Josh’s Tips & Tricks: How well can you move?
Hello lockdown golfers!
I hope the New Year is treating you well and you’re keeping busy in the most recent lockdown.
This week I would like to look a little bit further into the physical side of golf. We often think that golf is a sociable game with lots of skill and technical ability attached however the physical aspects of the game are just as, if not more important.
If a player has good technical ability but poor physical ability they will be limited to what they can achieve and vice versa. Just imagine an elite athlete from another sport could be more than able to perform good movements in the golf swing but may not have the knowledge or understanding to perform a good swing.
On the other hand a golfer who has been playing for years could have excellent technical understanding but their beer belly, right hip replacement, and dodgy left shoulder could be stopping them from achieving their golfing goals. Also being able to complete a round of golf can be challenging for some people and this can effect your final score so having the cardio ability is another huge factor.
How to test your physical ability:
If you would like to test your physical ability there are screening tests that you can carry out. In the PGA we have to be aware of these so we can point out people’s physical limitations in lessons. These limitations could be part of the reason for the errors in their golf swing and not the actual technique itself.
CLICK HERE read about the TPI Titleist Performance Institute with video guidance of their screening tests.
If you have some free time and would like a better understanding of the physical movements required in the golf swing go and carry them out yourself. You might find that there is something physically limiting you in your swing and then you could work on improving that over the coming weeks before the season starts again.
Try to write down the results of these tests so you can revisit at a later date and notice any improvements. Some of them may require some help from another person so maybe get someone from the household to do them with you. They can be quite good fun to carry out and you never know, they could find something that is causing them problems not only in golf but other sports too.
I try to keep myself physically fit, as I know a lot of you do, by visiting the gym, walking the dog, running, and stretching. It’s very difficult when the gyms are shut and the weather isn’t like the first lockdown but there is still plenty you can do to benefit both yourself and your golf game. I have been trying to walk at least 2 hours a day with the dog, I look at this as walking 9 holes and this helps keep my fitness up ready for game time. I have also purchased a skipping rope to try and improve my fitness and agility (which I can do indoors when it rains/snows). Even rolling on my muscle roller several times a week loosens my back which will help with my rotation when I get back to hitting balls.
If you have any questions related to these tests or would like to send me your results so I can read through them feel free. I am not yet a qualified “expert” in biomechanics or physical training but I am looking to complete a course in the following months. The TPI website also provides workouts you can do at home that are directly linked to the golf swing and improving these screening test results. If you work on this part of your game I can almost guarantee that your game will improve next season.
Take care and stay safe.
Cheers,
Josh