As the winter weather continues here in Pennsylvania, I continue to reflect on ways to improve my game, and the game of my students while the golf clubs are stuck in the garage.
One of the popular physical fitness terms to pop up in recent years is "core fitness." In the old days, the only exercise we did to work on our stomach was the good old fashioned sit-up, and the old fashioned crunch.
Now, however, we realize that to truly work your core, you must engage all of the muscles around the mid-section, including the back, the obliques, and those muscles that connect the ribs. In other words, there is a lot more to a strong core than just having a nice six-pack of abs.
One exercise I learned this year that works well to hit most of these areas is the Mason Twist. You can perform this in your home with no equipment as follows.
Sit down on the floor with your knees bent in a sit-up position, feet flat on the floor. Interlock your hands and place them in your lap. Now, lift your feet off the floor. The exercise is then done by twisting your body, and touching your interlocked hands to the floor on the side of the body you are twisting toward. Then twist to the other side until the hands touch the floor on the other side of the body. In other words, when you twist to the left, the back of your left hand will touch the floor to the left of your body, and when you twist to the right, the back of your right hand will touch the floor to the right of your body.
You want to do this exercise as quickly as possible with this full range of motion, and as many times as possible. This is a killer exercise when you do it at the end of a full abdominal routine. If you can't do the full range of motion (you will have more difficulty if you have a big belly!) go as far as you can to each side before turning to the other side. Do as many as you can, and work your way up to 50 reps if possible!
This exercise will help your body get used to the type of hip and shoulder turn you are looking for in your golf swing!
Scott Cole
www.PowerGolfTraining.net
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Golf Specific Exercise?
As I have conducted my research into the golf fitness ideas presented on the internet, I am struck by the number of sites that offer "golf specific" exercises, as if these are the magic bullets to hitting the ball as far as Tiger but with the accuracy of Fred Funk. Sorry, but that is pure bunk. But, a lot of us are on the internet to sell something, so maybe that is one way to go for some people.
However, you should consider this when doing your own research into a fitness program to improve your golf game: the golf swing utilizes the ENTIRE body, so, doesn't it make sense that you need to work out your entire body if you see it as a way to improve your golf game? What possible "golf specific" exercise could work out the legs, back, shoulders, arms and core all at once? Hopefully, you came to the same conclusion as I have that the answer is NONE!
I've also noticed some exercises on these websites that target ONE muscle or one small muscle group. Again, that is nonsense and a complete waste of your time. But, most of the people selling those types of exercise programs do not have another job that occupies their entire day, like most people do. And, the fact is, most golfers want to work on their game, rather than work on their body.
That is why I developed a program that you can do in as little as 15 minutes a day if that is all the time you have, and you can do it from your own home. It hits all the major muscle groups, and requires absolutely no equipment. You can even do it on days that you have to go to work before you head out to the golf course to get that 9 holes, or even 18 holes in during the late afternoon, evening hours in the summer.
So, keep all this in mind when you are checking out the various golf fitness websites out there on the internet.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
However, you should consider this when doing your own research into a fitness program to improve your golf game: the golf swing utilizes the ENTIRE body, so, doesn't it make sense that you need to work out your entire body if you see it as a way to improve your golf game? What possible "golf specific" exercise could work out the legs, back, shoulders, arms and core all at once? Hopefully, you came to the same conclusion as I have that the answer is NONE!
I've also noticed some exercises on these websites that target ONE muscle or one small muscle group. Again, that is nonsense and a complete waste of your time. But, most of the people selling those types of exercise programs do not have another job that occupies their entire day, like most people do. And, the fact is, most golfers want to work on their game, rather than work on their body.
That is why I developed a program that you can do in as little as 15 minutes a day if that is all the time you have, and you can do it from your own home. It hits all the major muscle groups, and requires absolutely no equipment. You can even do it on days that you have to go to work before you head out to the golf course to get that 9 holes, or even 18 holes in during the late afternoon, evening hours in the summer.
So, keep all this in mind when you are checking out the various golf fitness websites out there on the internet.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Winter Golf Conditioning
As I stressed in a recent post, for those of us who live in cold winter climates, this time of year does not need to go to waste when it comes to improving your golf game. In fact, you can actually make great strides toward improving your game when the season arrives again by improving your fitness and conditioning.
At PowerGolfTraining.net, I present a workout plan based upon the principles of Kung Fu. It is a plan that does not require you to join a gym, and you do not need ANY equipment whatsoever. That plan focuses primarily upon strength training, flexibility and relaxation techniques.
One aspect of golf conditioning I presently do not stress at PowerGolfTraining.net is aerobic conditioning. If you need to shed a few pounds, aerobic conditioning must play an important role in your workout regimen. Aerobic conditioning can involve something as simple as jogging, cycling and swimming, or something more complex such as kickboxing.
One of the best aerobic workouts I have come across in recent years is the Plyometrics workout in the P90X series of workouts promoted by Tony Horton. You can see the P90X infomercials running quite often every weekend. Their site is beachbody.com.
The Plyometrics workout is a somewhat high impact aerobic workout involving jump training. So, this workout is generally for people in decent shape already, and who do not have knee, back or ankle issues. The workout lasts for about 50 minutes altogether, and will help improve your cardiovascular conditioning quite rapidly if you do the workout consistently a couple days per week. It will also help to improve your leg strength, agility and balance.
So, for the serious golfer looking to kick things up a notch, I highly recommend the entire P90X workout, but the Plyometrics workout in particular.
Scott Cole
www.PowerGolfTraining.net
At PowerGolfTraining.net, I present a workout plan based upon the principles of Kung Fu. It is a plan that does not require you to join a gym, and you do not need ANY equipment whatsoever. That plan focuses primarily upon strength training, flexibility and relaxation techniques.
One aspect of golf conditioning I presently do not stress at PowerGolfTraining.net is aerobic conditioning. If you need to shed a few pounds, aerobic conditioning must play an important role in your workout regimen. Aerobic conditioning can involve something as simple as jogging, cycling and swimming, or something more complex such as kickboxing.
One of the best aerobic workouts I have come across in recent years is the Plyometrics workout in the P90X series of workouts promoted by Tony Horton. You can see the P90X infomercials running quite often every weekend. Their site is beachbody.com.
The Plyometrics workout is a somewhat high impact aerobic workout involving jump training. So, this workout is generally for people in decent shape already, and who do not have knee, back or ankle issues. The workout lasts for about 50 minutes altogether, and will help improve your cardiovascular conditioning quite rapidly if you do the workout consistently a couple days per week. It will also help to improve your leg strength, agility and balance.
So, for the serious golfer looking to kick things up a notch, I highly recommend the entire P90X workout, but the Plyometrics workout in particular.
Scott Cole
www.PowerGolfTraining.net
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Winter Golf
Here in Southcentral Pennsylvania, we have a couple leagues where you can play a tournament round of golf at least once a week. Pros and amateurs are invited to play, and, unless there is a lot of snow on the ground, or the course is unplayable, a good number of golfers will brave the elements.
Personally, I've been more of a fair weather player, and prefer temperatures at least above 45 degrees. If you are similar to me, there is no need to waste your golf down time.
With that in mind, winter is a great time to work on your body, because a more fit body will help your game immensely. If you are carrying some extra weight, winter time is a good time to shed those extra pounds. I guarantee it will help your golf game as it will be more easy to swing the golf club, not to mention get around the golf course.
I recommend a program that combines the three primary elements of fitness: aerobic conditioning, flexibility training, and strength training. In as little as 15-20 minutes each day, you can accomplish quite a bit, particularly if you combine fitness training with positive changes in your diet, if indeed your diet needs changes!
Don't let your time away from golf be a waste! Even without your clubs in hand, you can make improvements to your golf game!
Scott Cole
www.PowerGolfTraining.net
Personally, I've been more of a fair weather player, and prefer temperatures at least above 45 degrees. If you are similar to me, there is no need to waste your golf down time.
With that in mind, winter is a great time to work on your body, because a more fit body will help your game immensely. If you are carrying some extra weight, winter time is a good time to shed those extra pounds. I guarantee it will help your golf game as it will be more easy to swing the golf club, not to mention get around the golf course.
I recommend a program that combines the three primary elements of fitness: aerobic conditioning, flexibility training, and strength training. In as little as 15-20 minutes each day, you can accomplish quite a bit, particularly if you combine fitness training with positive changes in your diet, if indeed your diet needs changes!
Don't let your time away from golf be a waste! Even without your clubs in hand, you can make improvements to your golf game!
Scott Cole
www.PowerGolfTraining.net
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Staying in touch with your game during the cold months
Well, here in Pennsylvania, we are in the midst of our first cold spell of the season, with temperatures forecast in the 30's and low 40's for the next ten days. As a result, few golfers will be venturing to the golf course, except for the diehards of course! However, this doesn't mean you need to let go of your game.
As most of us know, the toughest part of the game to get back when the new season begins is the short game. In those first couple of rounds of the season, we may even hit the ball pretty well, since we have no expectations. But, we miss a few chip shots and the putter just doesn't feel right in our hands.
However, this does not have to happen! The easiest part of the short game to work on at home is your putting. Now is a good time to groove that stroke, and one way to do that is to pick up a Pelz Putting Track. This tool will help you groove a pure putting stroke through a bit of practice. You can find this product at www.pelzgolf.com. 50-100 strokes per day within the putting track is all you need to groove your stroke.
To those of you who live in the warmer climates, I am jealous! But, my goal is to join you one day! To the rest of you like me, stay warm and keep in touch with your game!
Scott Cole
www.PowerGolfTraining.net
As most of us know, the toughest part of the game to get back when the new season begins is the short game. In those first couple of rounds of the season, we may even hit the ball pretty well, since we have no expectations. But, we miss a few chip shots and the putter just doesn't feel right in our hands.
However, this does not have to happen! The easiest part of the short game to work on at home is your putting. Now is a good time to groove that stroke, and one way to do that is to pick up a Pelz Putting Track. This tool will help you groove a pure putting stroke through a bit of practice. You can find this product at www.pelzgolf.com. 50-100 strokes per day within the putting track is all you need to groove your stroke.
To those of you who live in the warmer climates, I am jealous! But, my goal is to join you one day! To the rest of you like me, stay warm and keep in touch with your game!
Scott Cole
www.PowerGolfTraining.net
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Today's Golf Thought
I checked out J.B. Holmes' website last night. If you recall, he was one of the star performers in the recent Ryder Cup victory for the U.S. over Europe. He is number 2 in driving distance on the PGA Tour this year, even though is under 6 feet tall.
David Leadbetter has a commentary on Holmes' golf swing on the Holmes website, which reads as follows:
"Stocky and barrel-chested, J.B. is an immensely strong and talented young man. He has huge forearms and plays with a strong left-hand grip, making the kind of compact action I think we'll move toward in the modern swing. His big upper-body turn, lower-body resistance and explosive first move down are the keys to his power. Starting down, his legs get into a squat position, which lets him use the ground as resistance and create an unbelievable energy flow from his legs, up through his shoulders and down into his arms and the club. His swing is simple but powerful--no wonder the driver is his favorite club. Combine strength, physics and solid technique, and you have not only distance, but good iron play."
As you can see, I have bolded a portion of this analysis regarding the function of the legs in J.B. Holmes swing. This is a key thought in the training of a martial artist as well, drawing the energy from the ground up through the legs and ultimately out through the hands. This is how a good martial artist generates significant power in his punches.
I learned these ideas and techniques when I trained at our Pai Lum Kung Fu school here in Harrisburg, PA, and they are a key component of the power generating ideas I present in my e-book "How to Improve Your Golf Power." Check it out!
Scott Cole
www.PowerGolfTraining.net
David Leadbetter has a commentary on Holmes' golf swing on the Holmes website, which reads as follows:
"Stocky and barrel-chested, J.B. is an immensely strong and talented young man. He has huge forearms and plays with a strong left-hand grip, making the kind of compact action I think we'll move toward in the modern swing. His big upper-body turn, lower-body resistance and explosive first move down are the keys to his power. Starting down, his legs get into a squat position, which lets him use the ground as resistance and create an unbelievable energy flow from his legs, up through his shoulders and down into his arms and the club. His swing is simple but powerful--no wonder the driver is his favorite club. Combine strength, physics and solid technique, and you have not only distance, but good iron play."
As you can see, I have bolded a portion of this analysis regarding the function of the legs in J.B. Holmes swing. This is a key thought in the training of a martial artist as well, drawing the energy from the ground up through the legs and ultimately out through the hands. This is how a good martial artist generates significant power in his punches.
I learned these ideas and techniques when I trained at our Pai Lum Kung Fu school here in Harrisburg, PA, and they are a key component of the power generating ideas I present in my e-book "How to Improve Your Golf Power." Check it out!
Scott Cole
www.PowerGolfTraining.net
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
