Ash Barty latest: Golf experts say tennis star has the swing to make it on the professional circuit

Scott Draper turned his back on a successful tennis career for professional golf – now he’s urging Ash Barty to do the same. And top coaches agree. See her swing for yourself.

Scott Draper turned his back on a successful tennis career to try his hand at professional golf. Did a fair job of it, too. Now he has urged Ash Barty to walk the same path if she has a genuine passion for golf and wants to challenge herself in another sport.

“When people are making a decision to do something that is perhaps out of their comfort zone or a little bit different ... I just think life and people tend to go, you shouldn’t do that or can’t do that,” Draper said.

“I experienced that as well. I wasn’t Ash Barty or No.1, that’s for sure. But at the same time it is great when someone has the passion to do something different or they give it a go regardless of what the outcome may be.

“I think that is a really good message to promote and sell. It is unbelievably courageous. What she did ... to be No.1 in the world at 25 years of age, to make a decision like that, that is extraordinary.

“It is completely extraordinary that someone has that courage and clarity.”

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Will Ash Barty join the professional golf circuit?

Draper peaked at No.42 on the ATP Tour before he pulled the plug on tennis to switch sports and play golf as a professional. He made a good fist of it as well.

The highlight was his victory on the Australasian Tour at the NSW PGA, when Draper shot 20 under to take out the title. He also competed in events on the Nationwide Tour, where he lined up against some of the emerging stars of the game on the US second-tier.

Barty is yet to reveal her plans in tennis retirement, but there has been talk that she could try her hand at professional golf given her passion for the sport.

Fuel was added to that fire when it emerged that Barty would headline an exhibition event involving some of the biggest names in world sport in America in June.

The likes of boxer Canelo Alvarez, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Tottenham striker Harry Kane will play in the Icon Series alongside Barty, whose fiance Garry Kissick is a PGA trainee professional.

News Corp asked some of the country’s most respected golf coaches to cast their eye over video of Barty’s swing and analyse whether she had the potential to join the professional circuit.

They were in agreement that she had the fundamentals to give the pro ranks a shake.

“Ash has such a great base to build on with her golf swing,” former pro-turned-coach Matt Guyatt said.

“Her set up is relaxed and in great posture leading to a fantastic takeaway. She hits some awesome technical positions on the way to the top of her swing whilst critically maintaining her posture throughout.

“Ash gets a little stuck coming back to the ball through the impact zone. In saying that, I would be so excited to work with Ash as a student if she came through the door, such a fantastic product to start with and the only way is up for Ash if she applies herself at even 10 per cent of her tennis commitment.”

Scott Draper in action in 2007.

Gary Barter, coach of Australian star Matt Jones, added: “Her set-up is perfect. She has great dynamics already, which is really important for distance.

“As far as competing against the best lady PGA pros in the future she would have to have multiple skills.

“The positive is her awesome athletic motion, technique and mental side to compete.

“But the bottom line is, if she is totally dedicated I would back Ash in to do it at professional level if she has a short game.”

Draper, a leadership consultant who also works with Tennis Australia in high performance, concedes Barty may be held back by her lack of DNA in the sport.

However, he believes she would compensate for that with her work ethic and mental strength,

“People talk about being talented and what not,” Draper said.

“The greatest talent is work ethic. If you put time in and enjoy it, it is not work. I couldn’t wait to get to the course and put time in.

“For me, I spent my entire upbringing and adolescence playing tennis. What I found was I was trying to make up time for things I never got the opportunity to learn.

“Ash has two decades of experience dealing with pressure, dealing with expectation, dealing with her own emotions, dealing with how to problem solve and execute under pressure.

“When you are mentally strong like Ash is ... if she chose to have a go, she would be highly likely to be successful because of her background.”