Physical Testing
“I was a good athlete back in the day!” says the golfer 30 years removed from college days and 50 pounds ago, yet their goal is to play golf at the highest level they can. Is this possible, can they actually improve or will their body even let them swing the club efficiently?
What does this mean for the “average golfer” coming out for a lesson? They first must understand that poor mobility, stability and strength are the root causes of their mechanical inefficiencies. The shape you are in physiologically is the judge and jury pertaining to how you swing the club; thus, if you want to improve you must begin by working on your body.
inefficiencies caused by stability and mobility issues.
characteristics.
Thankfully for us golf specific fitness programs are now the rage – especially in Jupiter – the golf mecca of the United States. It all began with The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) introducing us to using movement screening and physiological testing for golfers before trying to “fix” the client’s swing. With their lead we are seeing players – thanks to Tiger – using the gym to complement their practice time so that they can become more complete athletes first and better golfers, second.
Testing internal and external shoulder rotation
As you look around Jupiter you will find that most country clubs have golf instructors and/or fitness trainers that possess certifications in golf fitness and there are even gyms that specifically cater to these types of programs such as Hit it Great (Joey D’s,) Ben Shear Golf Performance, and Lifetime Performance, etc. So, it is not hard to find a golf trainer that will help improve your body while we, the teaching professionals, work on your golf swing. Together we can help you get to the next level but one without the other makes the process much harder.
If you are having issues within your golf swing and need some assistance, I would first go through a physical movement screening at your club or one of the facilities listed above to help you (and your teaching professional) better understand why you “move” the way you do. From there you both will be armed with the correct information to help improve your golf swing while you are working on your golf-body … yes, this will take some time, but I promise you will be better off in the end. For questions or comments email [email protected].
Teaching Professional,
Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club
Tom has been a full-time instructor for over 30 years and has taught at The Four Seasons, Punta Mita, in Mexico; Bighorn Golf Club, in Palm Desert, California; The Club at Cordillera in Vail, Colorado; and The Promontory Club in Park City, Utah, as well as several others. He was a fifteen-year recipient of Golf Magazine’s, “Top 100 Instructors in America” award, ranked as one of the “Best Instructors in Florida,” and is noted by Golf Digest as one of their “Top 75 International Instructors.” In his spare time, he enjoys scuba diving, playing golf and learning more about the golf swing.
