Paula Creamer: Player Profile

Jul 11

Paula Creamer: Player Profile

Posted In: Features By: admin 0 Comments

On her third year on the Tour, and currently ranked No. 3 in the latest Rolex World Rankings, Paula Creamer has successfully leveraged her improved mental approach and commitment to increasing her fitness level and it truly shows, with four wins in 2008.
With the world’s second-ranked player, Annika Sorenstam, stepping away from competitive golf at the end of the season, Paula just may be Lorena Ochoa’s prime challenger for the No. 1 ranking.

When asked recently about her plans for the off-season, the $5.7 million career earner responded with, “Keeping myself fit.”

As witty as she is talented, Golf Fitness Magazine recently had the opportunity to sit down with Central Florida resident Paula Creamer to learn just what it takes to be one of the top LPGA players, and how fitness and nutrition play a role in her success.

Golf Fitness Magazine: Congratulations on winning the Samsung Championship! How did you prepare physically and mentally for the final day on Sunday?

Paul Creamer: I really try to prepare the same way each week, so I really didn’t do anything differently last week at the Samsung World Championship. I really didn’t do anything saturday night that I didn’t do the previous 5 days. I worked a lot around the greens on the practice round days. Since I had never played half moon bay, I had a lot to learn in a short amount of time. Physically, i did my normal workout routine which consists of cardio and weights.
Now that I think of it though, I did something different on saturday evening, I went to my step-uncle’s 60th birthday party! Maybe that’s what did it!!

GFM: Describe your typical pre-round warm-up.
PC: I usually meet my caddie about 1½ hours prior to my tee time. If I need anything from the fitness trailer, like taping or stretching, I do that first. I then go to the range and hit just a few shots with each club. Pre-round warm-up is just that. I’m merely trying to loosen up and generally feel good about my game. It is not the time to work on your game. I then go to the putting green and putt both long and short putts; long putts to get a feel for the speed, and shorter ones to groove my putting stroke. Then, it’s off to the first tee!

GFM: What do you eat to fuel your round before playing in a tournament?
PC: It depends on my tee time. If I’m playing in the morning, I like a couple of fried eggs (whites only) and some toast. I usually have some type of protein bar as well. If I’m playing in the afternoon, I always like to have some food with me to eat during the round: bananas, PB&J sandwich, protein bar, those sorts of things.

GFM: How do you mentally prepare for the next hole when you have made a bad shot?
PC: It is tough to leave the past behind you, but I am learning that it is just that … the past … and you can’t change it. I’ve made enough good shots in my career, that I know the next shot has a much greater chance of being a good or great shot than a bad one. So I really don’t dwell on the fact that I hit a not-so-good shot.

GFM: Describe your typical day when you are not playing in a tournament, from workout, to the type of meals you eat.
PC: If it’s a week when I’m not competing, I will try to schedule daily workouts with my trainer (assuming I’m at home). I eat a pretty healthy diet, although I do enjoy a cookie once in a while. Why not?

GFM: What advice would you give to other young women trying to make it big on the Tour?
PC: I would say to get used to making sacrifices. You just don’t “make it big” on the tour without a lot of hard work and dedication. Fitness plays a very important part, and nutrition plays a huge role. Working on your game (not just the driving range; the short game can’t be neglected, either). Practice must be with a purpose, not just putting in hours.

GFM: How important do you think golf-specific fitness is to junior golfers?
PC: It’s never too early to identify and work on those muscles that play a major part in the basic golf swing. I don’t think it’s necessarily appropriate for very young juniors, since their bodies aren’t really developed yet. But by the time you’re 14 or 15, you should be working on fitness related to golf specifically.

GFM: Who would be in your ideal foursome?
PC: Tiger, because he’s my neighbor, and I think I could learn a lot from him. Shaq, because I’d love to see how far he could hit (and in which direction!), and my dad, who introduced me to this great game when I was ten years old.
GFM: What course?
PC: Any course I’ve won on! But probably Isleworth, too, since all four of us live there.

GFM: What is your favorite 19th hole meal?
PC: Wow! If I’m good, it’s some sort of pasta dish, or maybe Japanese cuisine. If I’m not paying too much attention to my nutrition, then there’s nothing better than a huge double cheeseburger with fries. Did I just say that?