Most golfers today will not hesitate to spend several hundred dollars on a new club. What most people don't realize is the most important piece of equipment used in the game of golf is their body. Even with the advent of all the latest technology used in this sport, if you are missing even a little of the most important piece of equipment then you are not going to play to the best of your ability. In, most cases significant limitations in flexibility or strength will lead to some sort of compensation in mechanics in order to get back to the golf ball and make solid contact. These compensations in proper mechanics can allow for adequate or even good performance for short periods of time, however over time compensation moves can, and most likely will lead to erratic performance and some sort of golf related pain or injury. Inconsistent play, "topping" the ball or hitting it "thin" or "fat" are all performance outcomes that can stem from some sort of swing compensation. Lets take a closer look at what the body goes through when trying to execute one of the most complex kinesiological motions the human body can undertake.

FLEXIBILITY TRAINING FOR GOLF

It is important that a golfer possesses the strength and flexibility needed to execute a powerful and efficient golf swing. If you do not have the necessary range of motion in your body to make a full turn, then there are some common mechanical breakdowns that occur. Some of the more common breakdowns include: excessive lateral sway, loosing your primary and secondary spine angle, excessive bending of the leadside elbow and straightening of the backside knee. All of these actions are almost always the result of overturning in the backswing. Once the body is in any of these positions there must be a compensation to get back to the ball. There is a limited ability to maintain vertical levelness and a tendency toward excessive lateral sway, leading to inconsistent play and commonly back stiffness or pain. By implementing a golf specific flexibility program or adding them into your current exercise program you can help to eliminate these kinds of compensation moves that can lead to poor performance and golf related pain or injury.

STRENGTH TRAINING FOR GOLF

Strength is an important element in golf swing performance. There are certain fundamentals of golf swing mechanics that require a great amount of strength. One of the biggest keys in generating clubhead speed is the creation of a wide/big swing arc. Davis Love III is a great example of a player that creates a large swing arc. In order to create the widest possible swing arc you can generate you must have the strength to control the clubhead. You must have the "core" (torso) strength to support the tremendous speed that is generated. If core strength is lacking then you will not be able to create and stabilize a big swing arc and/or control the clubhead. Contrary to what some believe, the majority of the speed in the golf swing comes from the shoulders. Approximately 400 degrees/ second comes from the hips, however approximately 750 degrees/sec comes from the shoulders. Upper extremity strength is essential for optimal golf performance. The extension of the arms and stabilization of the musculature about the shoulder create the swing arc, with the help from several laws of physics. A golfer trying to optimize their performance needs to have the strength in their shoulders and upper extremity to control the clubhead for a consistent and repeating golf swing. The strength needed in the lower body for optimal golf performance can be described as enough to support the separation of your hips and shoulders in the swing. The lower body stays relatively quiet, while the shoulders turn. Because of this action, the abdominal obliques are a big power generator. If you do not posses adequate oblique strength then you will not reach your potential for clubhead speed. Overall, you must posses the core strength and the shoulder strength, to support the great speeds generated, establish and maintain a repeating golf swing, and prevent golf related pain, stiffness or injury. KineticGolf is designed to address a need that has been missing from golf. In all other major sports (football, basketball, baseball, etc.) Sports Medicine has been an integral part of performance enhancement. Golf is just now starting to incorporate the fields of Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, and Orthopaedics.

KineticGolf is designed to assess any physical limitations that a golfer may possess and address them by designing golf specific fitness and exercise programs. Some of the major components to the program are golf specific flexibility and mobility, strength, balance, posture, cardiovascular fitness, and nutrition. All of these components are crucial for optimal performance for a weekend golfer as well as an elite athlete.

KineticGolf helps to condition or recondition your body to handle the speeds generated in the golf swing, thereby ensuring that you will be the best condition to perform at the highest level and prevent injury. If fitness and exercise is working for PGA professionals like Tiger Woods, Justin Leonard, David Duval, Billy Andrade, Hale Irwin, Etc. Why are you not incorporating KineticGolf into your routine?

"I've had a trainer.. for two years... Having a trainer has been a big part of my success the last couple of years in staying fit, improving my golf game, but also ensuring some longevity."

Justin Leonard at the 1998 PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit.