Fuka Suga: Her Pre-Match Routines, Go-to Meals, Hobbies, and the Future

Q1. What shot do you remember most vividly?

My final putt at the 2025 Earth Mondamin Cup. I was outside the cut line, but that putt allowed me to qualify for the weekend rounds.

Q2. What are you thinking about on the first tee on the opening day of a tournament?

I step up to the tee thinking, “I hope it flies straight.”

Q3. How do you spend the off-season?

I work on improving my physique. I eat a lot to gain weight, and I do power training, like weight training and running up and down stairs.

Q4. What is your go-to meal before a competition, and what snacks do you eat during tournaments?

My go-to meal is yakiniku, or Japanese-style grilled meat. During tournaments, I try to eat something sweet, such as yokan (sweet bean jelly) or chocolate.

Your concentration begins to decline during an 18-hole round, and eating something sweet is said to help. Eating small amounts regularly helps me maintain my concentration and stamina, so my top priority while playing is making sure that I do not get hungry.

Q5. What do you do before a tournament?

Before leaving for a tournament, I visit a shrine in Miyazaki to pray. There is a “power spot”—a place believed to have special spiritual energy—there, and I feel energized every time I visit.

Q6. How do you deal with nervousness?

First, I make sure to stay hydrated. Also, when I get nervous, my shoulders tend to rise, especially my left shoulder. So, I wear a posture-support belt during morning practice and work on correcting that movement.

Q7. How do you reset after hitting a poor shot?

Mistakes are part of golf, so I try not to be too hard on myself. I tell myself that mistakes happen and there’s no point dwelling on them. During a tournament, I focus on the next shot, even after making a mistake. Once I finish the round, though, I think about what caused the poor shot.

Q8. How do you prepare to take your shot without hesitation?

I decide everything before hitting the ball, including which club to use and where I want to aim, so I can hit the ball confidently without hesitation.

Q9. What do you do differently when playing in the rain?

I bring extra towels and gloves and change them as soon as they get wet.
I’m especially careful not to get the grip too wet. 

Wearing rain gear restricts your range of motion and can make your swing smaller. So, I focus on making a fuller turn than usual and pay close attention to my timing.

Q10. And how do you take care of yourself when competing in hot weather?

I try to prevent heatstroke by staying hydrated and using ice packs. I don’t have a particular preference when it comes to drinks, but I often drink amino-acid-based beverages. During summer tournaments, I also make sure to get enough salt to prevent fatigue from the heat. I often carry pickled plums with me.

I also receive treatment from my trainer every day and make sure to get enough sleep.

Q11. How do you protect yourself from the sun? 

I use a parasol during tournaments and a face cover during practice. I apply sunscreen in the morning and try to reapply it twice during the day—once during the first half and once during the second half. I also stay in the shade to protect myself from the sun.

Q12. What do you do to keep your body warm?

Every night, I make sure to soak properly in a bathtub. I also often have hot soup to warm myself up.

Q13. What is your favorite winter item?

A scarf from a brand called “and per se.”

Q14. What warm-ups do you do before a round?

I jump about five times.

Q15. What kind of practice did you do as a child?

I played golf mainly for fun. As I got stronger, I started practicing how to make proper contact with the ball and hit it farther.

Q16. How did you balance golf with your schoolwork?

After coming home from school, I finished my homework first and then went to practice. I think the best way to balance schoolwork and golf is to clearly separate study time from golf time.

Q17. What is your favorite golf course?

UMK Country Club in Miyazaki Prefecture. I often played there as a member of my high school golf club, so it is a memorable place where I developed my skills.

I also feel comfortable there because it’s in my hometown. Since it’s a regular venue on the professional tour, I’m happy to be able to interact with the many people who support me.

Q18. Are there any courses you find difficult?

At the moment, there aren’t any courses I find particularly difficult.

Q19. What course would you like to play in the future?

Pebble Beach Golf Links, which has also hosted the U.S. Women’s Open. It’s said to be a very challenging course, so I’d like to take it on someday.

Q20. What are your hobbies?

Visiting hot springs.

Q21. What do you do to relax?

I collect capsule toys. I’m amazed at how realistic many of them are, and I also think they’re cute.

I especially like the ume (Japanese plum) and salmon onigiri rings—they’re so cute!

Q22. Do you go to karaoke alone or with friends?

I prefer going with friends. I often go with my golfing friends. I also like to hum songs in the bath. 

Q23. How did you become interested in hip-hop?

I became interested after seeing EXILE’s sharp, energetic dancing on television.

Q24. I heard you collect goshuin stamps from local shrines. How many have you collected?

I bought a goshuin book, and I’ve collected stamps from five shrines so far.

Q25. If you were not a professional golfer, what would you like to do?

The sport I’d like to try is figure skating. As for work, I’d like to work at Starbucks.

Q26. You have two older sisters. What do they mean to you?

Although we’re far apart in age, my sisters know so much and I can talk about anything.

Q27. Has your relationship with your sisters changed since you were children?

Not particularly. Now that I am also an adult, I’d like the three of us to go out for drinks together.

Q28. What memories do you have of your sisters?

We played house together and sometimes I played by myself.

Q29. Would you rather travel 100 years into the past, or 100 years into the future?

I’d rather travel 100 years into the future. I am curious to see what women’s golf in Japan will be like then. There may be many strong players competing successfully around the world.

Q30. What would you like to do in the future besides golf?

I like cars, so I’d like to travel around the world in a large flying car.

Q31. Do you have a request for your fans?

I would be happy if you cheered for me when I make a birdie or hit a nice shot.

Suga’s answers show how much she values preparation and how quickly she refocuses on the next shot after making a mistake. Her thoughtful approach to managing her physical condition—including preparing for rain, heat, and cold, as well as paying attention to her diet, sleep, and warm-up routine—is also impressive.

At the same time, she enjoys visiting hot springs, collecting capsule toys, and singing karaoke with friends and fellow golfers. As the youngest of three sisters, she also cherishes her relationship with her older sisters.

Her dedication to golf and her friendly personality off the course make her especially appealing.

Nomura will continue to support Fuka Suga as she takes on new challenges!