I got to poke the brain of a D1 College golfer

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 For today’s blog post, we sat down with Jinyoung Yun or as she would prefer, “Jinny”, a standout college golfer for the Illinois State Redbirds, to discuss how she manages to consistently post low scores in tournament play. Jinny is known for her mental toughness and strategic play, so we were eager to get her insights on how she approaches the course.

Q: What’s the biggest key to shooting low scores in tournaments?

Jinny: "I think it starts with course management. Knowing when to be aggressive and when to play it safe is a big factor. I spend time before the tournament studying the course layout, noting where the hazards are, and identifying which holes I can attack and where I need to play more conservatively. My goal is always to give myself birdie chances on the easier holes while minimizing bogeys on the tougher ones."

Q: How do you stay calm under pressure when every shot counts?

Jinny: "I focus on controlling what I can control. In tournaments, it’s easy to get caught up thinking about scores or what other players are doing, but I try to stay in the moment and focus on each shot. Visualization helps a lot—I picture the shot I want to hit, take a deep breath, and trust my swing. Routine is key. Having a consistent pre-shot routine keeps me calm, especially when the pressure ramps up."

Q: What’s your approach to putting?

Jinny: "Putting is where you can really make or break a round. I practice my speed control a lot before tournaments because I want to avoid three-putts. I always try to leave myself an uphill putt if possible because they’re easier to make. My mindset is to stay aggressive on shorter putts and ensure that lag putts get close enough for an easy tap-in."

Jinny’s focus on preparation, course management, and staying calm under pressure gives her an edge in competitive play. By following her advice, golfers of all levels can look to improve their tournament scores.

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