Training-Tiger and More Golf Talk
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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Comment by Colin Scott on 23 February 2010:
Susan, I picked up on exactly the same word “entitled” and had exactly the same reaction as you BUT the question is: was he saying that that’s what led him to behave as he did AND that he now realises this was wrong AND that he’s NOT “entitled”? If this is the case well OK but it certainly didn’t come through in what he subsequently said. Conclusion: he’s still the same arrogant SOB as before. Although I take no joy from his downfall I’ve never seen him as a role model for youngsters - too much cussing and carry-on when he hits a bad shot and over-the-top celebration of good ones. Leave that to the pampered players on the tennis circuit. Golf should continue to be the gentleman’s game it has always been. I admire him as the greatest “competitor” since Nicklaus but I’ve never liked his swing and he will never replace Hogan, in my eyes, as the greatest ever.
Comment by Joe on 23 February 2010:
I am sorry to disagree with those who did not like his apology speech. I thought it was dignified and he really showed that he was sorry for his actions. As for his “entitled” explanation, that was his way of explaining why he went astray. I don’t think he still feels the same way. I don’t condone his infidelity, but I feel that he is admitting his guilt, not like some of other star athletes who kept denying their guilt. You have to give him credit for admitting his transgressions sooner than later. Let’s give him some credit for his apology and his promise to correct his behavior.
Comment by BOGEYMAN on 23 February 2010:
He’s made a hundered million a year from golf and his sponsors . He owes golf, his sponsors, and his fans the satisfaction of being out there playing. He needs to get up off his broken ass and get back to work just like any of us would have to do just to survive.
Comment by Jo Pogue on 23 February 2010:
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WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ARE YOU TO BE PICKING AT EVERY WORD IN TIGER’S APOLOGY AND TO INTERPRET EVERY MOVEMENT HE MADE!YOU MUST ALL BE SO PERFECT,FOR GOODNESS SAKES. IT IS TIME TO STOP CRITICIZING AND LET TIGER AND HIS WIFE GET TOGETHER IN PRIVACY TO DECIDE WHAT THEIR FUTURE WILL BRING. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PROMINENT MEN WHO HAVE CHEATED AND YET TODAY THEIR PICTURES ARE IN THE NEWSPAPERS AND TV AS THOUGH NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN CLINTON?
Comment by janet on 24 February 2010:
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Comment by ERMTWO on 24 February 2010:
I doubt there is anyone out there who is a bigger fan of Tiger than I am. What I witnessed last Friday almost brought me to tears. The biggest icon in sports was brought to his knees by his own arrogance and selfishness. I was truly disappointed that Tiger had reached this level, but it proves that he truly is human after all and like all of us, suceptible to the temptations that all of us face on a daily basis, just at a much higher level. At this point, I think Tiger has taken a huge step in getting his life back on track, and he doesn’t owe the media, golf fans, or the general public anything more than he has already given. The only people he much continue to prove himself to are his wife, kids, family, and most importantly, himself. I wish him and his family the best and look forward to his return to golf when the time is right.
Comment by John Kaufman, Oceanside, CA on 24 February 2010:
Here is the one comment I got from Tiger that applies to us all. I have elaborated on that comment. “It is NOT about what one achieves in Life, it is really about what adversities one overcomes, for this becmes the TRUE ACCOMPLISHMENTS to ones life.” This statement applies to every person on this planet. No one is without issues, problems, and agendas. Tiger is not a God but a man who, money and fame got the best of him. What doesn’t kill you only can make you stronger ONLY if you choose to change.