Functional Golf Fitness

 

More about Stephen's Golf Fitness Instructor certification from Titleist Performance Institute.

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WHAT IS GOLF FITNESS?

Golf fitness isn’t about looking like a bodybuilder or being the best player on Tour. It’s about being fit to play the game at the individual’s highest level and doing so without causing injury. It’s about understanding how a body’s limitations can influence the golf swing and how to address those limitations through the proper channels; whether it’s through swing instruction, physical rehabilitation or strength and conditioning exercise. It’s designed to correct your mobility and stability physical limitations, which may be causing you to currently play a shorter and painful game. It’s about maximizing your golf potential.

 

WHAT IS TITLEIST PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE (TPI)?

TPI is the world’s leading educational organization dedicated to the study of the human body functions in relation to the golf swing.

Since its inception in 2003, TPI has studied thousands of golfers ranging from the top professional tour players to weekend enthusiasts.  An incredible amount of data on players of all shapes, sizes, ages, and fitness levels has been gathered during this time. Using this data, TPI discovered how a properly functioning body allows a player to swing a golf club in the most efficient way possible.  Additionally, TPI has analyzed how physical limitations in a player's body can adversely affect the golf swing and potentially leading to injury. From their findings, they have developed a precise overall physical screen that has proved true for every golfer from the professional tour players to the weekend enthusiasts.

“TPI doesn’t believe there is one way to swing a club; we believe there is an infinite number of ways to swing a club. But, we do believe there is one efficient way for all golfers to swing a club and it is based on what the player can physically do.”

For more information on the Titleist Performance Institute, please visit www.mytpi.com

 

GOLF PHYSICAL SCREEN

We use the 12-point TPI golf screening which enables us to determine how your body is working throughout your golf swing. This screening evaluates all areas of the body and all specific movement patterns. For years, these functional screens have been used only with Titleist Tour Players and are now available to the public. Considering the results of the TPI screen, we can develop an individualized exercise plan to address each client’s physical limitations that maybe affecting the golf swing and/or risk of injury. The plan may include fitness training, physical therapy and treatment, coaching of swing mechanics, nutrition, mental strategy or all the above.

EFFICIENCY

The most efficient swing is not the same for every golfer, because efficiency is unique to their body. To achieve an efficient swing, a golfer must first be screened. This screen involves an assessment of swing mechanics and biomechanics, physical fitness, movement quality, current health and a client history.

 

KINEMATIC SEQUENCE

In order to maximize your power, you must sequence your movements in the proper order. 

The order of events are Pelvis (Hips), Thorax (Upper Body), Arms, and Club.  The rotational speed for these parts will peak and then start to decrease. You will notice the peak of these events (colored dots on the graph) have to happen in the proper order.

KINEMATIC SEQUENCE COMPARISON

You will notice the speed of the club (brown line) is increasing through the impact of the Pro and decreasing for amateurs.

EFFICIENCY BREAKDOWNS

  • Poor mechanics - video swing analysis to isolate mechanical breakdowns

  • Poor conditioning - physical screen to isolate body limitations

  • Poor equipment - club fitting to determine specifications

 

KEYS TO BALL STRIKING

  • Properly ordered kinematic sequence - key to consistency and accuracy

  • Good segmental stabilization - key to power

  • Center face, square face contact

To get the maximum results, the Golf Fitness Training plan is designed to work in conjunction with your golf pro. Their expertise can be combined with the golf-specific training you'll receive from your Titleist Certified Golf Fitness Professional.

*Disclaimer.  Some parts of the above mentioned statements are direct quotes from Titleist Performance Institute.