IS THERE A DISCONNECTION BETWEEN PLAYING GOLF & GOLF FITNESS
How does golf fitness help you score better?
After a game of golf with a really good mate we were chatting and the topic came up about a disconnect between playing golf and training for golf fitness. It got me thinking though that there might be a disconnect or a misunderstanding how the benefits of golf fitness carry over onto the golf course.
Mobility – Longevity and injury prevention are a huge, huge part of golf fitness. We want to play the game we love for as long as possible. Even over the short term, we’d like not to have injury stop us playing consistently. However, injury prevention aside how does mobility help you score better? Being able to move through a full range of motion (or having the mobility) means being able to have the golf swing you are thriving. It will help you get into the positions you need to create a more efficient golf swing. Efficient means a better swing plane which leads to a better club path and more consistent ball striking. Efficiency means that the effort you put in gets put to good use – your energy isn’t wasted. You will be striking the ball with better consistency and accuracy, which will help bring your score down.
Stability – This is similar to mobility in that being more stable is going to help create a better swing plane and lead to a better club path. Stability really is huge when you think about the carryover onto the golf course: How many shots do you hit from a perfectly flat surface? (Even in the perfect scenario of flat surfaces you still need stability in order to have control over your joints in the extreme ranges you have to work in to generate maximal power.) Working on stability is going to help by making it easier hit consistent and accurate shots from undulating lies.
Power - Stability is a foundation to power. From a stable base we create power. Being able to generate more power produces a faster swing speed which is then going to create more yardage off the tee. Why do you want to gain more yardage off the tee or on any shot? Well let me ask you this question: Would you rather hit a 3 iron or a 6 iron? Or a 7 iron or a wedge? The further down the bag you go the more accurate you can be with that club. More accuracy will give you more chance at getting birdies and pars.
Golf fitness is not an alternative to working with your swing coach. It is not there to replace swing practice. Swing practice and getting help with your swing is hugely important. Golf fitness is there to work hand in hand with what your pro or swing coach is teaching you. The techniques and swing protocols given by your coach are easier to implement when mobile, stable, strong and powerful. In time you will see your scores coming down.