Pink Diva is continuing our series of interviews with LPGA and Symetra Tour players in 2012. I am super excited to have the opportunity to interview Tiffany Joh! Tiffany’s rookie year on the LPGA was in 2011, and if your a golf fan you’ve probably watched her very entertaining rap videos “She Beats It” and “Grip It”. Tiffany is super duper funnnnnny – an extremely talented golfer with lots of personality – on and off the course! Her Twitter bio says she’s a “LPGA rookie, turtle-lover, and fine peace-loving citizen. drop beats not bombs”. Hilarious! Tiffany’s best finish on the LPGA in 2011 was 2nd place to Lexi Thompson at the Navistar LPGA Classic.
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Tiffany Joh plays a tee shot during the final round of the 2011 Navistar LPGA Classic (Photo courtesy of Darren Carroll/Getty Images North America)
Tiffany Joh Interview with Pink Diva Golf:
Tell us a little about yourself – hometown, where you live now, college, etc.
I live and have lived in San Diego for pretty much my whole life. I played golf for UCLA and graduated in 2009 in communications.
When did you start playing golf? Did you have any special mentors that have influenced your golf career?
I started a little late for most girls, I think I was around 12. Derek Uyeda was one of my first instructors that I met while part of The First Tee San Diego Chapter, and he probably mentored me the most growing up.
2011 was “officially” your rookie year – in 2012 with your full status on the LPGA what are your goals to be successful on the tour?
I think consistency will be key this year. I was only really legitimately in contention at a tournament once or twice this year, and I would LOVE to put myself in that position again.
Can you tell us about your experience at the 2011 Navistar LPGA Classic. And what you meant when you said the tournament “was a speed bump on the way to history?”
Oh, haha, I meant I was a speed bump on LEXI’s way to history. I mean, I’m really proud of how I played, but I knew from the beginning of the final round it was pretty much going to be the Lexi show, but at least I had good seats! 
Tiffany John acknowledges the gallery at the 18th hole during the final round of the 2011 Navistar LPGA Classic. (Photo courtesy of: Darren Carroll/Getty Images North America)
What LPGA tournament will be your first event in 2012? What are you most looking forward at that tournament?
The Australian Open will be my first LPGA event, but I plan on playing the Aussie Masters the week before. I watched the President’s Cup on TV, so I think I’m looking most forward to curling up into the fetal position and openly weeping.
During the 2012 off-season – what part of your game are you working the hardest on?
Probably physical fitness. I was exhausted by the end of last season so I’m hoping I can get a program going that I can stick to throughout the season and finish as fresh as how I started.
Tiffany practicing at the range and getting ready for the 2012 season! Go Tiffany!
You’re known for your outgoing personality, your passion for golf and now famous for creating golf rap videos –can you tell us something else about “you” that most people don’t know? (Besides your love of Chipotle burritos!).
The people who know me best know that I’m a bit of an introvert. I can do low key hang outs with close friends, but afterwards it takes me a lot of “alone time” to recuperate.
Which LPGA golf pro has been your greatest inspiration and why?
Probably Katie Futcher, I met her earlier this year and while I was worrying about fitting in on tour, Katie always encouraged me to continue to walk to my own beat.
What’s in Tiffany John’s golf bag?
Driver: Ping g20
Irons: Ping s58s
Wedges: Callaway XS
Putter: Rife Antigua
Ball: Titleist ProvX
Footwear: Footjoy
Glove: Footjoy
Grips: Golf Pride & Lamkin
Sponsors: Titleist, Quagmire Golf Apparel
Who would be in your dream foursome?
Bon Qui Qui, Will Ferrell, Justin Timberlake, and Coach Carrie Forsyth (UCLA Women’s Golf Coach)
Drawing from Tiffany Joh.
If you were in charge of “growing the game of golf for women” what would you suggest or change to get more women involved with the game?
I think especially for the younger female population, accessibility. Most girls today who play were introduced to the game by someone in their family, whether it be a parent or close family friend. No one in my family played, but I was fortunate that my dad worked next to a First Tee chapter and I fell in love with the game there. I don’t know about other cities, but in San Diego golf can be pretty costly and I feel that making golf more financially accessible especially to young girls is huge. Get ‘em while they’re young!
If you could impact women’s golf, what would you want your legacy to be?
Ooh good question. I haven’t thought that far into the future yet, I hardly know what I’m doing for dinner tonight haha! For now, I’m doing what I love and having fun. I try not to get too ahead of myself, do what you love and be kind to others and a legacy will sort itself out on its own.
Tiffany’s website – follow her on Twitter, and YouTube!
Tiffany good luck on the LPGA tour in 2012 – we hope to see you in the winner’s circle very soon!
Support the LPGA and the Symetra Tour – attend a LPGA tournament in 2012!
Support your local First Tee Chapter! www.thefirsttee.org
Dance party at the 18th hole! Tiffany Joh & Jenny Suh at the RR Donnelly Founders Cup.
