At just 15, Illawarra Academy of Sport’s Stef Hall probably plays golf better than you or I ever will. But unlike most champion golfers, she has the added weight of school work to factor into her training. It started when she was two, watching golf on television and marvelling at a sport where you try and hit a white golf ball into a hole. Her grandparents saw the interest and bought her a set of plastic golf clubs, which she used to putt balls around the house. When she turned five she told her dad she wanted an upgrade to a real set of clubs, and a real golf course. Last year she was named the Illawarra Academy of Sport’s Golf Athlete of the Year. “The mental challenges are tough, but you push through,” she says. “I carry music around and have drills I work on – it does get lonely but you get used to it.” She plays off a handicap of plus one, which means that she has to add a stroke to her final score while most people subtract their handicap at the end of their round. Not only is she talented beyond her years, she’s also in the minority because of her gender. “Girls’ golf is very small compared to boys’ – there are still girls playing but there are a lot more boys. “You learn more off the boys because they have a different mental state to girls in golf – they hit it further and they train differently. “It’s a good experience playing with the boys.” She will see out her schooling and complete the HSC before setting her sights on turning pro. “I can go to college golf in the United States or stay here and train and then get my card from that. “You have to play well and manage yourself on and off the course, so it’s not just about playing golf.” Train like a golfer Golf practice isn’t just about hitting balls – there’s a range of other exercises that contribute to Stef’s training. She works with a power lifter to build leg and core strength which are helpful for putting more power into her swing. Her gym work involves squats, dead lifts, bench presses and extra cardio training. It’s a lot of work for a 15 year old’s body, but she says she’s used to it now and can always see improvement. Her golf training lately has been focussing on her short game, which she says is a weakness. That’s meant plenty of hours spent chipping around the green and out of sand bunkers, as well as practising long and short putting. The golfer’s diet Like any athlete, diet is important, but for Stef it’s more about avoiding junk food than loading up on super foods. “At the moment I’m staying away from junk food like chocolates, chips and meat pies. “I eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, protein and on the course have a peanut butter sandwich and more fruit and water. “The last few holes I’ll have a protein bar or chocolate bar to give me a sugar hit. “It’s a bit tough [avoiding junk food] but eventually you get used to not having it, and it makes you a lot better.” By Justin Huntsdale
