Legendary golfer Yuri不動 (Fudo) has maintained a rigorous practice schedule, even as she approaches her 50th birthday in October 2026. The athlete, who has secured 50 wins on the domestic Japanese women’s tour, continues to actively compete and shares insights into her training regimen.
Unlike many modern athletes who focus heavily on swing analysis and video review,不動 has never undergone swing modifications. She emphasizes a natural, intuitive approach to the game, prioritizing a smooth body motion and a feeling of comfort rather than meticulous technical adjustments. “I’ve never had my swing remodeled,” she stated.
不動’s practice sessions are heavily weighted towards short-game development. More than half of her shot practice is dedicated to approaches within 20 to 50 yards, utilizing a 56-degree sand wedge. She routinely hits approximately 200 balls with this club, recognizing its crucial role in her overall game. This focused approach stems from her reliance on the sand wedge during competition, where it is her primary choice for most approach shots. Maintaining proficiency in this area, she believes, is key to consistent performance.
Beyond short-game practice,不動 dedicates around 20 shots to driver practice, with the remaining 20 to 30 shots distributed among other irons and fairway woods. This balanced approach reflects her emphasis on feel and natural movement. She avoids excessive scrutiny of her technique, opting instead to focus on the overall fluidity of her body motion.
In May 2024,不動 secured the inaugural title at the Japan Women’s Senior Open, defeating鬼澤信子 (Onizawa Nobuko) by four strokes with a total score of 9-under par. The tournament was played under challenging conditions, with intermittent rain and a hard green layout. The victory underscored her ability to perform under pressure and adapt to varying course conditions. This win is particularly notable as it demonstrates the continued competitiveness of seasoned athletes in the senior circuit.
不動 attributes her success, in part, to the challenging course conditions at the national open, which mirrored those found on the regular tour. She noted that the firm greens favored her experience playing in more demanding environments. “The greens were hard, like the regular tour’s difficult conditions, which worked to my advantage,” she explained. “There were times when I struggled with putting, but this time the greens suited my game, and it was very rewarding to be able to capitalize on the opportunities in the national open as I get older.”
