Improving Your Golf Game Beyond The Fairway!

As Spring blossoms around us thoughts shift to fresh-air and greenery. Optimistic images of an outdoor lifestyle begin resonate.

You can even begin to imagine the sweet sound of striking a ball straight and laying up onto the centre of the fairway….

Its legend is its humbling quality, and, for the ultimate test in patience and resolve within. This is the reality of one’s ever-evolving, golf game! However, there is cause for hope. A mere small investment of time, away from the course can render that much needed boon to ready and fine tune your game.

Firstly, to improve, focus needs to be on critical components like back care, injury prevention, improving distance to your ball, flexibility to your backswing, hand-eye co-ordination and overall core strength. No matter what level of experience you are, the benefits of this kind of undertaking are numerous.

Areas That Benefit From Golf-Fitness:

• Preventing Injury
• Back Care
• Efficient Swing
• Body Control & Balance
• Striking Power and Distance To Your Balll
• Flexibility
• Increased Range of Motion
• Core Strength
• Mental Training

There are simple steps we can take, to vastly improve our stroke and score. Adopting a golf-minded fitness routine can greatly affect your skills and overall game. There are three areas in particular that provide an edge. Specifically, introducing a blend of, 1. Better Flexibility, 2. Golf-like movements, and, 3. Strengthening foundation areas of the body including your core will provide the right balance to achieve your potential.

Flexibility:

A routine of golf stretching exercise, performed regularly will help to promote relaxation in the muscles. This has the added benefit of increasing body awareness, which is critical for maintaining a consistent swing pattern. The more a muscle group can relax, the more forcefully its opposing muscles group can contract. Coupled with a suitable strength training program, stretching exercises will help to increase you power with every club.

Golf-Like Movement-Stroke Isolation:

A series of golf-like movements that mimic the motions of your stroke will serve to improve your game. Practicing the movements are key. A golf swing places both a torque-action and load on the back when in motion leaving the player at risk to the area around the spine,

Foundation-Core:

Focusing on foundation and stabilizing muscle groups. More specifically, performing exercises that work the same primary muscle group’s. Engage your “Core” area In particular, when the club head is being swung, there is a lot of upper body rotation (trunk) involved. Major core muscles (like abdominals, erector spinae, hip flexors and glutes) come into play.

Three basic movements anyone can do at home or work:

1. WOODCHOP

Begin with your feet shoulder width apart, with your hands placed above the head holding any small implement (approx 2 lbs). Slowly come down into squat position, bringing hands across your body. Then slowly return the squat position. Imagine that you are throwing something over your shoulder with your hands, ensuring your gaze follows your hands. Repeat on other side. Perform twelve times.

2. V-SIT & TWIST

Starting in a seated position with your arms extended, keep your back straight lifting your feet off the floor, into v-like position. Hold this position and balance. Keeping your body steady, twist to one side, and then to the other and repeat. Perform twelve times.

3. LUNGE  WITH ROTATION

Begin with your feet together and with any small implement extended out chest height. Raise your right foot and lunge forward to land softly ensuring right knee at 90 degree flexion. Slowly twist to the left, return to centre, then slowly twist to right. Bring your left foot in to meet right. Repeat this,then execute using opposite leg.

If you experience pain or discomfort executing any of these movements please consult a physician.

We could all benefit through better awareness “off” the golf course, no matter what level your game from novice beginner all the way up to professional. Try these simple steps to Improve your game and realize your golf potential!

By Barry H. Samuel and Dan Nisker. Strength & Conditioning Coaches. Barry and Dan offer In-Home Health & Fitness. You can reach Barry at  416.849.4765 or info@insideoutstudio.ca