Sort of O/T - Golf Fitness

[Mark_F]

This may have been covered before, but just as a matter of interest, how many of you do some specific training to improve your golf?

I just had a screening from my pro, who found that all bar two elements of my flexibility are less than half what they should be.  

Does anyone here do Yoga regularly, for example, or perhaps a stretching programme designed by a physio?

Has it improved your golf?

What about cardio?  Anyone run or swim or cycle regularly?

What about weights, whether in a gym, at home, or something more modest like using medicine balls, exercise tubing?

I am interested if lower handicappers do more/anything that higher handicappers don't.

[George Pazin]

Submitted for your approval:

OT Balancing your golf game with your fitness program

[Mark_F]

Thanks, George.

Not sure too many would be keen on your programme, though...

[Jeff_Brauer]

Mark,

In a similar thread, Brad Klein and I both fessed up to being yogaphiles (yogi's?)  Actually, if you watch Brad Faxon's stretching segment on the Golf Channel, he repeatedly says "This is just basic yoga" and similar.

Brad credits it with improving his game.  My goals in golf aren't so lofty, I just want to play without pain.  Since taking up yoga, I have gone from 4-6 Advils per round to none.  I am a believer.  I also feel better during the day.

Added bonus - class is full of babes.

Possible downside? Embarassing tendency to fart in the really tough stretches.....

BTW, I used to weight lift more. I found it counterproductive as to golf.  I also do cardio like cycle classes, skating, etc.

I must not do it enough.  I still weigh too much......

[David_Tepper]

There is a pretty good golf fitness show that has run at times on the Golf Channel. I think you can pull up and replay the various episodes on the Golf Channel's website.

I would take a look at any basic book about Pilates and/or using the inflated exercise ball, sometimes called a Swiss ball.  

[James Bennett]

Mark

regular exercise that has a mix of everything is pretty good.  Yes the cardio is good.  But the most improvement golf-wise that I have 'enjoyed' is flexability and a stronger back/core.

Abdominal work, lower back stretches, shoulder/arm stretches all have helped.  It doesn't necessarily make your good play day any better, but it increases the number of times you can play your 'average' game.  And, the increased flexability might enable you to develop a better swing.

The other benefit (apart from 'the babes') is that otherwise, middle-age not only creeps up on you, it runs straight past you. You'll be carrying your clubs soon Mark if you undertake a program!

James B

[Garland Bayley]

I used to do a lot of Pilates for core strength and flexibility. I improved my core strength, as far as I could tell I didn't improve my golf game (my handicap didn't show anything significant, and it's a bit lower since I quit). I seem to be reasonably flexible so I don't thing I improved that with pilates.

I am willing to bet that swinging a weighted club is one of the best things you can do. Other than that just walking/jogging/running for overall fitness.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I have always felt that two of the major differences between young and old are strength and flexibility.  I have a bow-flex and do yoga regularly.  I do cardio so I can last 36 holes walking.  At 60 I need all the help I can get.

[James Bennett]

Garland

how old are you?  If you are not yet 40, I understand your post.  If you are over 40, I expect you have been a very good athlete.

Mark Ferguson is at that critical age.  As befits a 'senior' member of GCA.

James B

[Garland Bayley]

James,

Let's just say I am well over 40 with an athletic background, ala Turboe.
 

[Mark_F]

Added bonus - class is full of babes.

Possible downside? Embarassing tendency to fart in the really tough stretches.....

Bugger.  One is cancelled out by the other.

James:

I have always stretched, but obviously not properly, or the correct ones.

Either that, or the weights have cancelled anything out.  I know the scientists say it shouldn't, but I am living proof that it does...

Aside from hamstring flexibility and back extension, my felxibility is terrible - I had the lesson to rebuild my swing from the beginning, but my coach said no point in doing anything until I get a bit looser.

And I am wayyyyyyyyy past middle age ... 42 a couple of weeks back sure feels old.  Not sure who those bastards who say 40 is the new 50 are, but they should be shot.

[David_Tepper]

I would also recommend a book called "Golf Flex, The Complete Workout," by Paul Frediani. Get the current version that comes with a DVD. The book contains a lot of stretches and exercises that are pilates/yoga-based and use the exercise ball.

[Mark_F]

Thanks, David.

That sounds perfect.

Have to love thoise books that come with video enhancement also.  

Is it filmed in a class full of babes minus the sound?

[B. Mogg]

Added bonus - class is full of babes.

Possible downside? Embarassing tendency to fart in the really tough stretches.....

Bugger.  One is cancelled out by the other.

James:

I have always stretched, but obviously not properly, or the correct ones.

Either that, or the weights have cancelled anything out.  I know the scientists say it shouldn't, but I am living proof that it does...

Aside from hamstring flexibility and back extension, my felxibility is terrible - I had the lesson to rebuild my swing from the beginning, but my coach said no point in doing anything until I get a bit looser.

And I am wayyyyyyyyy past middle age ... 42 a couple of weeks back sure feels old.  Not sure who those bastards who say 40 is the new 50 are, but they should be shot.

Mark - it's supposed to be 50 is the new 40! If you have it the other way round you have big problems. Being 41 myself I am a believer in the "50 is the new 40" mantra as my means of denying my true age. That and being really immature and childish helps.

Core work and keeping the weight off is key - if you have a strong back and are not carrying too much weight then age is just a number.

[David_Tepper]

Check out:

www.titleistperformanceinstitute.com/gfa/default.asp

These shows are very well done and it looks like you can pull up most of them online. Sorry, no babes!  

[Mike Benham]

There is a pretty good golf fitness show that has run at times on the Golf Channel.

Stretching

[Bill_McBride]

After many years of no stretching to speak of and reaching the golden age of 65   , I have finally started a yoga program.  My daughter teaches yoga and designed a routine for me that focuses on rotationally stretching my torso and hips.

I found I really needed that after a lesson from a former PGA player named Buddy Whitten, who pointed out that my "turn" had become sort of non-existent!

So I'm working on stretching out my right hip flexor, as that tightness has really made it hard for me to turn away in the backswing and then fire the right side in the downswing and follow through.

Whoever called these "The Golden Years" didn't know what he was talking about at all!  

[Bob_Huntley]

I find this subject topical and most interesting.

I have at home a Pilates Reformer, a Treadmill, Yoga mats and a huge plastic ball for doing all sorts of exotic exercises, yet they seem to have been used only by my wife....until three weeks ago.

In the hope of curing, or at least getting rid of some severe leg cramps, I sought the help of a vascular surgeon. After extensive tests they could find no reason for the problem. I then saw an othopod and he determined that the rigidity of my hamstrings might be something to work on.

I started therapy just under a month ago and I must say it has worked wonders. I can put on  my socks without fearing a spasm and the therapy is now moving up to freeing the aches and pains of my lower back.

What has made the transition from being just plain lazyto an exerciser is that the club has a new exercise room and concommitant luxuries as a Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

The stretching includes stuff purely for golf. I cannot vouch for its effectiveness in lowering my score but I sure look well groomed when leaving the club.

And Bill McBride, at 65 you are still a child.

Bob

[RJ_Daley]

I have accepted my place in life; which is to stand next to all you guys in GCA.com golf outting photos and make you all look positively, svelte.

[Tony_Muldoon]

48 (just about) with a bad back. I've always enjoyed sports and the feeling of being 'fit’.   Find I've put on half a stone (7 lbs) each decade despite eating better and drinking much less beer.

I have been swimming about 100 times a year for the past 20 years as I can't stand the gym and had to give up squash. Started Golf, 60+ rounds a year, 5 years ago and usually hit balls on the way home at least once a week.

Two years ago I started to attend Yoga classes once a week.  The effect was not immediate but the following is now clear.
- I have always been stiff in the hips and the hamstrings.  This has vastly improved and the benefits flow from this.  After Christmas I spent two days on my back in pain. In the past it would have taken 4-6 weeks before I considered myself free of all pain and back to full movement.  Now it's about a week!
-  I can sit more comfortably, have more energy, concentration is better.
- Golf is at last showing the right signs.  My handicap will drop this year, in 10 non qualifying rounds I've yet to shoot over it and have been as low as 10 under it.

Plus it’s something my wife & I (and other hot babes) do together and once you get into it, it’s a very enjoyable hour and a half, plus 10 minutes every other morning.

Now who's going to start the weight loss (how to) thread?

[Jason Topp]

My wife gave me a series of sessions with a personal trainer a few years ago.  My flexibility was fine but my balance and strength lacked.  The trainer created a workout routine for me that takes about 15-30 minutes depending on whether I do the cardio.  I can do it while watching TV which is critical because if I have to go to a gym, I'm pretty likely to choose to watch TV instead.

I've been relatively good about keeping up the routine for 2 years.  I'm not sure it has helped my golf game but it has done wonders for injury protection.  I never have had an injury or even soreness associated with playing golf since I started the program.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

It is the second most important aspect of maintaining ones heath after nuitrition. Stretching in some form seems to be key for golf as well as mustle maintenance.

[Geoffrey Childs]

This DVD is worth looking into.  It is a pilates program specific for golf.  It seemed too easy at first UNTIL you actually went through the workout.  It does yield results in basic flexibility and core strength.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Golf-Fitness-Pilates-based-Golf-Conditioning-DVD-1_W0QQitemZ160094959482QQcategoryZ71106QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Phil Benedict]

For most of my adult life I have had some sort of fitness routine; only in the last 10 years or so have I thought of it in the context of my golf game.  No question the arrival of Tiger Woods has increased the awareness of strength and fitness as it relates to golf.

My current program is a trainer once a week and a home workout a couple of other times a week.  The workout with the trainer is not at all golf specific although the trainer knows I play golf.  Each workout has an element of upper and lower body strength training as well as core training.  It's never easy and occasionally borders on a near death experience.  My home workout is similar in concept although not nearly as difficult. I also do lots of stretching.

I am in my mid-fiftees and take the view that being fit will keep me off the senior tees for as long as possible.

 

[Garland Bayley]

This DVD is worth looking into.  It is a pilates program specific for golf.  It seemed too easy at first UNTIL you actually went through the workout.  It does yield results in basic flexibility and core strength.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Golf-Fitness-Pilates-based-Golf-Conditioning-DVD-1_W0QQitemZ160094959482QQcategoryZ71106QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Dr. Childs Sir,

We know you endorse the Sky Caddy. Is this a new endorsement contract for you? Have you done the Pilates and realized benefits in your game? Or, did you just sign the deal for the money?