Bogey Breeze 2020 - March March 2020 Bogey Breeze | Page 10

G O L F A C A D E M Y Golf and Fitness How the Two Coexist In this edition, I want to discuss how fitness can both hinder and help a golfer’s game, as well as when someone should start down the fitness path to improve their game. Fitness has come a long way for the sport and is increasing its importance every year. However, exercising the proper muscles and knowing which exercises will help your game are paramount. Many people go to the gym or work out at home with the idea of just getting bigger. While this can be a benefit, it can also hinder your game. If you decide you want to have more muscle mass and start bulking up, you can cause issues in your golf swing. The golf swing is designed for speed and mobility; if we inhibit either one of these it can cause loss of distance and consistency. If you decide to work out based on both health and game improvement, exercises that focus on mobility and stability are best. This will help increase range of motion as well as strengthen the proper muscles used in golf. When should I start working out? Like anything in sports, change takes time. The body is no different. Results take time and the earlier you begin, the better. For example, if I want to work on my core and be ready for the golf season, I will need to begin my workouts at the beginning of the year, so my results start to show for the season. If you wait until the season begins or right before, you won’t see those results until midseason or later. Jaime Burrows, for example, is running a Core Performance class right now. I would highly recommend attending these classes NOW. Having a strong core is one of the essentials to a better golf swing. Don’t wait until the golf season because you won’t see the results until it’s too late. Get in the gym now and you will see improvements when the season starts. How do I know what to do? I can test your physical limitations and see where your weaknesses are, as well as your strengths. You may not be able to do specific swing movements because of these limitations. This doesn’t mean you are a good or bad golfer; it means your body can’t physically get into optimum swing movements. If you are looking for improvements, proper exercise can help you achieve some of your golf goals. We can then base your exercises on your limitations and improve your overall health, as well as your game. If you would like a physical assessment test, contact me at [email protected]. If you would like to signup for the Core Performance Class, you can sign-up in the workout center. I would highly recommend this class to ALL Golfers! Core Performance – 45 minutes – Strength training workout that focuses on abdominal and back strength, rotational movements, maximizing upper body rotation, and increasing strength throughout your hips. Thank you, Dennis Walters Jr.