Golf Information

How Do The Golf Pros Train?


Many of the top touring professionals know that winning on the tour today takes much more than a great game of golf. It means understanding every aspect of their physical and mental being and what factors influence their performance.

Before any golfer, pro or otherwise, picks up a club, they look at the capability of their body versus the requirements of the swing.

What exactly does this mean?

Most of us are aware that golf requires rotation at the hip joints, shoulder joints and spine. So, what if a golfer has a very tight low back or any restrictions in their shoulders? Well, the obvious answer is that any loss of range of motion creates swing flaws in addition to injuries. This is a fact based on human performance and movement. It is also necessary to create a fluid and natural golf swing. Not only does golf require good rotation at each joint, but it must be efficient and explosive.

Last fall I had the opportunity to visit such a human performance center where some of the more famous tour players train. I was able to explore the same tests they take as part of their initial assessment period. Remember since we are all built differently and have different strengths and weaknesses, we all test differently.

The results of these tests help guide, direct and prioritize any training program moving forward. How successful is this approach to golf conditioning? I watched it place a green jacket on a well deserving young player just a couple of years ago.

What exactly do you test for?

Muscle strength. Evaluate each significant muscle group. Are there any significant differences between your left side and your right side?

Range of Motion. Do you have adequate range of motion in the joints which most affect the golf swing? How does your lower body look versus your upper body? Does your left side match the flexibility in your right?

Core strength and endurance. Do you know how to properly engage your core region? If so, for how long?

Aerobic capacity and endurance. Do you have what it takes to last through a solid 18 holes? Is there an opportunity for improvement?

Balance. Do you have proper balance? Do you know what normal balance for golf looks like?

Physical assessment tests similar are commonly used by the top touring pros today. These tests are being offered at some of the top golf performance centers and will surely be the wave of the future. It is your true understanding of your relative strengths and weaknesses that creates opportunities for immediate and sound improvement in your game.

Susan Hill is a Golf Fitness Expert, Sports Nutritionist and President of FitnessforGolf.com. For more information on how to properly assess your golf specific strengths and weaknesses, visit http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

TSN.ca

Sorenstam’s Final Shots Fall Short
New York Times, United States - 1 hour ago
And at the end, Annika Sorenstam bathed in one final roar of appreciation from the fans filling the stands at Trump International Golf Club. ...
Golf-Sorenstam set to miss cut in LPGA Tour swansong Reuters.uk
Sorenstam 3-over after 9 holes, may miss cut The Associated Press
Golf roundup: Annika Sorenstam, John Daly and more... Boston Herald
USA Today - New York Times
all 669 news articles


BBC Sport

The health dangers of golf? Look up
Palm Beach Post,  United States - 1 hour ago
By Phil Galewitz | Friday, November 21, 2008, 03:23 PM The most dangerous part of golf is not accidentally getting hit by a club or a wayward golf ball. ...
Storms on the Horizon for the Golf Industry New York Times
Trump courting tours; the PGA's funny math Examiner.com
The Warren GC At Notre Dame To Host 2010 US Women's Amateur Public ... BunkerShot.com
BizChinaUpdate - Oxford Review
all 426 news articles


Travel Picks: Top 10 new golf courses in 2008
Reuters - 11 hours ago
The Castle Course at St. Andrews in Scotland was named as the top new golf course of 2008 by Travel + Leisure Golf magazine, which described it as one of ...


RTT News

Dick's Sporting Goods slowing expansion plan
BusinessWeek - 9 hours ago
A sporting goods chain based in western Pennsylvania is slowing its plans to open new stores because people are spending less on golf clubs and other ...
Dick's Sporting Goods Reports Third Quarter Results; In line With ... MarketWatch
Dick's Sporting Goods 3Q earnings down Bizjournals.com
Dick's Inc. 3Q income tumbles 25 percent Press & Sun-Bulletin
Footwear News - Reuters
all 52 news articles


SI.com

Golf Tidbits: Why golf is a gentleman's sport
Sports Network - Nov 20, 2008
By Kevin Currie, Golf Editor Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Every sport has its rules. How often people break them depends on the sport. ...
JP Hayes turns himself in for playing an illegal golf ball; ruins ... FanIQ
Hayes becomes latest to cry, 'What a stupid I am.' The Canadian Press
Pro Golfer's Honesty: A Shining Example Christian Broadcasting Network
Hartford Courant - Trading Markets (press release)
all 58 news articles


Free Golf at the Only Nicklaus Design Golf Course in Northwest Florida
MarketWatch - 20 hours ago
The Nicklaus Design Golf Course at Bay Point Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Panama City Beach, FL will offer free golf beginning November 7, 2008. ...
Holiday Travel Deals Announced at the Orlando World Center ... MarketWatch
all 13 news articles


Etonic renews its supporting partnership in Golf Retirement Plus
WorldGolf.com, AZ - 7 hours ago
Etonic, an industry pioneer in innovative golf shoe and glove technology for more than 60 years, has renewed its supporting partnership in Golf Retirement ...
The PGA Professional Golf Management Program graduates students WorldGolf.com
all 2 news articles


The Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Caribbean & Mexico Announce New ...
MarketWatch - 2 hours ago
For the golf enthusiasts: couples can plan a wedding ceremony on the expansive greens of the White Witch Golf Course at The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, ...


Robinson named to All-Area Golf team
Morehead News, KY - 4 hours ago
By Leeann Tanner - Staff Writer Rowan County Senior High School Junior Deandra Robinson was recently named to the All-Area Golf team. ...


SuperSport

Jeev tied 10th in Hong Kong Open golf
NDTV.com, India - 5 hours ago
PTI Jeev Milkha Singh saved Indian golf contingent the blushes as he roared into title contention once again with a stunning seven-under 63 that raised him ...
Jeev, Jyoti team up for World Cup golf Sify
Strong start for Gangjee at Hong Kong Open golf Hindu
Ageing cast lifts Asian golf hopes in Hong Kong AFP
The Press Association - GulfNews
all 108 news articles

Golf - Google News

home | site map
© 2006