 Golf Digest Singapore: Welcome to Singapore Natalie!
Natalie Gulbis: Thank you!
GDS: Last year, you made the cut for nearly all the events that you entered. Your best finish was T7 at the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill. Give us your assessment for 2009
NG: I had a very consistent year in 2009 but I didn’t win anything. This year, I hope to improve on that by getting more wins and more top-5 finishes.
GDS: Qualifying for the team and winning the Solheim Cup must have been quite special. Tell us about your experience there.
NG: For being on the team was really amazing. Usually golf is an individual sport so when we get to play as a team and working together with the girls, it feels much better.
GDS: The celebrations must have been quite wild!
NG: Yes! We’re still celebrating now.
GDS: You finished T-14 in Thailand. How is your form at the moment?
NG: I’m not too happy with my current form. I struggled a bit last week but it’s the first event of the year and it’s nice to get that one under your belt. I’m really excited to play for this week.
GDS: What aspect of your game are you working on at the moment?
NG: I’m working on my iron play. I drove it good last week, I putted really well, but I have new irons and I need to work on that a little bit more.
GDS: What are your impressions of Singapore?
NG: I love Singapore. This is my favourite country to visit outside America. There’s so much to see and to do and I really like the culture. I always enjoy my time here.
GDS: Any particular hole at the Garden course that left an impression on you?
NG: The 18th. It’s a really tough hole to birdie, no in fact, it’s a tough hole to par. That’s one hole that is tough off the tee and tough onto the greens.
GDS: Tell us about the changes in your equipment
NG: Because of the new v-groove rule, I am using the new R9 irons, I have the new R9 460 driver and new TaylorMade Penta golf balls. So, there are plenty of changes in my equipment.
GDS: How are you adapting to the changes?
NG: TaylorMade makes it really easy. I come to TaylorMade and they set it up completely. I hit shots that first day, they make some tweaks and within a couple of hours my equipment is set. It’s great being with the best equipment company in the world. They make it very easy for the players. 
GDS: What are your thoughts on the new v groove rule?
NG: It’s not too bad. I didn’t notice a big difference while playing last week. You have to be a bit careful but at this level, I didn’t find it too difficult to adapt.
GDS: You have a long relationship with adidas. Is it something about them that made you endorse their products?
NG: They are the best. It’s fun being with adidas and TaylorMade. They always have the best products, the apparel is wonderful and it’s great being associated with them. It has always been my dream to be sponsored by adidas. Now I’m sitting here and I have my own shoe line! So it’s a dream come true to be with them.
GDS: Tell us about your Signature Natalie shoes
NG: adidas came to me in 2008 and asked me if I want to do a line of signature shoes. I said ‘of course’ and they let me design the shoe. Every season, I always kept a couple of my favourite shoe designs from adidas and adidas golf. The designs are incorporated with adidas performance technology and that resulted in the Signature Natalie line of shoes.
GDS: You were in an episode of CSI. Prior to that, you had your own reality show, went on The Apprentice and The Price is Right. Any further plans for television or movies?
NG: I have no plans for movies, although I would love to be involved in a golf movie. But for TV shows, yes and there’ll be more TV stuff coming up. I love doing TV shows!
GDS: Lastly, it’s the start of the new season. What are your specific targets for 2010?
NG: Win more individual titles. I won 3 team titles last year and this year, I would love to win individual titles.
GDS: Thank you Natalie! All the best in the HSBC Women’s Champion tournament.
NG: Thank you!
This interview was made possible by TaylorMade-adidas
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