How fitness has changed the face of the pga tour

Professional golfers on the tour today are approaching fitness as they never have before. PGA players look to fitness for many of its benefits. Fitness can improve their game through gains in strength, flexibility, and stamina. They can prevent or minimize injuries. Playing golf is not only a recreation for PGA players, it is their job. Their financial success depends on tournament results. Therefore, they must not only maintain a superb golf game, but a fit body as well. There are few players on tour who have not have revamped their fitness training techniques or gotten a fresh start within the last few years. Many players have looked to the concept of functional fitness for golf. With functional fitness for golf, players can be assured that they are effectively targeting muscles and joints used in their golf swing. This type of exercise programming gives them an advantage over their competition. How exactly do the PGA players train? First, their fitness level is determined. It is a common practice for golfers to create goals for their golf game. It is popular to also produce fitness goals. Second, a personalized exercise program is generated which involves weight training and endurance improvement. Third, the exercise program must be followed on a consistent basis to achieve maximum results. PGA players have a busy schedule and must make time to fit in their workouts. Even if you are a recreational golfer you can still follow the trend of being functionally fit for golf. It would be wise to have your fitness level determined by a certified fitness professional. You might not workout at the same level as Tiger Woods, but you will see benefits in your body and golf game. Many professional golfers are spending less time on the course and more time in the weight room. They have seen concrete results through longer drives and increased stamina. Top level golfers are always searching for ways to rise above their competition. Adding fitness to their training regimen provides the step up to the next level.

Perfect golf swing is within reach

The perfect golf swing. Aren’t we all look for it? Now the educating part. The perfect golf swing is not attainable! Did that get your attention? Let me say it one more time. The perfect golf swing is not attainable! Unless…you have a higher level of strength and flexibility specific to golf. I know you’ve probably heard this before…but the question is…did you take it to heart? Or did you just shrug your shoulders and continue on the same frustrating path to your hopeful golf improvement? When we break down the golf swing mechanically and physically…it’s amazing to see what the body goes through when a near perfect golf swing is performed. There is an enormous amount of core strength and flexibility. Upper spine and low back strength. Then hamstring strength and flexibility. Shoulder stability from a rotation standpoint. Quad strength to maintain adequate knee flex and posture. I could go on and on. Are you getting the picture? To achieve a near perfect golf swing takes a physical approach. One that focuses on your current limitations and how it is affecting your swing. Once you realize what limitations are causing your swing faults…you’ll be well on your way to a perfect golf swing. How many times have you made an attempt at a golf swing only to fall off balance and mishit your shot badly? How your backswing? Have you tried and tried to make that 90 degree shoulder turn like your pro said, only to create such a tense and powerless you were ready to give up the game? I’m here to tell you…you’ve got to change your approach if you want to achieve that perfect golf swing. Start with YOU and you’re on your way!

St andrews university honouring golf legends

The University of St Andrews is the oldest university in Scotland and third oldest in the English-speaking world, having been founded between 1410 and 1413. The university attracts students from over 100 countries and independent school intake is high, but the university has an active widening participation policy. St Andrews University has a history in honouring sports personalities especially the ones in the world of golf. About a year ago four of the biggest names in world golf have been awarded degrees by Scotland's oldest university to mark the beginning of the 134th Open Championship. Players Nick Faldo, Laura Davies and Peter Thomson have been honoured by St Andrews University, along with BBC commentator Peter Alliss. The golfers joined several other stars of the sport to be honoured by the university, including Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Colin Montgomerie and Seve Ballesteros. Peter Alliss was one of Britain's leading professionals but is now best known as a broadcaster for ABC in the US and the BBC in Europe. Nick Faldo won 30 times on the European Tour, six times on the USPGA Tour and has six majors to his name while Laura Davies was the first woman ever to win all three major golfing tournaments in one year during the 1980s. Peter Thomson, an Australian, is regarded as one of the world's best links golfers. In St Andrews, golf has been played in the town since around 1400 and the Old Course is known worldwide as "the home" of the sport, where the game evolved and where the spirit and traditions of golf have been safeguarded for over six centuries. This year, St Andrews University is honouring another legend of golf: Charlie Sifford, the American golfer who defied racism to become an inspiration for a generation of young players. He will get an honorary degree and become a Doctor of Laws at St Andrews University. Charlie Sifford was the first African-American to challenge the US Professional Golf Association's Caucasian-only clause by joining the professional tour in 1960 and he won the Hartford Open in 1967. In 1969 he took the Los Angeles Open. He played 422 events on the PGA tour and made 399 cuts. Although he was the top black player on tour in the 1960s, he was never invited to play in The Masters. During his career as a golfer he had to face death threats and racial slurs. Dr Brian Lang, principal and vice-chancellor of the St Andrews University said: "Charlie Sifford is a pioneer of the civil rights era whose career exemplifies courage, determination and the will to succeed in the face of substantial prejudice and adversity. He changed the landscape of sport and his story is one which should challenge and inspire us all". He added that "It is absolutely fitting that this man, his unique character, his dignity and his gift to golf should be honoured by St Andrews in St Andrews."