Andrea Lee was a golfer at Stanford University before going on to play professionally for Team USA. It's been a while since she's been in the recruiting process, but she has some great advice for athletes who are in the thick of it. Here are her best tips to help golfers and non-golfers alike.

What is the best advice that Coach Dobashi has given you?

I can't pinpoint one particular piece of advice that Coach Dobashi has given me, but she was always upbeat and positive during every round. When I was frustrated on the course or got down on myself, she'd be the one to tell me that there was a lot of golf left to play and to move forward. There's nothing you can do about the shot you just hit, but you can make the best out of the next one. 

When and how did you reach out to the coach?

The recruiting process is a bit blurry now, but was definitely a super exciting time for me. I reached out to Coach Walker during my freshman year in high school over the phone, telling her that I was interested in playing golf for Stanford and hoped to visit campus for an unofficial visit. Coach had watched me compete in a few junior tournaments prior, which is how I knew that she was interested in me as well.

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

What did Stanford golf coaches look at when you were being recruited?

A: While I was being recruited, the coaches looked at mainly the junior rankings including Polo AJGA and Golfweek rankings. It was really helpful to compete in bigger tournaments such as AJGA Invitationals and USGA events including the U.S Girl's and U.S. Women's Amateur Championships to really put my name out there. Many college coaches came out to watch these tournaments in person to see our games up close. There's no doubt that the scores and results mattered, but coaches also want to see how a player handles him/herself on the course, even in the toughest of situations. 

As a Team USA golfer, it is essential that you stay fit. What is one piece of advice that can you give to a golf athlete as far as nutrition is concerned?

My best piece of advice regarding nutrition would be to just have a good balanced diet–too much of anything isn't good in my opinion. Eating on the golf course is key to making sure you have enough energy to last all eighteen holes. I always make sure to eat something after nine holes, even if I'm not hungry. I find that nuts and bananas make a great snack.

Related: Rate Stanford University

Golf is a mental sport–what advice can you offer golf athletes when they miss a short putt, or they hit a bad shot? 

Anyone can get frustrated and upset after a bad shot or missed putt, but instead of dwelling on what you can't control, you have to focus on what you can do after the fact. “Why did that shot go right?” or “Did I not read the putt correctly?” are what you should be asking yourself instead of having a negative attitude and getting down. There are (usually) 72 holes of golf to be played, so after a bad hole I like to think that there's plenty of time to get that shot back. 

What makes a great Stanford golfer?

Putting in the hard work and dedication to improve and become an even better player. I found that it's crucial to know what parts of the game I need to work on, and to constantly push myself to get out of my comfort zone.

I've been able to mature and grow as both a player and person at Stanford, and I don't think I would've been mentally prepared for the tour had I not gone to college. 

-Andrea Lee

What makes a great team player?

Golf is such an individual sport, so being a part of a team was definitely a different experience. I enjoyed every second of it, and was able to build such a strong support system through my coaches and teammates. You don't have to be best friends with every single individual, but there has to be a mutual feeling of respect all around. I was fortunate enough to build some of my closest friendships while on the team, which made the entire experience incredibly special. I think just being there for one another and pushing each other to become better players encompass what it means to be a great teammate.

Can you advise the upcoming college freshman on how to focus throughout a competition?

As a freshman, I loved traveling and competing in college tournaments with my teammates and representing my university. The nerves and focus will undoubtedly be there in competition because you want to perform and do well. You have to think of it like it's just any other tournament and trust in your own game. Have confidence, but most importantly, have fun. 

What are the 3 key ingredients that a golfer must have to be at the top of their game?

I would say you have to putt well, which means making most of the putts within 10-15 feet. If you can make every putt within six feet, you're having a great week. Shortgame is also very important, because if you miss a few approach shots here and there, getting up and down really helps shave those strokes off your score. I would say the third is driving the ball in the fairway. It really helps to put the ball in the short grass to give you the best chance at having looks for birdie. 

Which is more important: skill and technique, or mental toughness?

I don't think one is really that much more important than the other, but I do believe that the mental side of golf outweighs the technical. You must have confidence, a positive attitude, and the drive to win to succeed. You have to have the ability to quickly move on after a bad shot and not dwell on the past shot or score. Even if you have all the skill in the world, I don't believe it's enough to win if the positivity and patience aren't there. Skill and technique are definitely crucial as well to stay consistent, and to give you the trust in your game which also helps with the mental side. I think they go hand in hand with each other–to be a great golfer in my opinion, you must have both. 

What was your favorite part of playing for Stanford, and how did your experience prepare you for Team USA?

My favorite part about playing for Stanford was being on a team with such amazing individuals from around the world. I've made lifelong friendships, had the opportunity to play for an incredible university, and traveled/competed against the best players in the country. The memories I've made are truly priceless and it's cliche when I say that these were the best four years of my life, but it's true. I feel that competing at the collegiate level has really prepared me for my career as a professional golfer. I've been able to mature and grow as both a player and person at Stanford, and I don't think I would've been mentally prepared for the tour had I not gone to college. 

Image Credit: Twitter

Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Want to set up an interview with us? Email us at [email protected]

* Originally published on September 29, 2022, by Claire O'Neil