Last week I had the cool opportunity to take part in the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Junior Golf Training Level 2 Certification in Orlando Florida.
And I’ve got a TON of cutting-edge information to share with you, if you’ve got a child or grandchild who is interested in golf (or any other sport).
There is way too much to hit upon in one blog post, so I’ll be revisiting this topic with more detailed segments over the next several months.
In a nutshell: When it comes to junior golf training programs…we are doing it ALL WRONG!
… and when done at the right time (with proper preparation through the essential phases of flexibility, mobility, and strength) and done correctly, it’s just as productive as it is FUN.
In today’s blog post video, you’ll get to watch one of our juniors demonstrate her golf power training using a Tornado Ball.
Check it out:
If you are ready to add these exercises to your training, you can get your own Tornado Ball HERE
Train smart, get powerful, and get after Old Man Par.
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“I just can’t drive the ball as far as I used to” is a common complaint that I hear from my senior (50 and over) golfers when I first meet them.
They want to get back the distance they used to have off the tee, and with all of their long clubs.
And I don’t blame them (or you, if you happen to be in this group).
Now, it may seem to make sense that if you want to regain distance, you need to have more strength and power.
That is true, for the most part.
However, the biggest improvement that I see senior golfers make is in the flexibility department… and that has a direct carry-over to greater distance.
In an ideal world, we would all arrive at the course in plenty of time for our golf warm up and be able to work through several clubs on the driving range before starting our round.
In reality, at least for me, we arrive mere minutes before tee time, and have to make due with a shortened version.
If this sounds familiar, then be sure to check out the video in todays post, because I show you how to perform an easy and very effective five minute golf warm up.
This will hit all of your “golf muscles and joints” and prepare them for the rotational actions of your golf swing.
Try this golf warm up before your next round, and let me know how you feel.
It’s a systematic approach to creating optimal function and performance for you as a golf athlete.
The operative words are “optimal function and performance” and “athlete”.
We are holistic in that we view your physical body (bones, muscles, organs, systems etc), your nutrition and lifestyle, and your mental/emotional state as a collective unit. In order to achieve optimal performance, each of these areas must be working at peak levels of health and efficiency.
One of the most important assessment tests for a new client is the range of extension of their “golf spine” – both the upper back (thoracic spine) and the lower back (lumbar spine).
In this article I’d like to focus on your upper back and its ability (or lack thereof) to extend, or to bend backwards.
In the golf swing, the majority of your rotation comes from your thoracic spine.
In todays workplace culture and lifestyle, most of us are in forward-bending, or flexion oriented positions all day long i.e. sitting at the computer, driving etc.
As you become more flexed forward in your upper spine, you severely limit your ability to rotate and get any length on your swing.
This mobility drill using a foam roller will assist you in increasing your golf spine extension, and create better range, consistency and power with all of your clubs.
As a general rule, avoid drinking fluorescent things...
You’ve been sold a bill of goods when it comes to 99% of the “Sports Drinks” and “Energy Bars” on the market today.
Truth be told, most of them have about the same nutrient values (and detrimental health side effects) as sodas and candy bars.
This shouldn’t be a big surprise, as many of these “sports products” are produced by the exact same companies that sell the sugary bars and syrup and chemical-laden beverages.
Let’s take a look at the labels of two of the most popular sports drinks, Gatorade and Powerade:
