Getting fundamentals right is key to player's success says Meath-based coach
Shane O'Grady, the golf professional at Black Bush Golf Club, says one of the chief reasons for Leona Maguire's success is down to the fact she got the fundamentals of her game right at various stages of her career; an approach that has helped turn her into one of the most successful women golfers in the world.
Recently Maguire, who is from Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, achieved a notable piece of golfing history when she become the first Irish golfer to be selected for the Solheim Cup after she was given a wild card by European captain Catriona Murphy.
Maguire has worked with O'Grady for years at Black Bush now finds herself among the world's elite in the Solheim Cup, with the tournament (at least the playing side) taking place from Saturday, 4th September to Monday, 6th September.
"When it comes to golf you take every level as it comes, deal with that, it's the same as any sport. A golfer is no different than any young player kicking football or playing camogie or hockey," O'Grady told the Meath Chronicle.
"You tackle every level as it come. You try to climb the ladder in that way. If you are fortunate enough and talented enough then you keep climbing the ladder. I don't think you can set out immediately to become a world beater in any sport. Keep it in the moment, enjoy what you are doing at every level you are at.
"If you are fortunate enough to be good at something and you learn the fundamental skills it makes it easier to keep climbing. If you don't have the basic skills from day one you will get unstuck somewhere. So get the basics right would be my advice."
O'Grady, who is originally from Ballinasloe, Co Galway is in his 25th year as the pro at Black Bush GC, Dunshaughlin.
He has coached Leona ever since she and her sister Lisa were brought to the Meath golf club by their parents Declan and Bread to learn the fundamentals of the game over 15 years ago now. While Leona has made her way in the sport in a very high-profile way Lisa has also carved out a career in the game. She work's for Niall Horan's Modest Golf Management Company.
"The Maguires have been with me since they were 10-and-a-half. When they arrived they were 15 handicap or around that," explained O'Grady.
Since then the 26-year-old Leona has become one of the top golfers in the world. She was ranked number one in the world in the Women's World Amateur Golf between May 2015 and May 2016 and again from August 2016 until February 2018.
She had an impressive rookie LPGA Tour season in 2020 and followed with another strong campaign in 2021. The 26-year-old has six registered six top ten finishes so far this year, including two runners-up finishes.
"I still coach Leona to this day. I would be going to the Solheim but for restrictions. I go to America and elsewhere to different tournaments with her.
"There are various members of any backroom team that supports a world athlete like Leona. She has, for example, a strength and conditioning coach. Others too advice her. I focus on her golf technique, working on her putting, her swing, dealing with bunkers, keeping her swing in check constantly."
O'Grady added that Leona's mental strength is one of her biggest assets - reinforcing Arnold Palmer's view that the most important part of golf is "the six inches between your ears." That, along with her willingness to work extremely hard, has helped her build a formidable career.
"It has been great to see her go through the different levels and now it's the pinnacle of ladies golf to achieve selection for the Solheim. It has been really enjoyable watching it," O'Grady added.