Build a better body for a better game of golf

Bermuda has the most golf courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world and with nine spectacular courses we really are blessed with the opportunity to play golf all year round.

Although it’s a very popular pastime here on the island, not enough golfers see the game as an athletic sport. 

It must be the only sport where strength conditioning is not viewed as essential.

Many golfers pick up wrist, elbow, shoulder and lower back injuries due to playing but very rarely follow any sort of exercise routine. I express to all my golf conditioning clients that the golfer plays the game not the clubs.

Here is some proof. The winning score at the US Masters in 1939 was 279.  Adam Scott won it this year with the same score.  In 1955, The Open Championship was won with a score of 281. Phil Mickelson won it this year by the exact same total.

Some 35 years ago, the average American handicap was 16.2 for males and 29 for females. 

Today, it is regarded as 16.1 for males and 28.9 for females.

It is quite evident to see that professional golfers haven’t improved much over several decades and nor have the amateurs. But golf club technology has rapidly got better. Surely, this would bring down the number of shots played on the golf course?

The truth is that the human body is responsible for the golf swing and not the club. Golf requires good balance, optimal postural alignment, strong static and dynamic stability and adequate range of motion around the joints.

Without this the golfer becomes inefficient during the stance and swing as the stabilizer muscles in the body fatigue and can’t sustain a full axis of rotation around the joints. The body just hangs off the ligaments. 

This leads to inconsistency and directly affects the clubface alignment, swing path, angle of impact and hitting that sweet spot.

The right strength and conditioning programme would help you with muscle balance and flexibility allowing you to rotate properly. This can easily add an extra 10 to 15 yards on your drive.

It will also improve your longevity in golf so you can play the game you love for longer without picking up so many injuries.

55% of golfers score above 80 with the majority of players scoring in the 85-90 range. 

If you want to get out of this rut then consider a golf-conditioning programme and speak to a fitness professional at your local health club. 

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Colin Ayliffe is a certified Personal Trainer and Holistic Lifestyle Coach with over 10 years experience in training clients. Colin is Head Trainer at Court House Squash and Wellness in Hamilton. He graduated from the University of Surrey with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Science and is also a CHEK Practitioner, Golf Biomechanic and accredited by the National Academy of Sports Medicine.