Fitness for Your Game

November 2006 - Posts

• How To Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

  By Jeff Troesch Working with golfers from the junior ranks up through the PGA and LPGA tours has taught me a lot about the game of golf. One of the things that I now know to be true about this game is that there are very few times when a golfer is completely comfortable with his game or with the circumstances in which he finds himself in a tournament situation. There is constant attention paid to one's swing not feeling right, the putter being a little bit off, or the conditions of the course being less than favorable. If a player hits it well in a practice round there is the concern that they peaked too early, and if they hit it poorly there is a concern that they will not hit it well the next day. When leading an event there is the discomfort of everyone chasing, and if behind in an event there's the discomfort of having to chase. The best players in the world know that there is no such thing as an extended period of time when one is comfortable with every element of one's golf situation. The best players accept that they will be uncomfortable with something (sometimes several things!) and they get on with the business of playing the game with what they've got. Rather than dwelling on those things about which they're uncomfortable, the emphasis is placed on the task at hand and the attention is narrowed to focus on those things that are relevant in that moment. Eventually, for many players, they simply feel the fear and "do it" anyway, rather than waiting for that rare time when they get "comfortable". There are 18 holes in a round, a maximum of 14 clubs in the bag, you may not strike another player's ball...these are all truths about the game. As a junior golfer, the sooner you learn to accept that being "uncomfortable" is another truth about the game and pay attention to other things, the more successful you will be at an earlier age! Posted Nov 24 2006, 01:53 PM by Jeff Troesch with no comments Filed under: Mental Game, Jeff Troesch

• Flexibility Training for Golfers

  By Susan Hill Is it difficult to rotate your body through the full range of motion in your golf swing? Do you stop short on your back swing? Lack of flexibility can adversely affect not only your golf game, but your health as well. Different muscles are called upon at different points in the golf swing. If you are not flexible you are more prone to injuries. Your body will try to overcompensate by engaging other joints and muscles that are not ready for the stress and strain of the movement. Many golfers lack flexibility in the rotation of their spine and hips during their golf swing. They may overcompensate with their upper bodies as they become 'all arms' in their swing. If your golf pro has ever indicated to you that you are not using your mid section, this may be what they are referring to. What flexibility exercises should you add to your fitness program? Before you start a flexibility program it is imperative to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses with regards to your current range of motion. Most athletic trainers, sports conditioning specialists, golf fitness trainers and physical therapists can take you through a battery of flexibility tests. They are trained to properly identify areas of restriction and potential for improvement. The next step is to create your own stretching program that is geared towards your personal situation. It may mean that you spend more time stretching your right rotator cuff muscles as opposed to your left or spending more total time on your hips or hamstrings. Depending on your level of restrictions, you may need to stretch once a day, twice a day or twice a week. Here's a great test to determine the range of motion in your shoulders. Can you touch your hands together from around your back? If not, you may have difficulty with achieving a consistent backswing position. Posted Nov 17 2006, 01:50 PM by Susan Hill with no comments Filed under: Susan Hill, Flexibility, Stretching, Fitness

• Shoulder Stability For a Powerful Golf Swing

  By Susan Hill Shoulder stability is essential to packing a powerful golf swing. Without stability, flexibility and strength in your shoulders your swing is not going to be as efficient or effective as it could be. In fact, you can wind up with shoulder injuries that not only hurt your swing, but literally hurt your shoulders. There are a number of things that can contribute to rotator cuff (the muscles in your shoulders that allow for circular motion) problems, but Brian Schiff, a licensed physical therapist specializing in sports medicine, sees three main contributors: poor posture, flexibility issues, and a decreased level of muscular strength and endurance. "People just aren't conditioned to do the things that we want to go out and do on a regular basis," Brian says. "And, with a sport like golf, it's such a repetitive action. A person that doesn't do any physical activity, and then goes out and plays a few rounds in the spring, they're very vulnerable to certain flare-ups and injuries." While this scenario may apply to more recreational golfers, what about competitive golfers and the repetitive stress placed on their shoulders week after week of ongoing play? You can combat this issue by incorporating shoulder exercises into your fitness routine. By working your shoulders off the course, they will provide you with the stability and flexibility you need to improve your swing. One exercise you can try to improve your shoulder stability is to lie on the floor on your stomach. Pull your shoulder blades back and extend your arms to the side with your thumbs pointing up and towards the ceiling. Continue retracting (pulling back) your shoulder blades until your upper body is lifted up and a "T" is formed with your extended arms. Perform this shoulder lift several times. A similar exercise to improve shoulder stability can be performed with a Swiss ball. Lie facedown over the top of the ball with your abs in the middle of the ball. Your chest should be off the ball and your feet are on the toes. Lift your arms above your head with your hands clinched and thumbs up. Extend your arms up and out as far as you can comfortably (forming a "Y" at the top). Perform this exercise several times. These shoulder exercises will improve stability and, in turn, your swing. Posted Nov 03 2006, 01:49 PM by Susan Hill with no comments Filed under: Susan Hill, Fitness, Powerful Golf Swing