Free Golf Tip | Sponsored by GreatGolfGizmos.com - Click Here to Shop for Great Golf Gizmos | Article List

How to Unleash Your True Golf Potential - Part 2


In (Part 1) of this article I discussed how muscle imbalance can often keep a golfer from achieving his or her true playing potential. Even though these imbalances are quite common they often go untreated due to the fact that the golfer is focusing on the symptom and not the cause. The symptom in this case is the inaccuracy and loss of power in their swing. The cause is the muscle imbalance.

Postural deficiencies (imbalances) consist of tight (shortened) muscles and weak (lengthened) muscles. Common golf posture consists of a forward head and rounded shoulders. Proper program design will call for the tight muscles to be stretched and the weak muscles to be strengthened.

In addition, the average person also has a weak core and lack of neuromuscular joint stabilization making it even more difficult to control their body during a functional movement such as golf.

Common muscle imbalances of a golfer:

Forward Head Position
Anterior (front) neck muscles (tight/shortened) - Stretch
Posterior (rear) neck muscles (weak/lengthened) - Strengthen

Rounded Forward Shoulders
Pectoral (chest) muscles (tight/shortened) - Stretch
Rhomboid (upper middle back) muscles (weak/lengthened) - Strengthen

Lack of Core Stability
Transverse abdominals / Internal Oblique (weakness) - Strengthen
Pelvic floor muscles (weakness) - Strengthen

The "Core" is where all movement begins. It is also the controlling force behind an individual's center of gravity. The core muscles support the spine and pelvis and are an essential part of driving the ball with power and accuracy.

Stabilization training increases communication between the nervous system and the muscular system which will result in increased joint stabilization during functional movements such as golf. Performing exercises that require balance such as single leg exercises, stability ball exercises or using unstable surface's will increase neuromuscular efficiency (communication between the nervous system and muscular system).

The combination of corrective exercise, core training and stabilization training will greatly improve your ability to unleash the true potential of your golf game. A balanced posture, strong core and efficient joint stabilization will decrease any pain or discomfort in your swing and significantly improve the power and accuracy of your game.

Craig LePage, CSCS, NASM-CPT, is a well-known Fitness Professional in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and is the Director of Precision Fitness Mooresville. He has been helping people reach their fitness and wellness goals for more than 10 years. His credentials include a Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport Connecticut, CSCS credentials from the NSCA and a Personal Training Certification from the NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). Craig has written for Charlotte, NC area Newspapers, authored his own fitness & nutrition program and is a frequent guest on a Charlotte area radio show that focus' on health and wellness. He is currently co-authoring a golf specific exercise book (Play Better, Longer - Golf) and is also working on a book of his own that should be available sometime next year.

For additional information please contact (Craig LePage); craig@ncprecisionfitness.com, or log on to http://www.lakenormanfitness.com


MORE RESOURCES:

GolfDigest.com

Golf-Sabbatini takes Texas Open third round lead
Reuters UK, UK - 12 hours ago
... four of the next seven holes to finish at 14-under 196 after three rounds of the $4.5 million tournament at La Cantera Golf Club's Resort Course. ...
Sabbatini takes Texas lead SkySports
Sabbatini leads Texas Open The Associated Press
Inoue holds off Jones in Japan iseekgolf.com
PGA Tour - The Press Association
all 651 news articles


Houston Chronicle

Homeowners fight development plan for ex-golf course
Houston Chronicle, United States - 7 hours ago
He's concerned that a developer's plans for the former Clear Lake Golf Club's 178 acres could worsen flooding. Merle Bunde looks from his rear porch toward ...


San Francisco Chronicle

Chronicle Radio: Talking golf with Fred Couples and Greg Norman
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 4 hours ago
Fred Couples and Greg Norman sit down for an audio interview with Chronicle golf writer Ron Kroichick about the 2009 Presidents Cup tournament, ...
Golf notes Sonoma Index-Tribune
Presidents Cup Q and A: The past is an ever-present consideration ... San Francisco Chronicle
all 3 news articles


Telegraph.co.uk

Seve Ballesteros has golf world holding its breath
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - 17 hours ago
When Seve Ballesteros won the first of his major championships in 1979 he described it as 'destino'. By Mark Reason Now the 51-year-old Spaniard sits in bed ...
John Huggan: Ballesteros: standard bearer for Europe's golfing ... Scotland on Sunday
Golf champ Seve Ballesteros had an epileptic fit Mirror.co.uk
Golf legend Seve Ballesteros in hospital after epileptic attack Glasgow Daily Record
The Punch - UK Express
all 511 news articles


Playbill.com

August Wilson's century cycle comes to close in 'Radio Golf
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 18 hours ago
August Wilson won his race against time when he completed "Radio Golf." Stricken with cancer, knowing that death was coming, the playwright struggled to ...
August Wilson's 'Radio Golf' finishes cycle San Francisco Chronicle
The Public's 'Radio Golf' is timely, bittersweet Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Wilson's Radio Golf Tees Off at TheatreWorks Oct. 11 Playbill.com
all 5 news articles


SkySports

Golf Capsules
International Herald Tribune, France - Oct 9, 2008
Claxton and Browne, a three-time tour winner, had bogey-free 64s in sunny and warm conditions on La Cantera Golf Club's Resort Course. ...
Aussie Green seizes Texas Open golf lead AFP
Green leads the Texas Open RTE.ie
Green leads Texas Open The Gazette (Montreal)
The Press Association - PGA Tour
all 272 news articles


GolfDigest.com

Golf Photo Wire
ESPN - 5 hours ago
... after finishing play on the 18th green of Blackhawk Country Club during the third round of the Longs Drug Challenge golf tournament in Danville, Calif., ...
In-Kyung Kim leads Longs Drugs Challenge Bradenton Herald
Kim, Stanford make their moves Korean leads Texan by a stroke ... San Francisco Chronicle
Five Months Pregnant and Still Making Birdies, Hjorth Near the ... FanHouse
Sports Network - The Associated Press
all 474 news articles


NDTV.com

Golf-China's Liang clings on to one-shot lead in India
Reuters.uk, UK - 22 hours ago
... held a one-shot lead over Australian Adam Blyth after the third round of the $1 million Indian Open at the par-72 Delhi Golf Club course on Saturday. ...
Liang wins Indian Open, Jeev finishes fourth Times of India
Golf-China's Liang maintains five-shot lead in India Reuters India
Liang remains on top at Hero Honda Indian golf Open AFP
Indian Express - Howrah News Service
all 194 news articles


Leishman leads by three at halfway in Nationwide WNB Golf Classic
PGA.com - Oct 10, 2008
Leishman, from Warnambool, a small, coastal Australian town with a fabulous golf course, had been playing well this year without getting the desired results ...
Leishman extends lead in Texas Sports Network
Leishman leads by three in Midland Sports Network
Leishman extends lead to five after 54 holes at Nationwide WNB Classic PGA.com
all 16 news articles


Wounded troops learn golf anew
Honolulu Advertiser, HI - 1 hour ago
Now the 62-year-old spends anywhere from 35 to 70 hours a week running Golf Supports Our Troops, a nonprofit that raises money to donate golf equipment to ...
Project serves wounded warriors Montgomery Advertiser
all 2 news articles

Golf - Google News

home | site map | Sponsored by GreatGolfGizmos.com - Click Here to Shop for Great Golf Gizmos
© 2006