How often have i played golf with golfers with ill-fitted clubs in a poor set-up position,and this is even when the have been fitted out by a so-called 'club-fitting' specialist!
All of the major golf teaching associations (i.e.USPGA British PGA and others) considers the golf-swing to be a chain reaction of events. Therefore,as the saying goes,the movement is only as strong as its weakest link. If this weakest link is at the start of the swing,in other words the address position, then this will affect the swings efficiency and the performance will suffer.
We have to agree upon what is a healthy posture at address,all to often i witness golfers in an un-athletic position when setting up to the ball,i.e.quasimodo or arched back,too much knee-bend to compensate for too-short a clubs.
The only solution is to have the spine angle correct at address,at a comfortable yet athletic position that puts less stress on the back,and only then can we start to get the correct length that suits the golfer properly!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Eat Right and Stay In Play
Watch out Tiger.Phosphatidylserine(PS) a newcomer on the dietary supplement scene may improve your golf game!
In Germany last year,20 golfers with handicaps ranging from 15 to 40 spent 6 weeks eating an energy bar with 200mg of PS,an ingredient linked to better concentration and co-ordination.
During this period,when measured against a control group of golfers with similar handicaps who did not consume the energy bar,the golfers plied with PS were able to hit the ball further and were 25% more accurate. Thats because Phosphatidylserine may dampen stress hormones ,allowing you to concentrate better, say German researchers!
In Germany last year,20 golfers with handicaps ranging from 15 to 40 spent 6 weeks eating an energy bar with 200mg of PS,an ingredient linked to better concentration and co-ordination.
During this period,when measured against a control group of golfers with similar handicaps who did not consume the energy bar,the golfers plied with PS were able to hit the ball further and were 25% more accurate. Thats because Phosphatidylserine may dampen stress hormones ,allowing you to concentrate better, say German researchers!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Play Golf Injury-Free
Lower back pain,golfer'elbow,shoulder,hand and wrist aches,and the odd twinge-these and more,are often part and parcel of the game.But it need not be the case!
One of the challenging aspects of being an Amateur or Pro Golfer is that there's bound to be some element of injury along the way. While some players may get lucky and escape these ailments during their playing years,many-and professional golfers are not immune here-can experience some sort of discomfort from playing the game.
The most typical complaint from golfers is the lower back,caused mainly by poor posture and bad technique, also when the core musles are not strong enough and weak abdominals, lead to to alot of problems.
It becomes a 'compensation' issue in the sense that the golfers are putting stress on the stronger part of their body-in this case the spine- which adds pressure to the back.
Other problems iclude wrist-especially in Pro golfers-however,female golfers tend to have more elbow and shoulder problems rather than back,due to them using their upper limbs more.
So the message to convey to all golfers is that you must have the right fitted equipment,the right posture,and work on strength and flexibility.
One of the challenging aspects of being an Amateur or Pro Golfer is that there's bound to be some element of injury along the way. While some players may get lucky and escape these ailments during their playing years,many-and professional golfers are not immune here-can experience some sort of discomfort from playing the game.
The most typical complaint from golfers is the lower back,caused mainly by poor posture and bad technique, also when the core musles are not strong enough and weak abdominals, lead to to alot of problems.
It becomes a 'compensation' issue in the sense that the golfers are putting stress on the stronger part of their body-in this case the spine- which adds pressure to the back.
Other problems iclude wrist-especially in Pro golfers-however,female golfers tend to have more elbow and shoulder problems rather than back,due to them using their upper limbs more.
So the message to convey to all golfers is that you must have the right fitted equipment,the right posture,and work on strength and flexibility.
Friday, December 12, 2008
An Improper Diet's Effect On a Golfer!
Halfway thru a poor round and you think is just the yips getting to you.
But the nutritionists have a more scientific explanation; low blood sugar from an improper diet causes nervousness.
"They would get irritable,jumpy,nervous and cranky." says Dan Benardot,an associate professor in kinesiology and health at Georgia State University and co-director of the Laboratory for Elite Athletic Performance.
SUGGESTIONS;
Before; Try to finish breakfast at least 90mins before play!
Suggested serving; A glass of juice and some toast,something amounting to 400 calories.Bagel with peanut butter,oatcereal and nuts.
ON COURSE
Do not avoid calories,consume enough carbohydrates to sustain proper suger levels during play.
Sip a sports beverage throughout the round,or water-maybe a few mouthfuls every other hole.
Take granola,energy bars or trail mix. leave snacks like hot dogs and beer alone!
But the nutritionists have a more scientific explanation; low blood sugar from an improper diet causes nervousness.
"They would get irritable,jumpy,nervous and cranky." says Dan Benardot,an associate professor in kinesiology and health at Georgia State University and co-director of the Laboratory for Elite Athletic Performance.
SUGGESTIONS;
Before; Try to finish breakfast at least 90mins before play!
Suggested serving; A glass of juice and some toast,something amounting to 400 calories.Bagel with peanut butter,oatcereal and nuts.
ON COURSE
Do not avoid calories,consume enough carbohydrates to sustain proper suger levels during play.
Sip a sports beverage throughout the round,or water-maybe a few mouthfuls every other hole.
Take granola,energy bars or trail mix. leave snacks like hot dogs and beer alone!
Monday, October 6, 2008
LEARNING FROM WOMEN
As golfers we marvel at the top male golfers of today with their awesome power and the prodigious distances they hit the ball, especially with the Driver! Just that the average male golfer can learn so much from watching the top women golfers swing the golf club!
Singapore hosts the Lexus Cup next month,with the top twelve Asian lady golfers,taking on an International team in a Ryder-cup style match-play format!
Sadly it will be the last time that we will see, probably the greatest female golfer of all time Anika Sorenstam in action.Now this superb women athlete makes the game look so ridiculously easy.
Well over half the Asian team will be made up of South-Koreans,but one lady stands out for me and that is Ai Miyazato of Japan.Her rhythm n tempo is so smooth and she can hit the ball a long way for her 1.55 frame.
The main fault of the average male golfer is he tries to hit the ball too hard which causes the body too become rigid and tense,and tension kills power full-stop.
Singapore hosts the Lexus Cup next month,with the top twelve Asian lady golfers,taking on an International team in a Ryder-cup style match-play format!
Sadly it will be the last time that we will see, probably the greatest female golfer of all time Anika Sorenstam in action.Now this superb women athlete makes the game look so ridiculously easy.
Well over half the Asian team will be made up of South-Koreans,but one lady stands out for me and that is Ai Miyazato of Japan.Her rhythm n tempo is so smooth and she can hit the ball a long way for her 1.55 frame.
The main fault of the average male golfer is he tries to hit the ball too hard which causes the body too become rigid and tense,and tension kills power full-stop.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Golf Related Injuries!
A while ago in the Strait times there was a survey about golf in Spore,it said that there are approx 55,ooo golfers in Spore,thats people playing on the golf-course or hitting balls at the driving-range at least once a week.
The survey said that at least 70% of these golfers get injured pursuing their hobby! Don't know about you but i find that astonishing considering that golf' is not a contact sport like rugby!
Where do hobby golfers get injured,well obviously the spine is most commom,followed by elbow,shoulder,wrist etc.
How do these injuries occur ;1/Poor technique2/Ill-fitted equipment,and 3/ Not warming up or stretching before practising/playing are the main reasons.
1/Poor technique;Backpain due to rigidly keeping head down/still,forcing untold pressure on the spine.
Keeping the left arm stiff or locked resulting in the so-called 'tennis- elbow ocurring'. Shoulder/wrist due to constant hitting of the ground/mat.
2/Ill-fitted clubs; We are just scratching the surface with this one,just that when tall-golfers have too short a clubs causes an arched spine(quasimodoe appearance).
3/ Not warming up before hand;Alot of golfers pull muscles in their stomach or lats! These muscles need to be stretched before hitting shots,i often see golfers starting their practise session with the driver,which is the equivilant to stepping on the gas at fullpelt from the word go .A golfer must always start lightly with the shorter clubs and work their way up to the driver. For me hitting a bucket of balls is a good workout due to the effort of swinging and the concentration involved,
So there you have it.Golf does not make you fit! YOU have to be fit to play golf! Good news is you do get to burn alot of calories!
The survey said that at least 70% of these golfers get injured pursuing their hobby! Don't know about you but i find that astonishing considering that golf' is not a contact sport like rugby!
Where do hobby golfers get injured,well obviously the spine is most commom,followed by elbow,shoulder,wrist etc.
How do these injuries occur ;1/Poor technique2/Ill-fitted equipment,and 3/ Not warming up or stretching before practising/playing are the main reasons.
1/Poor technique;Backpain due to rigidly keeping head down/still,forcing untold pressure on the spine.
Keeping the left arm stiff or locked resulting in the so-called 'tennis- elbow ocurring'. Shoulder/wrist due to constant hitting of the ground/mat.
2/Ill-fitted clubs; We are just scratching the surface with this one,just that when tall-golfers have too short a clubs causes an arched spine(quasimodoe appearance).
3/ Not warming up before hand;Alot of golfers pull muscles in their stomach or lats! These muscles need to be stretched before hitting shots,i often see golfers starting their practise session with the driver,which is the equivilant to stepping on the gas at fullpelt from the word go .A golfer must always start lightly with the shorter clubs and work their way up to the driver. For me hitting a bucket of balls is a good workout due to the effort of swinging and the concentration involved,
So there you have it.Golf does not make you fit! YOU have to be fit to play golf! Good news is you do get to burn alot of calories!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Food in Singapore
My Mouth starts watering just thinking about the food on offer in this fascinating country! Lastnite i had a sumptuous chicken rice opposite Novena mrt,and the other nite at Jalan Kayu i had 'ta hokkien hey me'(wrong spelling),which left a warm-glow in my stomach the whole day!
In England i was brought up on Indian curry,so i love spicy.One of life's great pleasures eating,and here you are spoilt for choice!
On the subject of England,after what seemed an eternity of lifeless dour football,England finally produced a performance of note beating Croatia 4-1 away! At last they played as a team,and Theo Walcott is as quick as Lewis Hamalton! Anyway i look forward to the big match this Saturday.Portsmouth v M'boro! 'C'mon you blues'
In England i was brought up on Indian curry,so i love spicy.One of life's great pleasures eating,and here you are spoilt for choice!
On the subject of England,after what seemed an eternity of lifeless dour football,England finally produced a performance of note beating Croatia 4-1 away! At last they played as a team,and Theo Walcott is as quick as Lewis Hamalton! Anyway i look forward to the big match this Saturday.Portsmouth v M'boro! 'C'mon you blues'
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