The Key to Fixing Your Golf Swing Is Synching It With Your Physical Limitations

The Titleist Performance Institute could hardly be in a more anonymous setting: seven miles inland from the Pacific, surrounded by office parks, recognizable from the main road only by its tall, driving-range-style

nets. But on any given day, one is likely to encounter several high-profile Tour pros here. When I visited last month, Brad Faxon was working out in the gym and Ben Crane was toying around on the range. Padraig Harrington was expected a few days later with his full entourage—his caddy, coaches and physical therapist.

Players under contract to Titleist get their equipment fitted here at no cost. The company also does much of its club and ball testing at the facility. But the most intriguing work carried out at TPI involves the golf swing, in particular research into the negative cascading effect that physical limitations and dysfunctions, even seemingly trivial ones like a stiff ankle, can have on a player's ability to hit the ball efficiently.

For average golfers with major issues, like immobility in the hips (that would be me), the staff can propose workarounds or pinpoint physical therapy regimens that, with time and discipline, can correct the flaws.