Fitness
Top Ten things you shouldn’t do this winter! By Dee Tidwell DIVOT Contributing Writer
Well, here we are again, at the end of another golf season. Did the work you did during the fall winter and spring this year help or hurt you? Seriously…how did you do?
Did you: 1. Break 80? 2. Lower your handicap? 3. Play without pain? 4. Increase you driving distance? 5. Not improve…again?
Again, the question is, did you perform and accomplish the goals you set out for this golfing season? If your answer is no, then you probably think it’s because of the new club(s) you bought, or because you didn’t take enough lessons, or maybe because you didn’t practice enough? How about this, dare I say it wasn’t any of the those! For most golfers it’s simply because there was very little “off season’”preparation! Come March, you cant expect to go out and play well and score well without proper off season
preparation. So, let’s work on ten things you SHOULDN’T do over the fall, winter and spring season in preparation for next year.
Do Not... 1. Be LAZY!
I mean seriously! General fitness, function and performance in life (not just golf) is important to the longevity of your life and physical “prowess.” If you’re like me and expect to be active… then you can’t be lazy! Recent studies show that between the ages of 65 and 89, explosive lower limb extensor power (part of the golf swing) declines at 3.5% per year. Another study by Bonnefoy et all. 1998, showed that maximal anaerobic power declines 8.3% per decade from age 20 to 70. That’s a 59% total loss in fifty years!
2. Stop Stretching
Everyday I deal with clients who have pain because of immobility (joints) and inflexibility (muscles) and what do you think it mostly comes from? WORK! That’s right, the seated workplace is the
number one workplace position and combined with “texting neck” can wreak havoc on the body! So, if you want to remain “able bodied”, do your daily stretches! Flexibility can help your golf game; you’ll have better posture, increased range of motion, a higher club head speed, you’ll hit it further, it will help lower your score, and most importantly, help keep you form getting injured! My Recommendation, hire a TPI certified professional to create a specific stretching program for you during the off season. Go to mytpi.com and search for “find a fitness pro,” or contact myself.
3. Stop Strength Training
Studies have shown that a regular weight training program can grow muscle tissue, strengthen ligaments and tendons. Without a good weight training program, there is no way for you to maintain the levels of functionality that golf requires including squatting, lunging, pushing, pulling, bending, rotating and walking. My challenge to you, get a golf fitness exercise program that will make you better at all of the “innate, highly functional” movements! If you do, not only will you be better at golf, but better at life.
4. Stop Practicing
You’ve got new clubs, now get your body moving better for your best game yet! Our members experience:
• Longer Drives • Greatly reduced handicaps • Greater accuracy in their game • Better consistency in their swing • A loss of 20-30 pounds • Playing without pain
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It still makes me laugh how the majority of golfers take the winter off from practice and training and expect to go out in the spring and play the way they did in late summer! Do you think PGA tour pros take the winter off and expect to start in January with a bang and win tournaments right off the bat? NO. You should not go all winter without practicing! This is an ideal time, along with your conditioning program, to make changes to your game! This is a good time to meet with your golf professional and get a plan and practice at it till spring rolls around.
5. Stop Seeing Your Golf Pro
This ties into #4 above. Plain and simple, see your instructor at least once a month and have them create a plan that you can stick to that will lead to your success.
6. Forget to Get a Massage
Because golf is such a one-sided stressful sport, you undoubtedly have asymmetry in your body. Your muscular system can be tight on one side and loose on the other… your muscles need some “lovin” for gosh sakes! Massages will help relieve stress; get rid of accumulated toxins; promote better blood flow; help your lymph system (which
helps fight infections); help you relax; help promote mobility of the joints and flexibility of the muscles; and don’t forget that it just feels good.
7. Forget to See Your Chiropractor
As much as golf is stressful to one side of your body muscularly, it is also stressful on your skeletal system and spine. Therefore you should visit your chiropractor at least once every quarter just to make sure that your neurological system is working optimally. Don’t forget that your neurological system controls every function of your body, so it is essential that it is functioning at its full capacity.
8. Stop Eating Right
Here’s when I beg… PLEASE, PLEASE eat as much organic food as you can! Commercially raised and produced food has shown in research to be a MAJOR cause of disease. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “but Dee, it costs so much more.” First of all, no it doesn’t. If you compare prices, they are similar for the same food products. Secondly, WHO CARES! Isn’t your health more important than anything? If you need to sacrifice, do it somewhere else Do not rob yourself or your family of the best nutrition you can buy. So, again, PLEASE go and support organic food growers by purchasing their products.
9. Forget to Manage Your Stress
This one is easy, do something everyday that will allow you to ‘download” the stressors of the world. Take a walk, take a nap, exercise, play with your kids, play like a kid, eat organic food, and manage your time well.
10. Forget to see a Qualified TPI Fitness Professional
Just like you would hire a professional plumber or car technician to address your specific issues, you should hire a professional to fix your body issues! You must seek those who are most qualified to do this work for you. Do not go to just your average personal trainer!
So if you have a desire to be a better golfer, follow these “Top Ten things you Shouldn’t do This winter,” not only will you enjoy a better game come spring, but all other parts of your life will improve as well! Enjoy! D
Email: dee@coloradogolffitnessclub.com Website: www.coloradogolffitnessclub.com