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Certain analysts covering PGA Tour events have shared their opinions the past year over the increasing popularity of golfers putting in time in the gym as well as the course. Recently, Johnny Miller, who is a golf analyst for NBC, was covering the Arnold Palmer Invitational and said this in regards to Rory McIlroy,

“This is probably a controversial comment, but I think if he had never gone to a gym he would have played way better the last five years". 

He is not the only analyst to have made such comments (i.e. Brandel Chamblee.) These comments are from those untrained in any health or fitness realm, come from an era where fitness and golf were more of an oxymoron. To make these statements without knowledge of what players are actually doing is irresponsible and quite ignorant. I want to clear up this myth and explain the importance of a regular fitness routine for golfers of all ages and skill levels.

"Golfers don’t train in the gym like other professional athletes would". - Adam Halseth

Training for a sport is specific to the demands of that sport. Football players train different than basketball players and the same is true for golfers. Their training is specific to their needs. Top level players don’t lift weights to get big and bulky, bench press as much as possible, or to look good with a shirt off despite what you might hear from the analyst during televised PGA events. Their routines are highly specific to their body and incorporate a balance between strengthening, mobility work, and stability work.

Take Rory McIlroy for example; his rotational speed is one of the fastest on tour. This speed, combined with the incredible amount of rotation in his spine creates massive amounts of torque on his back. A majority of his training is designed to strengthen his core in order to protect his spine allowing it to better handle this amount of stress. His fitness routine will look very different from Patrick Reed who has a larger build and swings very differently. Players lift weights as part of their fitness routines primarily to protect their body and stay healthy. A secondary goal is to get stronger so they can compete at the highest level. If a golfer has a knowledgeable trainer or therapist, fitness routines can only help their game not hurt it. Rory battled back pain throughout the early part of his career and this forced him to place increased importance of strength training to protect himself from injury.

Back to Johnny Miller, he also made a comment on Rory’s physique and how that impacted his game for the worse.

"I feel that this should go without saying but looking fit and healthy is not a detriment to golf but likely an advantage". 

You can and should get stronger, leaner, and better fit to maintain and improve performance. It is important to note that if done incorrectly, strength training can certainly have the opposite effect on your golf game and hinder performance and increase injury risk; for example, building muscle mass but not addressing flexibility. It is vital to know your body’s limitations and your fitness routine should be designed to improve on these limitations to improve performance and reduce the risk of injuries. Getting screened by a TPI medical professional is extremely beneficial as they can start you on the right path to improving your golf specific movement and strength.


Adam Halseth is a Titleist Performance Institute Medical Level 3 certified physical therapist at the Orthopedic Institute in Sioux Falls, SD. He has worked extensively with professional and amateur golfers. He collaborates with some of the top golf medical professionals in the nation including those on the LPGA and PGA tours. He performs comprehensive assessments designed to find physical limitations in strength and mobility and correlates this with a detailed swing analysis to determine the optimal program for the golfer to maximize benefits.

Email Adam at ahalseth@ortho-i.com for more information on the Orthopedic Institute Golf Medicine Program.

Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @adamhalseth.

 

Orthopedic Institute has physical therapists that specialize in various areas to meet your orthopedic and sports medicine needs.  This includes sports medicine conditions, general orthopedic, blood flow restriction, spine conditions and aquatic therapy.

Comment below for your chance at winning a free assessment from Adam! Drawing happens on May 28, 2018. 

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