Top Tips For Improving Your Golf

For Better Golf Results, Try These Fast Fixes

The golf season is upon us again. Long, warm, sunny evenings in which you can play golf until late into the night. Doesn’t it feel great?

Is your body ready for the game and is it fit to play golf to the extreme?

If you want better results and fast, then read on for my Top 10 Tips on how you can get great results, improve your game and prevent injuries.

1. Let's assess
   I bet that when you have a practice swing before you hit the ball on the course, you’re practice shot is perfect but somewhere along the way, your body alters it’s pattern, so when you actually hit the ball, it’s nothing like the practice swing. Sound familiar?
   This is mainly because your body is out of balance, which means you may have some muscles that are long and taut and some that are short and tight. ‘Every body’ is different and for this reason you should get a golf flexibility assessment to determine your particular requirements.

2. Daily dose of stretching
   Quite simply, a golfer requires adequate flexibility to be able to play golf to his or her full potential. Some people are naturally flexible, for those who aren’t this can easily be developed. If you want to avoid injuries such as back, shoulder, wrist, hip and knee injuries or if you have any of these already, then you need to follow an individual flexibility programme daily.

3. Warm to warm-ups
   Pre-game warm-up sessions are a must. A golf-specific warm-up will:

• Lubricate your joints
• Warm your muscles and connective tissues
• Activate your nervous system
• Sharpen your senses.

4. Cool-down
   Too often, golfers will walk off the 18^th green and bolt….straight into the club-house. It’s crucial to take just a few minutes to do some golf specific stretches and lower your heart rate. Not only will cooling-down improve your flexibility but it will also get you in top-form for your next game. 

5. Nutrition Mission
   If you want to play like a pro, you need to eat like a pro. Golfers are athletes and need to perform as one. I’m afraid this means ditching the coffee and bacon roll! To maximise your potential, get into the habit of eating clean at least 80% of the time.
   I recommend reading ‘Nutritional Leverage For Great Golf’ by Cherie Tripp if you’re serious about getting fit for golf on the whole.

6. Golf fitness professionals
   Believe it or not, there are actually qualified Golf Fitness Professionals that can give you expert advice, have a solid understanding of golf and who can help you achieve an attainable goal. Whether that goal is to increase your drive by 20 yards or just to be able to get around the course without fatigue, aches or pains, seeking the advice of a Golf Fitness Professional is good advice.
   Supporting your PGA Coach, together the two can help you reach your maximum playing potential.

7. Well equipped?
   One size certainly doesn’t fit all, especially when it comes to your clubs. Spending anywhere up to £300 for a new driver is a costly gamble, as there are no guarantees that new equipment will give you a better game. Good results from having new equipment may only produce temporary results.
   Invest in your body. It’s the golfer that plays the game, not the clubs.

8. Don’t get weighed down with weights
   Many golfers believe that they need to lift heavy weights to improve their body for golf. If you’re going to the gym to lift weights as part of your golf training (unless you are in the final phases of a golf specific conditioning programme), then think again!
   The primary goal for carrying out a weight training programme is to build and isolate muscles to encourage growth, exactly what you don’t want as a golfer. An effective exercise programme is designed to integrate the whole body. Golf is dependant on precision timing, control, accuracy and skill; bodybuilding does not include these components. If you want to achieve great results for improving your function as a golfer, then follow a golf-specific conditioning programme that’s designed exclusively for you.

9. Core-Conditioning
   If your body is unstable then you will no doubt have trouble with consistency and accuracy, add this to a postural sway and you’ll never have a hope of even reproducing a good shot consistently.
   The core muscles are absolutely essential to gaining and holding optimal rotation in the backswing and follow-through.
   Using a Swiss Ball to perform exercises is a highly effective fitness tool in treating an existing pain and for the prevention of further injuries. To improve your posture both on and off the course, you will need some Core conditioning

10. Goal Setting
    Start your golf season with an attainable goal. Don’t aim too high as chances are you could be easily discouraged and less likely to continue your new goal-setting strategy.
    Examples of achievable goals could be:

·         Adding 20 yards to your drive

·         Reduce your handicap by 5 shots

·         Consistently perform better under pressure

·         Play 18 holes without fatigue

·         Consistent ball striking

For more information on any of the above, log on to www.extremegolffitness.com

Liz Forrester - Golf Biomechanic & Personal Trainer

liz@extremegolffitness.com