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This is probably a burning desire of most every golfer on
the planet. The desire to
drive the golf ball farther
and straighter, allowing us
to lower our golf scores on
the golf course. One of the
keys to driving golf the straighter
and longer is a golf fitness
program. This type of a training
program incorporates exercises
to improve your golf swing.
An amateur recently sent me
an e-mail describing how he
is driving the golf longer
and straighter than ever before.
He plainly states the reason
for the improvement is directly
connected to a golf fitness
program he implemented 10
weeks ago. Here is what he
had to say; “Sean, Thought
I’d drop you a note to let
you know I am still enjoying
the BioForce workout exercises
and I’m getting closer to
the goals I set 10 weeks ago.
I still track my workouts
and I am encouraged by the
progress I see, not only on
the chart, but also with my
swing. As a reward for my
efforts and progress, I bought
a new Ping Tour wedge. Why
a wedge? Because I can already
see I am hitting my drives
consistently much straighter
– This, of course, is giving
me more distance and great
enjoyment. And, I am much
more consistent with my pitches
and chips. So, a good wedge
that will give consistent
distance and allow me to try
different types of shots to
expand my skills seemed like
the right reward. The only
thing I am unsure of is “am
I pushing myself enough? Could
you please have a look at
my workouts and advise the
best schedule for me to meet
my goals. I know I haven’t
pushed myself on some the
exercises like Side Holds
as I should have; the result
being no progress with this.
For my initial goals I have
5 weeks to go, if I miss these
then Mid-May is the next deadline
I have set.” Colin Colin,
let me first congratulate
you on your progress, determination,
and results you are seeing.
It is because of your hard
work and dedication to the
golf fitness programs your
golf game is improving. I
always like to say; “I have
the easy part, all I have
to do is teach you, and the
hard part is following through
with what I teach you.” I
tip my hat to you. Before
I answer your question about
“pushing yourself”, I would
like to make a note of your
goal setting. Goal setting
is extremely important. I
know Phil and almost every
athlete I work with sets goals.
On one hand, it allows you
to measure yourself and see
how you are progressing. I
think all amateur golfers
do this to some extent. Aren’t
we all trying to lower our
handicaps, make more birdies,
and overall improve our golf
game? The answer is yes, and
on some level, we set goals
to measure our progress. Additionally
goals have another benefit.
It provides a “mark” to achieve,
keeps you focused, and provides
a sense of accomplishment
when met. We as golfers often
set goals of lowering our
handicap to single digits,
drive the golf ball 280 yards,
or not make any three putts.
These are all “marks” we are
trying to hit, and these “marks”
are essentially goals. Once
the goals are set, a plan
can be put in place to reach
those goals. For example,
if the desire is to lower
your handicap to single digits,
part of the plan may be practicing
at the range three times per
week. On the other hand, if
the goal is add an additional
20 yards to your drives, part
of the plan may be the implementation
of a golf fitness program
to increase your flexibility,
strength, endurance, and power.
I will also say at times goals
are not met, and that is okay.
If a goal is not met, it provides
us a point to reflect, make
adjustments in our current
program, and set new goals.
Additionally, Colin you bring
up a very good point on how
much should you be “pushing
yourself” on the exercises.
We all probably are aware
that in order to improve in
any task, golf swing included,
we must put forth an effort.
How much is very important,
and this is of the up most
importance in relation to
golf fitness exercises. Let
me first say there is a very
fine line between the correct
amount of exertion and too
much exertion. Too much exertion
can lead to poor exercise
technique and a possible injury.
Too little exertion will limit
the benefits received from
your golf fitness program.
A term I use as a guideline
for the correct amount of
exertion on each exercise
is: “Perform each exercise
to your own level of tolerance”.
Essentially this states every
exercise you perform should
be done with the; 1) Correct
technique And 2) Performed
for the number of repetitions
in which you can maintain
proper exercise technique.
This requires you to “push
yourself”, but in addition
maintain an awareness of your
exercise technique. For example
with the golf fitness exercise
Side Holds, once you set yourself
up in the correct position,
you should “hold” the position
for the amount of time you
can until your technique falters.
This guideline can be followed
for almost every golf fitness
exercise. Another golf fitness
exercise, the Jack Knife should
be performed for as many repetitions
with the correct technique.
If you find your technique
starting to falter this is
the point at which you stop.
To summarize, we know a golf
fitness program can assist
a golfer in driving the golf
ball longer and straighter.
In the bigger picture longer
and straighter drives is a
goal. In order to achieve
a goal in the sport of golf,
a plan must be put in place.
The plan can include golf
fitness exercises as part
of the steps for us to meet
that goal. Additionally, when
we talk about any golf fitness
exercise the correct amount
of effort must be exerted,
but not exceeded. Following
the guideline of “perform
every golf fitness exercise
to your own level of tolerance”
will help you maintain this
fine line of effort. Sean
Cochran is one of the most
recognized golf fitness instructors
in the world today. He travels
the PGA Tour regularly with
2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion
Phil Mickelson. He has made
many of his golf tips, golf
instruction and golf swing
improvement techniques available
to amateur golfers on the
website http://www.bioforcegolf.com
To contact Sean, you can email
him at support@bioforcegolf.com
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