Sports

Follow Through

Golfer Natalie Gulbis chips in as the new co-host of Jimmy Hanlin's golf show.

Apr. 15, 2016 | 4:00 AM

 

LPGA Tour golfer Natalie Gulbis is no stranger to TV cameras. Aside from televised golf tournaments, she's appeared on the 2009 season of Celebrity Apprentice, played herself in a 2010 episode of CSI and starred in her own reality show on the Golf Channel. Now she's pairing up with Northeast Ohio PGA pro Jimmy Hanlin on his 18 Holes show, premiering this month on Fox Sports outlets across the country, including Fox Sports Ohio.

But co-hosting the golf course-hopping tip show doesn't mean Gulbis — who's won $5 million in her 16-year career — is taking a career mulligan anytime soon. "I practice [golf] for six hours and train for an hour every day," says the 33-year-old from her Las Vegas home. "I still want to win tournaments." Gulbis tells us about the new gig, swimsuits and more.

Q. Do you have any favorite Ohio courses?
A.I have played at Highland Meadows for our tour event in Toledo, and Muirfield and Scioto [in Columbus] are great courses. We'll be doing a show at Jimmy's courses — Little Mountain [in Painesville] and Stonewater [in Highland Heights].
 
Q. What was it like being on Celebrity Apprentice?
A. Donald Trump has been a huge supporter of women's golf. I was able to raise a lot of money for Boys and Girls Clubs on the show. In 2011 we opened the Natalie Gulbis Boys and Girls Club in Las Vegas, which I consider my greatest accomplishment.
 
Q. You appeared in the 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, wearing only body paint. How did your fellow tour members react?
A. It's a close-knit group, and they really supported me. It took 13 hours to paint that suit on me but it was really cool. I've been fortunate to do a lot of fun things.
 

Pro Points:

Three ways to up your game from LPGA pro Natalie Gulbis

Swing Tip:"Always have a target. On long swings, pick out an intermediate target a yard or two from where you want to hit the ball."

Equipment Tip: "Go to your local pro and have them dial you in with new adjustable shafts and clubheads."

Mental Tip: "Get mad and get over it. Remember that even the best players in the world get frustrated."

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