Thursday, March 30, 2006

How To Set Up A Golf Fitness Program To Improve Your G...

Professional golfers on the PGA Tour understand the connection
between golf swing mechanics and the body. The most notable
players in the world have regimented golf fitness programs they
adhere religiously too. The benefits of such programs have been
well documented in the media. Press clippings from Tiger Woods,
Vijay Singh, and Phil Mickelson all refer to golf fitness
exercises being a component of their regular practice schedule.


The amateur can learn a lot from the pros. They can learn the
importance the body has in relation to the golf swing, how golf
swing mechanics and the body are intertwined, and improvement in
the golf game requires the implementation of a golf fitness
program.

Where most amateurs get “off-track” with their golf fitness
training is the components and exercises incorporated in such a
program. Golf fitness programs are quite different then
“general” fitness or “weight training” programs. A golf fitness
program is designed to develop the golfer’s body around the golf
swing. In order for this to occur certain parameters and
exercises are required in such a program.

First and foremost the amateur golfer must understand the
connection between the golf swing and body. The golf swing is a
complex series of biomechanical movements execute by the golfer.
In order for the golfer to execute the biomechanics of the golf
swing correctly. It is necessary for the golfer to have certain
physical parameters well developed.

These physical parameters are flexibility, balance, muscular
strength, muscular endurance, and muscular power. High levels
of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power are
required to execute the golf swing correctly. Often times the
amateur golfer is not flexible enough, strong enough, or
powerful enough to execute the golf swing correctly.

This results in the golfer developing compensation patterns in
their golf swing. The result being poor shots and high scores
on the golf course. Bottom line is a physical foundation of
flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power is
required to develop an efficient golf swing. If the amateur
golfer is lacking in anyone of these categories the foundation
upon which the golf swing is being built will be insufficient.

Once the amateur golfer understands the connection between the
golf swing and the body it is necessary to implement a golf
fitness program, A golf fitness program is different than
“traditional” training programs in such this type of program
develops the body around the golf swing.

A golf fitness program trains the body to the positions,
movements, and requirements of the golf swing. A golf fitness
program is not concern about “beach muscles” or how one looks
in the mirror. Rather a golf fitness program has the primary
goal of improving the scores on the golf course and play of the
golfer.

This type of improvement is a result of using exercise to
develop the physical parameters of the body relative to the
golf swing. A golf fitness program will include flexibility
exercises, balance drills, muscular strength exercise,
endurance training modalities, and power drills. Exercises from
all of these categories are included in a comprehensive golf
fitness program.

Understand the exercises and drills within each of these
categories are not necessarily traditional type of exercises.
For example, flexibility exercises for golf are less concerned
about touching your toes, and more concerned about completing a
full shoulder turn. Flexibility exercises for golf are geared
towards developing the flexibility within your body to execute
the components of the golf swing correctly.

The same can be said about every other category of exercise and
drill incorporated in a golf fitness program. The balance drills
in a golf fitness program are designed to improve the golfer’s
balance capacities relative to the golf swing. Power exercises
in a golf fitness program are designed to improve clubhead
speed. Where as power drills in other programs may be geared
towards improving how fast you run.

Once the amateur golfer understands the connection between the
golf swing and body, the elements of the body needing
development relative to the golf swing, and the components of a
golf fitness program. The final component of understanding is
golf fitness training order.

Often times the amateur golfer desires more power (i.e.
clubhead speed) in their golf swing. As a result they perform
only exercises to enhance the power components within their
body. What the amateur golfer fails to realize is developing
golf strength, endurance, or power is useless if they do not
have the flexibility or balance capacities to execute the golf
swing. Developing the body for the golf swing requires the
amateur golfer to follow a specific order relative to their
training programs.

It is necessary for the amateur golfer to first develop their
flexibility for the golf swing. Secondly proceed to increasing
their balance capacities in relation to the golf swing.
Continue the process with developing strength and endurance for
the golf swing. Completing the process with power drills to
enhance clubhead speed. This guarantees the effort placed
within a golf fitness program will enhance the golfer’s swing.
It becomes a simple process once the golfer is educated on the
relationship between the golf swing and the body. The benefits
a golf fitness program has upon the golfer’s swing, and how to
implement golf fitness exercises correctly.

Sean Cochran


About The Author: Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized
golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA
Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil
Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction
and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur
golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact
Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.
 

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