Forum > Technique, Tips & Tuition

Steve Cowle

Hey Guys,

Just interested in whether anyone works on their golf fitness and flexibility, obviously this time of year a good warm up is essential to prevent any injuries.

Do you feel that your swing could be improved if you're range of body movement was increased?

ps I hate snow

Stevecowlegolf

John Pettitt

My swing could definitely be improved if I had a full range of movement.

My problem, is that my brain still has the functions of a younger man and the conflict is between the brain and my body, with the brain insisting that it knows best.

It is strange that this only appears to affect my wood play. I just cannot find a swing that works all the time. Every tee shot, I am trying something new, searching for that elusive feeling that comes so easy when I am using an iron.

Perhaps I need to be committed to an institution.

David Marshall

They wouldn't have you, John

You would cause a riot within a day

John Pettitt

David Marshall

Christopher Watmore

Its something I was told I had to do since starting lessons back in 2006. I was always told I had to get more flexible, bring my body into the swing and not put so much focus on just my arms. As the Pros I saw tried to do this it caused all sorts of problems in my game, knocked me back a long way.

Earlier this year I joined a gym hoping they would be able to help get me in shape and improve my flexibility which would then help the Pros get what they wanted out of me. Again it didn't really work for me and in actual fact I suffered a couple of injuries.

So about 5 months ago I thought to myself, sod it. I'll go back to my old method and see what happens. Results improved, handicap has fallen 5 strokes, hitting the ball more consistantely. Surely thats the most important thing?

I sometimes wonder what these Pros are being taught at the PGA School these days, because obviously their attempts at forcing me to use this 'Modern' Swing is not correct for me.

David Lythgoe

Christopher,

You have hit the nail on the head.

The PGA is churning out Golf Teachers by the dozen but what is needed are Golf Coaches. They take what you've got and work with it to get the best out of you and some people have to be told, "sorry, you are wasting your money and my time, you will never get the hang of it".

We need to learn to swing with our body, and not how we think we should. Then if we do 'work out' our body can then accommodate change.

TheLyth

Wayne Santorini

Dave ley

Jonny P

Darren Ramowski

Jonny agree in terms of carry, unless it's ridiculously hilly or extremely hot.

In terms of fitness it really depends on the starting point.  If you have limited mobility in the core areas then improved fitness would help to a degree.

David Lythgoe

OK guys, here is an exercise for you all to do. Back in the 70's, its what us Pro's did during the winter when we couldn't get out on the Practice Ground. And it was the only 'work out' most of us ever did.

Right, get a long Iron, say a 4iron and with it hanging down grip it at the grip end in only your fingers with the thumb pointing upwards. Now without using or moving your thumb, twist the shaft and work your way towards the head. Try both hands and see which gets the best results and let us know on here how you get on.

TheLyth

Christopher Watmore

David Homer

I had a lesson recently and at the end I had aching muscles that I did not realise I had on my body! I would say that fitness and working out would improve my game.  Just got to get round to it in between all the golf I play.

Dave ley

Robbie Allison

Did the gym 3 nights a week for a year but the old arthritus crippled me arms and hands after each visit so had to jack it in - could of kept going on the tred mill but 30 gold nuggets a month was a tad steep for that.

 Got meself a bike now to do 3 miles every other day - its suprising how far 3 miles is on a bike when you first go and whats with all the gears - I still cant work them out...

It was tigers idea - reckon he rode a few bikes before a round...

Christopher Watmore

I'm thinking of saving my 30 gold coins a month as well Robbie in favour of getting the bike out of storage. In my youth I used to do track cycling and of course before learning to drive had to cycle everywhere so was in far better cardio condition now and also physically stronger to in the lower half. I only stopped the cycling due to accidents with vehicles that failed to understand how fast you can move on two wheels when you know what you are doing.

I used to ride about 20 miles a day back in the day. 5 miles to work, 5 miles home then after tea I'd always go for a 10 mile serious ride and hope to complete it in 30 minutes or less.

Ian Bramwell

I would like to add my 30 gold coins worth if I may.

The whole Golf fitness thing does work but the posters here are quite correct, at amateur level it really does not give any significant difference that you can perhaps measure. I am sure it does give a difference though. As it does with any sport when the athlete is fitter they perform better.

Get less injuries to!

What is needed is a specific Golf fitness plan.  One that is designed for Golf and Golf only.  Many people train incorrectly thinking that just being fit will help their game.

Footballers train different to Rugby players who train different to....

Each fitness plan is different for each sport.  What mut be done is a Golf fitness plan that balances out each muscle group with its opposite number.  Think of ity like your arms; if you only exercised your Bicep, your Tricep would be small and your arm look ridiculous.  Solution, exercise the Tricat as well.

Does that help guys?

David Thomas

Doesn't it make sense that improving your golf fitness will improve things out on the course, regardless of who you are. I might even argue that amatuers will see more improvement than pros. If your hips or upper back are too tight to make a proper swing, you are going to introduce other compensations. Same as if your legs aren't strong enough to support your weight or your balance is awful.

The only problem is I suppose, if you've gotten used to your compensations, then improving your fitness might mess up your swing!

George Howe

I have begun shaping up to get better at my game, and believe it or not its working, Id suggest this free website for Videos of Golf where you can get fitness tips and they show you how to perform each of the exercises correctly. Sophie Horn does it too!

[SPAM LINKS REMOVED BY MOD]

Richard Lane

Here's my problem.  I know my winter league partner plays much better after several pints of cider!  Doesn't quite fit with the whole gym scenario!