I recently received this question in my inbox from a golfer and thought many of you would like to
see the answer so I decided to answer it in this newsletter.
‘Susan, I would just like to know what the key principles of training is and how it can be applied to golf?”
Hmmm…key principles. There are many ways to answer this depending on exactly what this golfer was looking for. I assume he means ‘what are the most important elements to training for golf’.
Here are some things I think every golfer should use in their training.
-single arm and leg training. The reason for this is because golf is generally played either right side or left side dominant with a repeated pattern. Depending on how many times you practice or play, you can hit a lot of golf balls each week. So, the stress on your body is in the exact same places, time after time. This causes imbalances in the body that can turn to injuries. For this reason, I like to make sure golfers perform exercises by addressing one leg and arm at a time. For example, I love the one legged squat.
If this is something you’ve never tried, you might be surprised at how strong one leg might be relative to the other. Try placing a high chair behind you and simply lifting one leg up behind you while you bend at the knee and attempt to sit in the chair. Of course, try it with both legs independently. See if you can just slightly touch the chair and then pushing through your foot, attempt to stand back up (without actually sitting in the chair)
-stretch what’s tight. Perhaps this is obvious, but let me explain the problem as it pertains to golf. Most people have areas where they are very tight and areas that are loose. It is human nature to only want to continue stretching in places where they already feel good. For example, let’s say a golfer has good shoulder flexibility and very tight hamstrings. Clearly, this golfer needs to stretch his or her hamstrings in a 3 to 1 pattern. In other words, they should spend three times the amount of time stretching their hamstrings as compared to their shoulders. But, this is not what happens in real life scenarios. Why? Well, I have asked the same question to golfers for years and guess what their response is.
I will say…’did you realize how tight your hamstrings are?’. They will reply ‘yes’. Then, I will ask why don’t you stretch more often and the reply is ‘because it doesn’t feel good’.
No doubt this is a very honest answer which in turn leads back to the problem.
How will we ever get better or more flexible in this area if we ignore it?
-try to understand your strengths and weaknesses as a golfer. We have have both. But, for each of us are strengths and weakneeses are different. So, the most significant improvement that is made with a golfer is when we address what the real issue is with each person. For example, maybe just the left shoulder is super tight, but the right is fine. Or perhaps, a golfer has good upper body strength, but poor lower body strength relatively speaking. Each of these single issues have an opportunity for improvement.
Many golfers already have a sense for what needs to be improved. However, there are still many golfers who don’t. Remember that I have a very comprehensive self assessment designed specifically for golf on my website at
http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.
I have used this exact assessment when working with a handful of tour players when I can’t fly out and meet them due to schedule or travel conflicts. I have also had 3 college teams use it to find out their strengths and weaknesses so we could plan a specific program for improvement.
These are the main principles that I think will take you a long way in your golf improvement process.
Do you have more questions for me that I can answer through this newsletter sequence? Just send me an email to
susan@fitnessforgolf.com.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
P.S. Want to know what I think about Tiger’s latest speech? Read below.
Susan Hill
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I got a ton of mail from golfers who wanted my ‘take’ on the big press conference with Tiger Woods last Friday. I wonder how many of you heard it or watched it?
What did I really think? Really? Ok. Here goes…
I thought it was awful and pathetic. To see a man who on a ‘normal’ day would be so filled with passion, grace, presence, then to see him at the height of jis self destruction. It was a sad day for everyone. Sad for him, his wife, his kids, his mom, golfers across the world, sponsors, and his collegeaus…did I leave anyone out?
He looked terrible, like a truly broken man and I find no joy in seeing this with anyone…whether he brought it on himself or not. It was a sad day indeed.
My only other comment was something he said as part of his public apology that really bothered me. He said he did it because he thought he was ‘entitled’. Something about those words just stayed with me.
I guess I have never felt entitled to anything. I have worked hard in my life and made more money than seemed fair, but I never felt entitled to it. I have worked towards some interesting achievements in my life, but never felt ‘entitled’. Sometimes I felt I deserved things. But, I can’t imagaine a day where I ever felt ‘entitled’ to anything. That word strikes me as the ultimate in arrogance.
Do you want to share your thoughts on his speech, his pending ‘comeback’ or how your support has changed (or not) for Mr. Woods? Come join me on my blog here and feel free to share your comments.
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