As professional golf's most prolific winner, Kathy Whitworth knows a thing or two about the swing and how proper equipment complements it.

"No two people swing alike," said Kathy, an LPGA Hall of Famer and champion in 88 LPGA tournaments during her storied career. "Even the best golfers have their own unique swings and their own way of getting into proper position."

Indeed, there are no absolutes in golf. Golf is an individual game and players adopt playing styles and swings based on their size, strength and degree of athleticism. Kathy has seen them all since hitting the road as a golfer at the tender age of 16. Retired now as an active LPGA competitor, Kathy today is spokeswoman for Square Two Golf. She still travels the country to teach golf and play in exhibitions and charity events.

"In my years of golf, I've learned why certain things happen in the golf swing. If I had to single out one factor that has helped me win tournaments over the years, it is understanding the 'why's' of golf," Kathy said.

Golf became much easier for Kathy when she began to understand why the club has to come into the ball in a certain way, why the grip has to be a certain way and why certain attributes of the club face and shaft affect the player's ability to strike the ball.

"Remember," said Kathy, "golf is a game where any advantage you can gain - whether it's in your swing or in your equipment - will deliver an edge, something that will help you get more enjoyment out of the game."

When offered the opportunity several years ago to join the Square Two Golf team, Kathy first decided to try the clubs before making a commitment. What she found convinced her that Square Two's clubs fit with her philosophy about finding and developing advantages for players.

"That's why I endorse Square Two clubs," Kathy said. "They are engineered to exacting specifications, to allow players of all skill levels to enjoy the game of golf."

She also believes strongly in the value of practice.

"The more balls you hit, the better you get," Kathy said. "It's only natural that if you play often and practice smart, you'll see the results on your scorecard. Golfers should not expect miracles without investing a little time and effort in improving their swings."

"Smart" practice is more than whacking through a bucket of balls. Kathy noted that counsel delivered to her by famed golf teacher Harvey Penick many years ago really resonated.

"On the practice range, it just makes more sense to take time between each shot and think about how you want to put the club face on the ball. Simply wailing away until the bucket is empty rarely delivers the kind of advantage good players seek."

Kathy also is a strong advocate for the value of lessons for all golfers - male and female, young and old, scratch to high handicappers.

"There are many excellent teachers out there at the clubs around the United States, and the PGA and LPGA work hard to equip these teachers with the knowledge and skills that will prove useful to their golf students," Kathy said.

She certainly should know. Her own swing has been described as one of the purest in the game and she owns 88 professional tour first place trophies as testimony to her skill and knowledge.

from Ladies Golf Journey - Jul/Aug 2003