Living in Orlando, Fla., long-hitting Anne van Dam is continuing to perfect her game while the LPGA Tour is on hold. Van Dam joined Sirius XM PGA TOUR Radio’s A New Breed of Golf with Michael Breed and talked about what she’s been up to during the off weeks. The 24-year-old said she misses her family back in the Netherlands but has kept herself busy at her home course.
“I try to have a little bit of a practice schedule. I try to practice at least 2-3 hours,” said van Dam, who disclosed that she uses everything from her Trackman to headcovers on the range to help with key skills like her wedge shots. “It’s important for me to write down what I want to do, otherwise you’ll be there all day and not really accomplish anything. I try to keep it very specific what I work on.”
As she plans out her schedule, van Dam said she fits in practice with few other LPGA Tour players at her club during the week. She said it’s great to see some of her friends and work to maintain a competitive edge, all while having fun.
“I play every week with Lydia Ko and Lindy Duncan. We try to play every Tuesday and Saturday, just to get together and play a stroke-play round, play for some money and try to keep each other sharp,” said van Dam.
Through the three events she’s played in 2020 van Dam has yet to miss a cut, with her highest finish a T20 at the ISPS Handa Vic Open. She finished last season on top in Tour average driving distance (283.843 yards), and so far, is third on this year’s standings at 287.625. With length not a problem, van Dam said it’s the short game she’s been working to improve before she’s back on Tour.
“I think overall, over three events, I’ve played quite steady. Didn’t make many mistakes or any double bogeys or anything like that. It’s been really steady – I’ve been giving myself a lot of chances,” said van Dam. “I need to work on 100 yards and in. That’s what I’ve been doing the last few weeks here in Orlando, putting your targets out, large work with wedges, short game putting, and that’s my main room for improvement.”
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