Each new year brings new products, new clubs, helpful training aids, and another claim for the “Longest Ball in Golf-” what ever that is! In college my major was Exercise Science, and it gave me the necessary insight of the most major point that we must all understand to play well. . .we are all limited by the physiology that the good Lord gave us- Period. Not all of us have the flexibility to turn like Daly, or were born with as many fast twitch muscle fibers, giving us the ability to move as quickly as Tiger; but, we all can maximize our own personal abilities through a few simple exercises for a better overall game. I have prescribed golf specific exercise programs for players like Shawn Micheel, Tim Jackson, and Will Sowles to name a few. . .The need for better physical conditioning to improve ones’ golf game is VITAL at ALL LEVELS, not just the top!!

1) The Back- It’s here we want to focus on the Erector Spinea muscles, which are the muscles entwining the spine involved with maintaining erect posture.
CAPTION: Lie on your stomach and press down with your hands to elevate your upper back and head. Next, lift your lower back to the sky in a balling motion.
Picture of hyperextension strech-2

2) The Abdominals- By strengthening the abdominal set of muscles namely the rectus and transverse abdominis, internal and external obliques; we allow pressure to be taken off the lower lumber area of the back by not allowing us to slump over forward. Tight abdominals keep the belly in and the back straight. CAPTION: Focus on a spot on the ceiling, you have an apple under your chin, slowly lift your head and shoulders off the floor (about 4-6 inches). The low back always remains in contact with the floor!
Picture of Crunches--1

3) The Legs- By stretching and strengthening the quadriceps, hamstrings, grastrocnemius, and soleus muscles to name a few in the leg we will gain a more stable platform in order to support movement. You will never see a Tour Professional without a strong lower body. CAPTION: Standing next to a chair squat up/down slowly- NOT past 90 degrees at the knees though!
Picture of wall squats-1

4) The Hands and Arms- If you have ever seen the numerous number and layout of flexors (8) and extensor muscles (12) that control the digits, hands, and forearms you would be amazed! It’s in this complex array of muscles that our only contact with the club comes. We must strengthen and tone these muscles thus increasing our awareness and feel of the club during the swing, as well as stopping any excessive grip pressure fluctuations, due to a faulty swing motion or muscle imbalance. CAPTION: Use a five-pound dumbbell, your forearm rests on your leg, first use slow palm up motions, then use palm down wrist curling motions as well.
Pictures of palm up, palm, down movements-2

If you will concentrate on strengthening and improving the few areas listed above your golf game will never suffer from a lack of muscular turger or control. Never let your body slow you down in this game it’s hard enough anyway! Questions about setting up your own specific swing flaw based neuro-muscular golf training program please call.