Physical Fitness

It is a revolutionary fitness training program designed specifically to help you play better golf. The program focuses on the individual characteristics of your body and how they relate to golf: the way you stand, address, bend, move, swing and follow through. The program is custom designed to address your specific needs and will include in-depth instruction to enhance your posture, strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, control, power and endurance.

There are several drills and tests that you can do to determine whether or not this program could benefit you. The first is a Standing Sway Test. The purpose of this test is to determine the balance point of the body without the aid of the visual system. This test will provide clues as to how the body will adjust when off center.

The goal is for the body to stay centered when the eyes are closed and to produce no signs of compensatory movement when standing and the eyes are closed.

To do this, stand comforably with weight centered over both feet. With the eyes closed, stand quietly and have someone record the results. The signs to look for are any movement, either forward or backward, or from side to side. Maybe a combination of movements or any other movement that was away from the centered position.

Another test is a trunk turn drill. The goal of this test is to create a 90 degree angle between the spine and the club shaft to optimize rotation of the upper back and trunk. The purpose is to permit optimal turn of the trunk in relation to the club shaft around a fixed axis, such as the pelvis.

To do this, take a club and hold it locked across your chest. While sitting on a stool, turn the upper body in the direction of your backswing. Evaluate the degree of turn in the backswing followed by the degree of turn in your follow through. The degree of turn should be 90 degrees on the backswing as well as the follow through.

In next weeks issue, we will have two more drills or tests for you. You may also complete the below form and fax it to Mark Read at Athletic Advantage for a free screening and consultation.