Whenever a new year approaches, many people look back over the past year and consider what they would like to improve or work toward in the coming months. For a golf athlete, your resolution could be improving your physical performance in order to improve your game. Here is a quick step by step process to get started.
- Find a professional to work with, ideally someone that is certified with the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) to focus specifically on your golf fitness goals. Our students at the Academy are fortunate to have TPI certified Director of Performance Training, Shawn Mehring to assist in their goals. If you cannot attend the Academy with us, go to http://www.mytpi.com/experts and find a TPI Certified Fitness Trainer.
- This fitness trainer will have the availability to complete a Level 1 Mobility Screen. This screening process will take you through every possible movement in relation to a golf swing and find your limitations.
- With your TPI Trainer, sign up for personal training sessions to improve your limitations.
- You do not want to program your own workout. There’s a ton of knowledge and resources a trainer has, especially when it comes to modifying exercises and phases of training, that they will utilize when designing a personalized program.
- DON’T GIVE UP! Changes do not occur in a week or even two. It may take months for you to improve a limitation. You will excel at some exercises and training elements, but there will also be some that you struggle with. The struggles are the most important part to improving abilities. It lets you know the most important aspects on which to focus. Once you improve the limitations, your golf game will improve dramatically. Your scores may not improve immediately – but your mobility, swing mechanics, posture and overall well-being will change.
The golf fitness world is growing at a very fast rate. There are a lot of certified professionals who specialize in golf fitness. You don’t have to train as a body builder, powerlifter, or crossfitter just to be in shape. Although your program may include those aspects, you will focus a lot on mobility, stability, posture, core activation and power development.
Utilizing these steps and setting small goals to help build to your ultimate goal are a fantastic way to start the new year on the right foot. Getting into better physical shape will not only improve your daily life but also help dramatically on the golf course with added stamina, strength and flexibility.
