Now that Spring is upon us, it is time to dust off the golf clubs and get ready to hit the fairways. Perhaps one of the biggest changes in the golf world today is the increased emphasis on fitness for golf. To be the absolute best you can be on the course and play your best golf this Spring, you need to implement golf fitness into your practice and training routine. Tour professionals and amateurs alike are practicing regular fitness routines specifically targeted for golf. The results are more powerful and stable golf swings.
Tiger
Woods is the golfer who is widely acknowledged with starting the revolution in
fitness training, although many players before him like Gary Player are known
exercise enthusiasts. While Tiger made it not only acceptable, but preferable,
to train for golf, the majority of players are now taking their fitness levels
very seriously.
The
golf swing is a very complex movement … the demand on the body to swing a club
at upwards of 100 mph and stay in your golf posture is huge. Only if the body
is flexible and strengthened, can one expect consistent and powerful golf
swings. No matter what your current physical condition or your handicap, your
golf game can benefit by regular exercise targeted with the golf swing in mind.
All
too often golfers do not follow a fitness regimen and yet they expect their
game to improve by simply hitting a bucket of balls once a week. They believe
that the game IS the exercise…… No! The exercise comes before the game. The
strength and endurance it gives you is just another tool for the game. This is
especially true the older you get. As we age, we lose muscle mass and
flexibility
As
you begin to develop a regular golf exercise regimen, you need to concentrate
on functional exercise for golf. These exercises include a combination of movements
designed to both strengthen the muscles as well as improve coordination - strength
training and stretching exercises will go the distance to improve your game! Endurance,
stability, strength and flexibility are all improved by exercising for golf:
Endurance
Golfers
tend to ignore the cardiovascular component of golf. However, walkers cover an
approximate walking distance of 4-5 miles each round. Even cart riders put in
their fair share of walking depending on local cart rules, weather conditions and
following errant shots. Poor cardiovascular conditioning and endurance can
certainly have a negative impact on your game.
Stability
The
most important rule in a golf conditioning program is to work and develop core strength.
A strong core allows forces to be transferred effectively from the legs to the
upper body. It also enables the body to withstand those forces without
breakdown. Stabilization comes in many forms for the golfer including postural
stabilization, core stabilization and joint stabilization.
Strength
Strength
comes in many forms with regard to the golf swing. Strong postural chain muscles
(Back, Glutes, Hamstrings) allow the golfer to endure the explosive movements
in the swing. Core strength produces stability and helps to generate power.
Combined muscle strength produces balance and coordination.
Flexibility
Flexibility
is the single most important physical characteristic likely to influence your
golf swing. A tight body creates restricted motion in the swing and can result
in injuries as the body compensates.
Sequence
The
golf swing can be separated into five biomechanical phases that work in
sequence.
•
Set-up
• Backswing
• Transition
• Downswing
• Follow-through
• Backswing
• Transition
• Downswing
• Follow-through
A
true understanding of proper body motion at each sequence will ensure
consistency in your swing. Consistency is created through proper sequencing and
solid mechanics. Training ensures that when you take your golf swing your body
has already been conditioned to perform in the best possible way.
The
best way achieve your potential as a golfer is to participate in an exercise
and fitness program designed to help you get fit for golf. SGT Golf is a golf
specific strength and conditioning program that will improve your strength,
power, flexibility, balance, core stability, body awareness, golf posture and
endurance that will lead to longer drives and better swings.
SGT
Training Workshop Begins April 9th!
Sign
up now at the link below:
http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=6012&stype=-113&sView=day&sTrn=100000287&sDate=4/9/2012
Shaun
Menner CPT, TRX
