Increasing the speed of your golf swing is a step by step process. First, the golfer must try to address swing issues. If the golf swing is severely flawed, and the golfer always hits a slice, increasing swing speed through fitness training will only result in a bigger slice!
Once we set the golfer on the right bath with the golf swing, then we can address some of the physical factors that may be holding back the swing speed. Bear in mind, in some instances, it may be a physical limitation that makes addressing a swing issue more difficult. That is when an instructor with experience in fitness training may be of value.
In regard to fitness training, the first area that should be addressed is flexibility. If the golfer is incapable of developing a full backswing with a shoulder turn of 90 degrees and the ability to get the golf club parallel to the ground at the top of the swing, then stretching will be a key ingredient to generating more power in the golf swing.
If the golfer has the ability to make that full backswing, but is still not generating adequate club speed, then strength training should become the focus. Since the legs are the foundation of the golf swing, that is where strength training should begin. Often times it is poor balance as a result of weak legs that may hold a golfer back.
After the leg strength is addressed, the next most important area is the core. In fact, core strength is probably just as important as leg strength when it comes to increasing swing speed. I have a friend who is a long drive champion and who now trains other potential long drive champions, and he mentions that “I am all about the core.” And, when you watch him work out, you know that he truly believes that. He can hit 300 yard drives off his knees, and that can only be done with tremendous core strength.
So what exactly is the core? It is the area between the pectoral muscles and the upper thighs. In other words, it is mainly the muscles in the abdomen and rib cage, the obliques, the middle and lower back muscles, the glutes and the hip flexors. These muscle groups are important for stability and balance, and for providing rotational force in the golf swing.
When you check out many of the routines the PGA tour players are using these days, much of them focus on developing core strength through the use of balance balls, medicine balls and training bands. However, more traditional abdominal and other exercises will also do a good job at developing your core muscles.
So if you truly want to get that extra yardage off the tee, start focusing more on training your core muscles. When you combine that training with increased flexibility and leg strength, I guarantee you will see increased clubhead speed and yardage off the tee!
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
End of Golf Season?
Well, here in the Northeast/MidAtlantic region of the U.S., the weather has cooled and golf season is winding down, or is it? Maybe you won't be able to play your local golf course once the biting chill of November hits, but that is no reason to cease working on your game! From now until about mid-December, the weather will still be reasonable enough in the southern MidAtlantic (basically, south of Richmond, VA), and still close enough to take a long weekend to play a little golf. After that, as the season wears on, the further south you must go.
Still, if you don't have the opportunity to get away for a few days, find your nearby indoor golf range to hit a few balls and maybe work on your short game. Or, check out where you can play a round of golf on an indoor golf simulator.
Most importantly, this is the time of year to work on body improvements that can help your golf swing. As we get older, we tend to lose flexibility and strength if we do not keep up with our workouts. However, studies have shown that it is still possible to build muscle int our 70s and beyond.
It is my belief that this time of year is the best time to really go to work on your body and your golf swing! By combining strength training, stretching, and golf specific exercises along with a thorough understanding of what you want to do with your golf swing, you can make significant improvements in the off season. Then, when Spring arrives, you will have full confidence in your swing, and you can focus on your short game, where you will be able to drastically reduce your scores!
Go see your golf instructor now to set up your plan for Winter Golf Training!
Scott Cole
powergolftraining.net
Still, if you don't have the opportunity to get away for a few days, find your nearby indoor golf range to hit a few balls and maybe work on your short game. Or, check out where you can play a round of golf on an indoor golf simulator.
Most importantly, this is the time of year to work on body improvements that can help your golf swing. As we get older, we tend to lose flexibility and strength if we do not keep up with our workouts. However, studies have shown that it is still possible to build muscle int our 70s and beyond.
It is my belief that this time of year is the best time to really go to work on your body and your golf swing! By combining strength training, stretching, and golf specific exercises along with a thorough understanding of what you want to do with your golf swing, you can make significant improvements in the off season. Then, when Spring arrives, you will have full confidence in your swing, and you can focus on your short game, where you will be able to drastically reduce your scores!
Go see your golf instructor now to set up your plan for Winter Golf Training!
Scott Cole
powergolftraining.net
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Balance is Key to Powerful Golf Swing
Having good balance is an absolute necessity for generating a powerful golf swing. If you do not have a strong foundation, then you simply will not have the ability to generate a full turn, and thus, you will lose power in the swing.
But, what are the keys to good balance? Well, this is where improved fitness comes in. Probably the most significant muscle involved in proper balance is the hamstring. Not only must it be flexible, it must be strong.
The hamstrings must first be flexible. The reason for this is that the hamstrings, through the glutes, are tied to the lower back. Since it is crucial to maintain a straight spine angle throughout the golf swing, there is pressure on the lower back. The lower back gets support from the glutes and hamstrings. So, if the hamstrings are not flexible, they will not provide proper support to the lower back muscles. This is one reason why many golfers suffer from a tight back during and after a round of golf.
First, determine your own personal flexibility with a little test. We’ve all done this! While keeping your legs straight, bend at the waist slowly and try to touch your toes. Can you do this? If not, you need to work on stretching the hamstrings.
I generally prefer stretching one leg at a time. Here is my stretching routine for the hamstrings:
Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you. Pull the right foot in so that the bottom of the foot touches the inside of the left knee. Point the toes of the left foot straight up. Keeping your back as straight as possible, reach down to the leg, starting at the knee, and move your body forward, pushing the chest toward the knee. Reach further down the leg as far down as you can go, and try to draw the chest as close to the knee as possible. Once you have hit your limit, feeling a good stretch, hold that position for 15 seconds. Try and relax as much as possible, then try to reach further down the leg to the ankle or foot and move the chest even closer to the knee, and hold for another 15 seconds. Slowly rise up, and switch legs, repeating this sequence.
In order to work on strengthening the hamstrings, my favorite exercise, since it also works the quadriceps, is the step-back lunge. This exercise is performed as follows:
Standing with your feet shoulder width apart, holding a pair of dumbbells, step back with the left foot at one full step, and sink down into a lunge position with your right leg. Your upper right leg should be parallel to the floor. Hold this position for a second, then push off with the left foot and return to the starting position. Repeat by stepping back with the right foot and sink down into a lunge position with the left leg. Repeat each side for 8 to 12 repetitions, so don’t use a heavy weight.
If you can develop flexible and strong hamstrings, you will better be able to get into a good golf posture, and maintain that spine angle through impact, and that is the key to solid, consistent ball striking.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
But, what are the keys to good balance? Well, this is where improved fitness comes in. Probably the most significant muscle involved in proper balance is the hamstring. Not only must it be flexible, it must be strong.
The hamstrings must first be flexible. The reason for this is that the hamstrings, through the glutes, are tied to the lower back. Since it is crucial to maintain a straight spine angle throughout the golf swing, there is pressure on the lower back. The lower back gets support from the glutes and hamstrings. So, if the hamstrings are not flexible, they will not provide proper support to the lower back muscles. This is one reason why many golfers suffer from a tight back during and after a round of golf.
First, determine your own personal flexibility with a little test. We’ve all done this! While keeping your legs straight, bend at the waist slowly and try to touch your toes. Can you do this? If not, you need to work on stretching the hamstrings.
I generally prefer stretching one leg at a time. Here is my stretching routine for the hamstrings:
Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you. Pull the right foot in so that the bottom of the foot touches the inside of the left knee. Point the toes of the left foot straight up. Keeping your back as straight as possible, reach down to the leg, starting at the knee, and move your body forward, pushing the chest toward the knee. Reach further down the leg as far down as you can go, and try to draw the chest as close to the knee as possible. Once you have hit your limit, feeling a good stretch, hold that position for 15 seconds. Try and relax as much as possible, then try to reach further down the leg to the ankle or foot and move the chest even closer to the knee, and hold for another 15 seconds. Slowly rise up, and switch legs, repeating this sequence.
In order to work on strengthening the hamstrings, my favorite exercise, since it also works the quadriceps, is the step-back lunge. This exercise is performed as follows:
Standing with your feet shoulder width apart, holding a pair of dumbbells, step back with the left foot at one full step, and sink down into a lunge position with your right leg. Your upper right leg should be parallel to the floor. Hold this position for a second, then push off with the left foot and return to the starting position. Repeat by stepping back with the right foot and sink down into a lunge position with the left leg. Repeat each side for 8 to 12 repetitions, so don’t use a heavy weight.
If you can develop flexible and strong hamstrings, you will better be able to get into a good golf posture, and maintain that spine angle through impact, and that is the key to solid, consistent ball striking.
Scott Cole
www.powergolftraining.net
Monday, October 19, 2009
Golf Swing and Fitness Tip - Weighted Club
Over time, I've done some experimenting with a variety of golf exercises and golf exercise equipment. One of the most effective tools I have found is the weighted club. However, my idea of the most effective use of the weighted club has nothing to do with getting more strength from swinging it, or using it to warm up before the round. Instead, I view it as an excellent tool for learning how to make a better golf swing.
Back in February, I had the opportunity to receive a personal golf lesson from Hank Haney while attending his teaching seminar at his Haney Golf Ranch near Dallas. During that lesson, he put me in a variety of positions throughout the golf swing so that I could get a feel for getting the club on a better swing plane.
During the season, I clearly made some good improvements to my swing, but I am still nowhere near where I want to be. Recently, I started working with the weighted club. The club I use is produced by Golf Gym, and it comes with a formed grip to teach you the proper grip fundamentals.
First I simply work on the takeaway. I swing the club into the takeaway position 5 or 10 times and then I move it to the top of the back swing. I put it in the position that Hank Haney wants me to have it. I do a full back swing 5 or 10 times, and then I work on the initial portion of the down swing. Then I work through the follow through. Finally, I swing the club slowly through the entire golf swing about 5 or 10 times.
What this does is provide the body and brain greater feedback for the positions you want to be in throughout the swing. Since there is some strain to keep the weighted club in place at the various positions in the swing, it provides stronger feedback. Then, when you grab a normal club, you are better able to swing it the way you want to.
I highly recommend use of this training tool throughout the season.
Scott Cole
http://www.powergolftraining.net
Back in February, I had the opportunity to receive a personal golf lesson from Hank Haney while attending his teaching seminar at his Haney Golf Ranch near Dallas. During that lesson, he put me in a variety of positions throughout the golf swing so that I could get a feel for getting the club on a better swing plane.
During the season, I clearly made some good improvements to my swing, but I am still nowhere near where I want to be. Recently, I started working with the weighted club. The club I use is produced by Golf Gym, and it comes with a formed grip to teach you the proper grip fundamentals.
First I simply work on the takeaway. I swing the club into the takeaway position 5 or 10 times and then I move it to the top of the back swing. I put it in the position that Hank Haney wants me to have it. I do a full back swing 5 or 10 times, and then I work on the initial portion of the down swing. Then I work through the follow through. Finally, I swing the club slowly through the entire golf swing about 5 or 10 times.
What this does is provide the body and brain greater feedback for the positions you want to be in throughout the swing. Since there is some strain to keep the weighted club in place at the various positions in the swing, it provides stronger feedback. Then, when you grab a normal club, you are better able to swing it the way you want to.
I highly recommend use of this training tool throughout the season.
Scott Cole
http://www.powergolftraining.net
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Thoughts on the Mental Game of Golf
I was recently asked by a student whether they should purchase some info from the internet regarding the mental game of golf. There is an awful lot of material out there regarding various mental approaches to golf. There are even a number of well known sports psychologists out there who work with PGA pros to improve their mental skills.
However, not once have I ever heard of a top player, and I mean a top player such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, ever employ the services of a sports psychologist or mental coach. What these mental coaches do, however, is suggest that they know the secrets of Tiger and Jack in regard to their mental approach, as if the average golfer can apply those secrets to their own game.
Whenever I have heard of any Tour player employ the services of a sports psychologist, that golfer is usually someone who is desperate to find the answers as to why they can’t win more golf tournaments. In my view, the answer to that question is simple: they are not mentally tough enough because they don’t have enough confidence in their own abilities.
Confidence is the whole key to performing under pressure. However, confidence does not just appear in your game over night. It appears after a lot of hard work on your game AND by playing a lot of golf!
I just viewed a video of Lee Trevino. He said “….you won’t learn much from me…I never had a mental approach. I got my confidence from hard work.”
Trevino worked hard on his game, but that is not all. I’ve read stories of him before his days on the Tour showing up for a match with no money in his pocket and making lots of bets. You want to talk about pressure! Well, that is how you simulate the pressure of a golf tournament. You have to repeatedly put yourself in the position where something is on the line when you stand up to the tee on the 18th hole, or you are faced with that all important 6 foot putt. If you never do that with yourself, you will never learn how to deal with the pressure that just comes from playing in the 3rd flight in your club championship!
I find it very interesting that you find very few, if any, books written about the mental game by any top player. Sure, there are books that SPECULATE about how Tiger Woods’ developed his mental toughness, but he has never written about the topic himself. The same may be said about Jack Nicklaus who is arguably Tiger’s equal in terms of mental toughness.
On the other hand, there are huge numbers of books written about the golf swing, putting or short game. The fact is, none of these players worry about the mental game. Instead, they focus on executing their swing as best they can, not on some mental tip that suddenly transforms them into a totally relaxed player!
Gaining confidence to perform under pressure is simply a progression. I remember as a teenager, I was a pretty good golfer, playing to a 2 handicap by the time I was 16. I had won a few small junior golf tournaments. But, every time I would play in the men’s club championship at my club, I would play poorly, usually averaging over 80 for two rounds.
Finally, when I was 18, I broke through. That summer I stepped up my game to play well against more experienced players. In one tournament, a better ball of partners format, we were down two shots with one hole to play, a 550 yard par 5. This was back n 1984. I’ve always been a long hitter, so even playing with a persimmon driver, I could reach the green in two. However, on this occasion, it was playing into a little bit of wind. I hit a decent drive, leaving myself about 260-270 yards from the green. I pulled out driver and hit it from the fairway, best shot of my life. It rolled up to about 25 feet to the right of the pin. I was nervous as could be standing over the putt, but I knocked it in for the eagle! Unfortunately, my opponent knocked in a 15 footer on top of me for birdie, and he and his partner won by a shot.
A few weeks later in our club championship, I shot rounds of 74-68 to finish in a tie for first, and lost in a playoff. Now, I knew how to play a great round under pressure to have a chance at winning.
So, you see, gaining this confidence is not something that happens over night. You can learn all the mental tips you want, but if you have a flawed golf swing and no confidence in the ability of that swing to hold up under pressure, you simply won’t perform.
If you really want to see improvement, work on your golf swing, work on your putting and short game, and play as often as possible, and play with something on the line! That is how you will learn to lower your scores!
Scott Cole
powergolftraining.net
However, not once have I ever heard of a top player, and I mean a top player such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, ever employ the services of a sports psychologist or mental coach. What these mental coaches do, however, is suggest that they know the secrets of Tiger and Jack in regard to their mental approach, as if the average golfer can apply those secrets to their own game.
Whenever I have heard of any Tour player employ the services of a sports psychologist, that golfer is usually someone who is desperate to find the answers as to why they can’t win more golf tournaments. In my view, the answer to that question is simple: they are not mentally tough enough because they don’t have enough confidence in their own abilities.
Confidence is the whole key to performing under pressure. However, confidence does not just appear in your game over night. It appears after a lot of hard work on your game AND by playing a lot of golf!
I just viewed a video of Lee Trevino. He said “….you won’t learn much from me…I never had a mental approach. I got my confidence from hard work.”
Trevino worked hard on his game, but that is not all. I’ve read stories of him before his days on the Tour showing up for a match with no money in his pocket and making lots of bets. You want to talk about pressure! Well, that is how you simulate the pressure of a golf tournament. You have to repeatedly put yourself in the position where something is on the line when you stand up to the tee on the 18th hole, or you are faced with that all important 6 foot putt. If you never do that with yourself, you will never learn how to deal with the pressure that just comes from playing in the 3rd flight in your club championship!
I find it very interesting that you find very few, if any, books written about the mental game by any top player. Sure, there are books that SPECULATE about how Tiger Woods’ developed his mental toughness, but he has never written about the topic himself. The same may be said about Jack Nicklaus who is arguably Tiger’s equal in terms of mental toughness.
On the other hand, there are huge numbers of books written about the golf swing, putting or short game. The fact is, none of these players worry about the mental game. Instead, they focus on executing their swing as best they can, not on some mental tip that suddenly transforms them into a totally relaxed player!
Gaining confidence to perform under pressure is simply a progression. I remember as a teenager, I was a pretty good golfer, playing to a 2 handicap by the time I was 16. I had won a few small junior golf tournaments. But, every time I would play in the men’s club championship at my club, I would play poorly, usually averaging over 80 for two rounds.
Finally, when I was 18, I broke through. That summer I stepped up my game to play well against more experienced players. In one tournament, a better ball of partners format, we were down two shots with one hole to play, a 550 yard par 5. This was back n 1984. I’ve always been a long hitter, so even playing with a persimmon driver, I could reach the green in two. However, on this occasion, it was playing into a little bit of wind. I hit a decent drive, leaving myself about 260-270 yards from the green. I pulled out driver and hit it from the fairway, best shot of my life. It rolled up to about 25 feet to the right of the pin. I was nervous as could be standing over the putt, but I knocked it in for the eagle! Unfortunately, my opponent knocked in a 15 footer on top of me for birdie, and he and his partner won by a shot.
A few weeks later in our club championship, I shot rounds of 74-68 to finish in a tie for first, and lost in a playoff. Now, I knew how to play a great round under pressure to have a chance at winning.
So, you see, gaining this confidence is not something that happens over night. You can learn all the mental tips you want, but if you have a flawed golf swing and no confidence in the ability of that swing to hold up under pressure, you simply won’t perform.
If you really want to see improvement, work on your golf swing, work on your putting and short game, and play as often as possible, and play with something on the line! That is how you will learn to lower your scores!
Scott Cole
powergolftraining.net
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