Senior Jessica Carafiello graduates after this season and is looking to turn pro. This is no small challenge and she is not taking it lightly. FAU has an airport rather than a golf course, so I had to conduct our interview over the phone right as she got off the range finishing her daily practice session with trainer Tom Vuicich. Right now, Jessica and Vuicich are working on her grip and her swing pass – being sure to keep the club face square instead of closing it at ball contact. This will allow her to control her shots more. “Consistency” is the word that she says is used most often during range sessions. The girls finished seventh in their first tournament of the spring season. While fall season was packed with top 10 finishes by Jessica, she is intent on taking home a tournament championship before the end of the year. I was quite impressed with Jessica’s dedication and the intense reflection on her game that was evident in our discussion. Our question-answer session follows.
Pump: You came to FAU as a softball player, but now are a top contributor on the golf team. Talk about the difference between the two competitions?Jessica: Composure is the number one difference. Obviously, softball is more physical but you don’t need more ability. Softball is more about competing against someone else. In golf, you can’t control anything anyone else does – it’s all mental. In golf, you have to plan ahead, where to hit to set up the next shot. Walking down the 18th with a one stroke lead, in the running, or if you’ve got to make a cut, it’s all about composure.Pump: What do you do to keep mental control?Jessica: It’s kind of cliche, but I think it’s all about setting small goals. Not setting a goal like “I’m going to shoot a 74”. But “I’m going to make sure to hit all fairways so I have opportunities to get close to the pin”. And making the goal positive. Like not saying, “I’m not going to 3-putt”. But “I’m going to knock in as many 6-foot putts as possible”. I keep an eye on the small picture rather than the big picture.Pump: Talk about what it takes to make a great sand shot?Jessica: Well, it all depends. From where? On the fairway or near the green? With a big lip?Pump: Near the green with a big lip?Jessica: Well, I open my stance and open the club face. I aim left of the flag so the ball will get up in the air. I like to put my weight on my left foot. I take a V-shape swing – up and down rather than wide. That helps it pop up and land softly. I’m most comfortable with a 58 degree wedge. But I might go with another degree wedge or move to a pitching wedge if the ball needs to roll to the flag.Pump: Michelle Wei is talking about competing on the men’s tour as well as the LPGA. Do you think that’s a legitimate idea?Jessica: No, I don’t think it’s legitimate. Men and women have completely different games. I’m not saying that she can’t play from the back tees, I do all the time. But it’s evident that the men’s course is too long. I’m not judging in terms of overall ability, but you can’t score well when you’re hitting 3-woods into every green. You need to hit irons. I think a more realistic goal would to be number one on the LPGA first.Pump: What’s your favorite iron?Jessica: 7-iron. 150-yards.Pump: Ever had a hole-in-one?Jessica: Yes, on the UF course with my dad.Pump: Did you buy him a drink?Jessica: Yes, a coke. And then he bought me lunch.Pump: Tiger’s all about the red Nikes. Do you have a power color?Jessica: I like black. Black shoes. Black shirt with maybe pin stripes.Pump: Favorite ice cream flavor?Jessica: Chocolate-chip cookie dough. I go to the Coldstone.
Alright, stay tuned to hear of Jessica’s accomplishments. She is committed to learning something new, whether it’s advice on her game or just a tip on etiquette, with each competition and each new opponent she encounters on her way to the qualifying tournament for the LPGA.
