Indy Golf Coach

What is balance and why is it important in golf?  According to the experts at the Titleist Performance Institute, balance is one of the key physical factors required to produce an efficient golf swing.  Balance is the ability of the neuromuscular system to maintain proper alignment, posture, center of gravity, and coordination.  During the entire golf swing, a golfer must maintain the proper spine angle, transfer power and coordinate movements.  In order to do this properly, a golfer is required to maintain balance of the body and control the arms and legs.

Here is a 8 -10 minute routine to perform 2 or 3 times per week to help you develop balance like a tour player!   The following exercises will help build better balance in your golf swing.

Perform each exercise without looking at your feet.  Don’t let your eyes tell your brain where you are in space, let your nerves and joints do the work.  Make sure you have plenty of space and go slowly.  

Single Leg Balance – Perform for 60 seconds on each leg.  Once mastered, try it with your eyes closed.

Torso Turns One Leg- Try 15 torso turns each direction, in golf posture on each leg.

Lateral Bounding-Try 15 jumps in each direction, bounding from 1 foot to the other with a stick.

Stork Turns- Try 15 rotations on each leg, rotating the pelvis/hips while stabilizing the upper torso.

Have Fun!

Congrats to Lee Crannell on his 3rd place finish in the McDonalds Stroke Play Series event at Otter Creek Golf Course on Sunday, May 16th.  Lee shot an impressive 73 just 2 strokes behind the winner.  Lee continues to improve on and off the golf course.   I have had the opportunity to work with Lee on his golf fitness training  over the last 2 years, and it has been very instrumental in helping him optimize his golf performance…  Otter Creek Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones and Rees Jones design,  has been ranked among the top 25 public golf courses in the US since its inception in 1964.   For more information about the stroke play series, go to www.indianagolf.org

In a previous article, I mentioned that the mental game was one of the five components of player development.   Knowing your mental tendencies can help you with golf temperament, pre-round preparation, playing shots, course management strategies, work better with instructors/coaches, manage strengths and weaknesses.

There are many great articles, books and even expensive sports psychologists that can help you with the mental side of the game.    But if you are looking for a  great tool that provides an accurate and comprehensive report without having to spend hours and investing lots of money, check out the Mental Golf Workshop Profile.

I have been using this vital tool with my students and it has proved to be very valuable in building relationships.  It is easy to use, provides extensive detail on how to best approach your game on and off the course.  Every golfer benefits from their specific profile because the recommendations are based on their own personal tendencies.   I learned about  the profile through my training with the Titleist Performance Institute.  This is the same profile that TPI uses with the best players on the planet.

Reach your full golfing potential.  Take the on-line Mental Golf Workshop Profile, take 10 minutes to answer the questionaire and the profile is processed shortly after submitted.    It is designed for players to coach themselves and/or for instructors and coaches to collaborate with you on your customized strategies.

More about the Mental Golf Workshop Profile.