be giving it another shot next year. We like her chances!
Christina has had 3 holes in one, one in a Cactus Tour event. Chris was also a contestant on The Golf Channel's Big Break Kaanapali this season and made it through a very tough field to the final four before being eliminated.
We're thrilled Christina agreed to join our "Ask The Experts" staff and will answer you golf swing questions for free! You can also ask her about her experiences on tour, on the "Big Break", whatever!
Oh, and guys, Christina loves sports, cooking, is a professional golfer, and has model good looks….. but dream on gentlemen, you have a better chance of reaching that 620 yard par 5 over water in two!
CLICK HERE TO ASK CHRISTINA A QUESTION!
(your question and answer will appear here, usually within a few days.)
Why start golfing so late and how long before you "got good?"
Preparing for Q-school and what's your secret?
What golf ball to play in the cold?
LATE START & HOW SO GOOD SO FAST?
(NOV 08)
Hi Christina,
Why do you think you didn't take up golf earlier than age 18?
You got so good so fast!, what were your scores like the first 3 years? (were you shooting in the 90’s your first year, the 80’s etc.)
And last, when did it hit you that you loved golf? On your first swing, after starting to get better?
Thanks Christina!
Alan
Ark.
Hey Alan,
Thanks so much for the question! Its my first one!
I think the reason I started golf so late is because I grew up around it. That doesn't really make sense, but it is true. I was told to play golf since I was very young and I wasn't really into it. My whole family is in the golf business and as a little girl I wasn't interested. However, as I got older one of my jobs was at a golf course and all the guys I worked with played, so I started. I've always been a tom-boy and beating the guys was something that was very motivating!!
In my first summer playing I did quite well. I broke 90,80 and shot par from the ladies tees. I played my first tournament the next summer and I won that as well as two more. I think that getting good so fast was fantastic; however I hit a big road block quite soon after. Its hard to get good fast and keep excelling. I have worked hard in the last few years and I love getting better. I hope that 09' will be a break through year for me and I'm excited to see what happens!!
I really do love the game and if I didn't say I loved it from day 1 my dad would be severely disappointed!!!! Hahaha
Thanks for the question!
Christina
PREPARING FOR Q-SCHOOL & THE SECRET TO GETTING SO GOOD SO FAST!
(NOV 08)
Hi Christina,
Big fan of yours from Big Break! My question is how are you preparing for Q-school and when is that? Are you playing in any tournaments before that to tune up for it, or just lots of practice? Also, when you first got serious about golf did you take a lot of lessons to learn or did you just teach yourself? Just wondering how you were able to take to it so fast when most struggle with breaking 100 their whole lives.
Thanks and good luck in Q-school!
Frank
Orlando
Hey Frank!
Thanks so much for the question and for being a fan of the show.
This year the first stage of LPGA Q-school has already passed, the sectional stage comes the 3rd week of september and the 1st week of October. There are two locations for women: Palm Springs, Ca and Venice,Fl. Sadly this year I did not make it through these stages and into the final stage in Daytona, FL. What I can say is that I will be there again next year and hopefully a fully exempt player in 2010!!
As for prep heading into any big event practice is crucial, especially short game and playing in a few events in the same area leading up to the event is what I think works best for me. Staying in tournament mode is big for me, it keeps me in a rhythm.
As for how I got good in such a short time, I think comes from many aspects. The biggest one is that I grew up around the sport. Its not like I had never seen a course or a club before, I knew nothing but golf. I also think that I had a natural talent and the biggest thing is that i'm super driven and competitive. I hate not doing anything well. I have also had my dad and my brothers there for me for many years and I learnt from them, they all are so talented.
I think you can do anything you put your mind to, but it takes a lot of work. I feel like those who cant break 100 is because they don't have the time to actually practice and put in the work. This is not a bad thing and as long as you enjoy it, its a great game!
Thanks and have a great holiday season
Christina
(Dec. 08)
Hi Christina,
Do you ever change balls depending on the weather conditions? We play sometimes in the cold, and even sometimes in the snow!, and I wanted to know if you change the type of ball you use if it’s exceptionally cold and if you have any tips on playing in the cold? You’re very pretty by the way.
Suzanne P.
Hey Suzanne,
Thanks for the question and the complement!
I grew up in Canada so I know what cold is, and I've played in snow too; however I will admit it happened like once and that was enough for me. You are a trooper to be out when its snowing, I tend to say anything below 40-45 is an inside day for me!
As for ball choice, I have two favorites and heat actually helps me determine which to use, not so much cold. I'm sponsored by Callaway and love the tour ix ball; however I find that when its really hot it becomes a bit sticky for feel shots and I go for the pro v1. There are so many good companies and awesome technology out there so my best advice would be to try a few balls and see what feels best to you in all types of weather.
Thanks again for the question and stay warm!!!!
Christina
ISAG Bonus Tip: We agree with Christina! The technology today is so good that the better ones (you can tell by price if nothing else!) perform pretty well in all weather. If it's exceptionally cold you should keep a few balls wrapped in a towel or even one in your pocket and change balls every 2 or 3 holes. A really cold ball won't give you a good feel.
WHAT'S YOUR WORKOUT AND STRETCHING ROUTINE?
(Jan 08)
Hey Christina,
I am a PGA Professional and Titleist Certified Golf Fitness Instructor. I work with mostly males right now in training and swing instruction so I would like to get a female pro's take. What kind of workout and stretching routines do you use during the season?
Thanks!
Clayton Garland, PGA, C.G.F.I.
Hey Clayton,
Thanks for the question and I hope you had a great holiday season.
During the off-season I run and work on core a lot. I'm not a huge lifter, about 2 years ago I had a personal trainer that worked a lot with weights and I tend to get bulky, and I didn't love that, so now I work with light weights (5-15pds). I do shoulders, back, biceps, triceps and abs. I stretch on the bosu ball with weighted bars. I typically workout 4-5 days a week.
When season is in full swing I actually do all the same things just a little less. I will still run most days, lift light weights and do ab exercises. I feel that I could and probably will do more stretches this season. If you have some stretch suggestions let me know!!
Hope that helps you and me both !!
Have a great 2009,
Christina
CLICK HERE TO ASK CHRISTINA A QUESTION!
