Playing in all manner of weather conditions and on courses that are demanding physically and mentally, today's golfers can benefit from a regular exercise programme that will help to improve and maintain their endurance, strength, power and flexibility.
Golf puts demands on the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. Played these days over a period of three to five hours, the heart and lungs need to be able to cope with the effort when walking briskly up the hills and keeping up with the pace of play without feeling tired. Similarly, the body's muscular system is put under pressure in terms of endurance, strength and power. Regardless of their age or level at which they play, golfers want to hit the ball as far as possible, especially with the driver. Therefore, it is important to keep the muscles strong, enabling them to endure continuous work and generate the force needed to hit the ball with balance and control. The ability to create the power needed to hit the ball long and straight also requires good flexibility in the spine, hips and hamstrings as well as strengthening of the stabilising muscles in the trunk that maintain good posture.
On the tee, a player aims to generate as much club head speed as possible. This is done by the action of the 'kinetic chain'. The energy generated in the legs is transferred through the hips to the torso, enhanced by force generated in the large muscles of the back, chest and abdomen, then travels into the wrist and hands through to the club. This 'kinetic chain' relies on strength and flexibility as well as good technique and is only possible with a high level of fitness. This cannot be developed by just playing golf.
Andrew has done training in golfing injuries and technique and can advise a number of methods for developing and sustaining the necessary fitness to improve and maintain a good skill level. This kind of treatment can focus on restoring the balance that your body loses during the physical movements required of a golfer.
Constantly forcing the body in one direction and with such continuous force, you may experience stiffness, muscular imbalance and this further puts you at risk for chronic pain and repeated injuries. All of these are things that could significantly affect your performance and stamina.
The body is great at adapting to what is needed to complete any physical movement but golfers become unaware of the damage the repetitive and strenuous movements can cause. If you were to look at your body as a machine, then this would be the maintenance schedule to ensure that it runs smoothly with prolonging the life cycle of the machine.
For more information or to arrange an appointment with Andrew, call 0191 243 12 16