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The TPI Method: Understanding “Golf Fitness”
Once upon a time, the philosophers of the golfing world believed that the bulk of defined muscle from weight lifting could hinder your golf swing – less flexibility, less agility, less distance. Though a few small-statured golfers like Gary Player hit the gym to build a body that could keep up with their larger competitors, most golf pros avoided the weight room like the plague.
Then came Tiger Woods.
Now, “golf fitness” is in the limelight. Proponents advocate a carefully designed weight, fitness, and nutrition program to hone the muscles used in the golf swing and support overall bodily health. Naysayers see the “golf fitness” craze in the same category as the latest high-tech golfing gadget – all fad, no substance. The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) has carefully refined a method for honing golf fitness that takes the pop-culture fad out of the equation, replacing it with sound science and time-tested techniques like the ones that help Gary Player continue to compete as a pro at the spry, young age of 75.
The TPI Method
TPI was founded by Dr. Greg Rose and PGA Member Dave Phillips. These two combined a passion for golf with scientific studies to create an industry-leading instructional program that is currently used by 75% of PGA Tour Winners. That’s right, winners – not just players. TPI certifies instructors in this proven method who teach worldwide as leaders in the burgeoning golf fitness industry.
The TPI method is a systematic process that begins with a physical assessment designed to determine where your body is lacking in golf swing performance. Based on your assessment, your certified TPI trainer will come up with a “plan of attack” that’s tailor-made to help you achieve your golfing goals. Your plan may include drills and weight training to strengthen muscles or correct muscular imbalances.
Most TPI certified instructors equip themselves with the technology to videotape your swing so that they can take their analysis to another level. TPI’s core of professionals have studied thousands of golf swings and developed a process to narrow down what your swing needs based on characteristics that are common to a wide range of individual golf swings.
Go For It!
With a little time, you’ll see that golf and fitness definitely go together. Play your best, and have the longevity to keep playing for years, by keeping your body in the best golfing shape possible. Now hit the gym!
This tip is from Rick Gripp, PGA and TPI Golf Professional at Signature of Solon Country Club in Cleveland, Ohio and Traci Fisher Certified Personal Trainer NASM, AAFA, TPI
Book your time with an Eagle Golf Pro at an Eagle Golf course near you. Eagle Golf Course Management will make sure you have the best courses in the country to play on – it’s up to you to make sure you’ve got the best body to play with!
Women on Course Partnership
Dallas, Texas, October 5, 2011 – Eagle Golf, a golf management company based in Dallas, Texas, announces a new partnership with Women on Course (WOC), a national organization providing high quality events which allow women to participate in the golf lifestyle in a warm welcoming environment. WOC’s commitment to generate greater participation in the game through events and social engagements among women is in synch with Eagle Golf.
Eagle Golf saw this alliance as an opportunity to grow the game of golf and therefore reached out to Donna Hoffman, Founder and President of Women on Course, to form a partnership with preferred offerings for the WOC Members at Eagle Golf properties in cities with WOC communities such as Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Phoenix and more. "I am impressed by the universal support Eagle Golf is providing to open their doors to welcome women into the golf lifestyle. Our partnership will allow us to provide our members with opportunities to play and learn where the focus is on friendships and fun," said Donna Hoffman.
According to the National Golf Foundation in 2009, 27.1 million people were playing golf. In 2010, it was 26.1 million. This number has declined over the past three years. “It has always been our desire to introduce more women to the game of golf and increase the participation of those who already play or are looking to return to the game in a welcoming and non-intimidating environment,” says Joe Munsch, President and CEO of Eagle Golf. “We appreciate the approach Women on Course takes to engage women through all aspects of the golf lifestyle, including fashion, fitness, networking, socializing and usually, a glass of wine to end a day of fun,” continues Munsch.
Women interested in learning more about Women on Course are invited to visit www.womenoncourse.com. Eagle Golf is excited about the positive future impact this venture will have on women becoming more involved in the game in addition to the existing Women’s Golf Associations, Ladies Play Days, Women’s Clinics, Ladies Lite Leagues and more.
Pro Golf Tips: Golf Swing Fundamentals Part III — Posture
Our last pro golf tip covered alignment – step two in our Golf Swing Fundamentals series. This time we’ll cover posture, an integral part of any correct golf swing.
An Athletic Sport
Golf is an athletic sport. I rep
eat, golf is an athletic sport. Like many of you, I participated in many different sports as a child. I played football, soccer, baseball, and basketball, I lifted weights, and I ran a little track. There’s a lot golf has in common with other sports.
The “Ready” Position
One thing all sports have in common is a good starting position or “ready” position. A good starting position enables us to swing the golf club more efficiently. To do this, we need to look at our posture to see if we are truly ready to make an effective golf swing.
So what is good posture for a golf swing? Believe it or not, good golfing posture is not too different from the “ready” position in most sports. Good posture in the golf swing starts with balance. Distribute your weight evenly between your feet, centered in your arches. Your weight should not favor the toes or the heels. You should feel like you are ready to move in any direction. Your legs should be slightly flexed but not bent greatly, with a feeling of spring and readiness in the muscles. Your back should be fairly straight, with your shoulders aligned over your knees and the balls of your feet. Arms should be hanging, relaxed, under your shoulders with little or no tension. Your entire body should feel poised, relaxed, and ready to react.
The Most Common Mistake
The most common fault I see with posture is an arched back, with the weight too far forward in the toes. The awkwardness of this position causes a tremendous amount of stress and torque in the back. Back injuries are far too common with golfers and in most cases these injuries can be directly linked to poor posture.
The Drill
To test your posture and fix any problems, do the following drill:
Take out your driver. Hold the head of the driver with your right hand and the grip of the driver in your left hand. Stand up straight as if you were at military attention – shoulders down and back, neck stretched comfortably upward, spine straight, stomach muscles engaged. Put the club behind your back and run the shaft up your spine. You should feel the club make contact to three points: the top of your tailbone, along your spine between your shoulder blades, and the back of your head.
Now, slightly flex your knees and let your hips hinge at the hip socket. DO NOT bend your back. Keep you back in alignment with the shaft and maintain all three contact points. Continue to hinge at the hips and flex the knees until your shoulders align over your knees and the balls of your feet. Again, make sure to maintain the three contact points with the shaft: the top of your tailbone, the spine between your shoulders, and the back of your head.
Once your shoulders, your knees, and the balls of your feet are aligned, you should be in balance and ready to react. To be sure you are in a good starting position, contact your local PGA Professional.
Until then…
Play Fair, Play Fast, & Have Fun
Bobby Jack Haby, PGA is the Head Golf Professional and The Links at Land’s End Golf Club, an Eagle Golf Private course in Yantis, Texas.
