Cory Puyear
Twenty years ago, the concept of
physically working out in order to improve your golf game was something of an
anomaly. Currently, golf magazines
devote entire sections to the idea. Golfers, from the professional to the weekend
amateur, are seeking improved fitness in hopes of improving their handicap
index and their ability to hit the ball straighter and farther. Since golf fitness exercises have become more
mainstream than twenty years ago, it is important to recognize the type of
exercises that will produce an optimal result for someone’s body and golf
game.
The human body is
designed for movement
in three planes of motion (sagittal, frontal, and transverse). An activity may
be dominant in one plane but the other two planes must be stable in order to
perform the activity efficiently. The
golf swing requires rotary (transverse plane) movement from four areas: the
foot/ankle, hips, torso, and shoulders.
In order for these body segments to rotate as fast as possible and at
the right times during the swing, your body must have the ability to stabilize
itself. Any excessive movement from right to left, up and down, or side-to-side
will reduce both the amount of speed and rotation of the ball. Consequently, the golf ball travels a shorter
distance and more inconsistently than desired.
How does all this
relate to one’s exercise routine? When you work out
with machines, you isolate a specific muscle. Often times, when your body is
supported by an apparatus, you are not required to stabilize yourself or
maintain balance and posture. In
addition, the central nervous system is designed to optimize the selection of
muscle activation to perform integrated movement patterns at varying speeds in
all three planes of motion. Since the
body is designed for tri-planar movement in an integrated environment, isolated
muscle training does little to improve functional ability. For optimal golf swing results, your body is
required to have segmental mobility and stability in each of the rotationally
dominant areas of the body, while maintaining one’s balance and posture. Weighted cable pulleys, resisted rubber
cords and swiss ball exercises done in specific golf swing positions will
produce greater results for many golfers.
When looking to evaluate a potential work out facility, do not be impressed with an establishment solely focused on machines as options to work out. There needs to be a variety of machines, free weights, cardio, swiss balls and exercise bands. If you would like more information about golf specific exercises to enhance your golf game, contact Cory at cpuyear@athletico.com or visit www.athletico.com
Cory
Puyear, PT, CSCS, MGFI
As a licensed physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist, Cory has dedicated his career to understanding the biomechanics, manual therapy, rehabilitation and corrective exercises as they relate to golf. Cory has been an adjunct staff to many golf schools and has appeared on The Golf Channel as a golf fitness expert. He has worked closely with many PGA teaching professionals including two of Golf Digest's top Six PGA instructors. Cory has been certified as a golf biomechanic through the C.H.E.K. Institute and as a Master Golf Fitness Instructor through Advantage Golf.
The articles at GolfFitnessProducts.net
are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute
for direct examination and exercise prescription by the appropriate
health professional. It is strongly recommended that you do not
perform any exercise program without the consent of your personal
physician.
