While preparing for his much anticipated comeback, Tiger Woods was recently quoted as saying, “I'm full-bore with my practice sessions, it's just a matter of getting my golf endurance up. I don't have my golf stamina back yet.” This is a telling quote with a message simple—if your body is not ready, your golf game will suffer.
After an extended lay-off, such as Tiger’s knee rehabilitation or our long Chicagoland winter, a golfer’s flexibility, mobility, strength and stamina will suffer dramatically. Now is the time to take the initiative, improve your body, and prepare for your best season ever. Golf fitness is NOT just for pros. Golfers continue to invest heavily in golf equipment and lessons when the more likely barrier to improvement is physical limitations.
The golf swing is much more physically challenging than given credit for. Most golfers we see have acute physical limitations that inhibit proper swing mechanics. These limitations not only ruin golf scores, but can lead to injuries. Substantial gains in stability, mobility, balance and body/club awareness will lead to substantial gains on the scorecard.
A seemingly simple, yet indisputable way to improve all aspects of your golf game is through better dynamic balance. Dynamic balance for a golfer is the ability to maintain good postural alignment and stability throughout the entire swing. Most amateur golfers have no idea how inadequate their balance truly is. Research has shown that a scratch golfer can maintain balance on one leg with their eyes closed over four times as long as a fifteen handicap—while a PGA Tour player can hold their balance twice as long as a scratch golfer.
Here is a simple test and drill that can be performed anywhere to improve your dynamic balance and drop your scores.
Single leg stance test eyes open: Stand on one leg with the other leg up in front of you like you are marching. Try holding this position for 30 seconds. Switch legs. Was one leg easier than the other?
Single leg stance test eyes closed: Again stand on one leg at a time—this time with your eyes closed. You’re likely to find that this was much more difficult because you rely on your vision heavily for balance. Try holding this position for 30 seconds. Switch legs. Alternate these drills on a daily basis and improve the consistency and generate more power in your golf swing. To increase the difficulty as you become more advanced, bring your hands together (as if gripping a club) and slowly swing side to side while on one leg. Dynamic Golf Institute recommends charting your progress.
The combination of golf fitness, biomechanics training and motor learning is the future of golf—and it’s available to Chicagoland golfers today! Let’s get started on realizing your golf potential!
Contact us today at (773) 316-6693 or info@dynamicgolfinstitute.com. We’re located at Deerfield Golf Club during the golf season and the Buffalo Grove golf dome in the winter.