Ahmad Skaik makes major swing changes ahead of UAE Challenge Tour double header

Emirati golfer Ahmad Skaik has revealed he has undergone some major swing changes that he hopes to put into play at the Challenge Tour double header in Abu Dhabi next month.

The UAE's No.1 amateur golfer will feature in both the UAE Challenge and Abu Dhabi Challenge for the second successive year, with the Emirates Golf Federation receiving a number of invites into both events as part of their long-term partnership with the DP World Tour.

Since finishing his studies at the end of 2022, Skaik’s full focus has been on golf with his long-term goal of turning professional still at the forefront of his mind.

In a bid to reach that end goal, he has decided to amend his swing - a major move for any golfer.

“I’ve been training a lot, both on the course and in the gym,” said Skaik when I asked him what he had been working on in the last few months.

“I want to get my body stronger and a bit bigger to avoid injuries and also to help me with my golf, so I’ve been working very hard with that.

“There’s also been some big swing changes that I’ve always wanted to do but always delayed because of a busy tournament schedule. I spoke to my coach and we decided we would sacrifice a season, not that that I think it will take that long, and I’ve started to some really good results.

“I always delayed these swing changes because I was focused on scoring and what I was doing in the present moment, but now I need to think of the future, stop wasting time and make these changes to help me out in the long run.

“Hopefully I can put the changes into play very soon.”

Skaik had originally planned on turning professional after the 2021 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Dubai Creek Resort, where he became just the second Emirati to make the cut.

But shortly after making headlines once again by firing the lowest round by an Emirati at the 2021 Aviv Championship, he injured a disc in lower back while deadlifting.

That kept him out of action for almost a year, with last year’s Challenge Tour events his first competitive starts after returning from the injury.

Skaik may have missed the cut in both events, but 2023 was a fruitful one.

The UAE National Team captain travelled across the world to compete in other Challenge Tour tournaments thanks to the DP World Tour and EGF partnership.

Now a seasoned world traveller, he's hoping to use what he's learned from his globetrotting escapades at next month's double-header.

“I learned a lot, not particularly at those two events in the UAE because they were the first two events after a year off,” he said.

“I didn’t have any expectations then as I didn’t know where my game was at. But I’ve played a few Challenge Tour events outside of the country as well as a few other events and I learned from every single one.

“It’s been a tough season coming back, but sometimes you have to be patient and trust the process – when it works, it will work really well.

“I always try to be positive, which can be tough to always be as we are humans. Be patient, trust the process and trust that god has good plans ahead always.”

While his goal of turning pro may have taking a fair beating over the last few years due to injury, Skaik remains as determined as ever to reach that end goal, whether it be this year or further along the line.

“I’m not sure when exactly,” he said when asked when he plans to turn pro.

“It could be the end of the season, could be the year after, but for sure I want to turn pro.

“That’s the career I chose, I want to stick to it.”