Posts Tagged ‘golfers’
Are You Having Trouble Sustaining Energy On The Back Nine?
Loss of stamina and endurance toward the end of an eighteen-hole round of golf happens to many golfers and can often be attributed to poor nutrition. To keep up the pace and go the distance, there is no substitute for good nutrition.
Good golf nutrition has many of the same characteristics as good general nutrition. Foods that are low in fat and contain balanced portions of lean protein and slow release carbohydrates make the best choices, and the golfer’s diet should include lots of these. Lean meat, fish, and poultry are all excellent choices and should be staples in a high nutrition diet, as should carbohydrates containing whole wheat sources and green leafy vegetables.
Golfers should avoid starchy foods like potatoes, white breads, corn, and foods high in sugars. These can serve to make you groggy and less able to react properly. They will rob you of stamina rather than enhance it.
Instead of eating a traditional “three meals per day,” golfers can benefit from learning to eat several small meals over the course of the day. This process helps to train the body to take in energy in small doses and use that energy more efficiently.
Golfers need to drink lots of water. Anywhere from eight to ten glasses per day is optimal, and more than that may be necessary when playing ? especially during the summer or in places with an exceedingly warm climate. Phoenix and Las Vegas, for example, are two of the most popular cities in the US for golf and they have two of the most unforgiving summer climates. Hydration is very important.
Two things to stay away from are caffeine and alcohol. Both can adversely affect your play. Caffeine over-stimulates your muscles and increases your heart rate. It makes it difficult to concentrate and can cause you to play with less elements of control. Alcoholic beverages, of course, can significantly reduce your coordination, even in small doses. It’s best not to drink any alcohol before or during play unless you don’t mind the compromise in performance.
Use these simple tips to gain a competitive advantage over your foursome while preserving your energy and increasing your stamina and endurance. Keep your nutrition sound and you’ll reap a lifetime of benefits.
Susan Hill is a golf fitness trainer, golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. Her work has been featured on ESPN, Resort Living and SELF magazine. For more information on her golf fitness website, go to http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.
Golf Fitness DVD: Improve Your Game In Your Living Room
Plugging in a golf fitness dvd is a great alternative to relying on yourself for motivation and consistency. The dvd craze has caught on with golfers of all ages and abilities. Golf instruction dvds have been very popular, but now golf fitness dvds are coming into their own.
I have personally looked at all the golf fitness dvds. There are some okay ones and some not so okay ones.
What you would hope for in a golf fitness dvd is several things. 1. Very simple and easy demonstrations of every golf fitness exercise. This is separate from the workout component of the golf fitness dvd. 2. You would also want a user-friendly menu to be able to move around quickly and easily.
3. And what I think is the most important component is the golf fitness workout itself. I mean ‘plug-and-play’. You should be able to insert the golf fitness dvd and have the golf fitness trainer take you through the entire workout from start to finish. Just as if he were there with you.
This is the key to a successful golf fitness dvd and program. One that will motivate you to do it over and over again. The only way to success is “consistency”. If you don’t do it regularly you won’t see the results you were hoping for.
Also, a credible golf fitness dvd should be based on your current level of fitness. Not a ‘one-size fits all’ dvd. If your starting point is a little lower, then a golf fitness dvd that is more challenging will only promote you to fail.
On the other hand, if you are an experienced exerciser, you want a golf fitness dvd that is more challenging than a beginner (novice) one. One that will challenge your core stabilization, balance, coordination and muscular endurance.
I know this sounds like a lot to think about, but making the right choice will dictate the ultimate success of your program. So make sure to pick the appropriate golf fitness dvd.
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds at http://www.performbettergolf.com
Picking Your Golf Equipment Picking Your Golf Equipment
Looking for quality golf equipment but not sure you want to spend a ton on it? Are you new and starting out and need some new golf equipment but don’t know where to begin? Finding the right golf equipment may seem like a challenge, but it really does not have to be. In fact, if you know what you need, your task could be quite easy.
The first step in purchasing golf equipment is to determine your budget. Once you get to that golf store and get the best club in your hand, you may just overspend. Knowing how much you can and should spend on golf equipment will keep your wallet as happy as you will be with your golf equipment. After determining this, you will need to begin looking. The basic equipment that all good golfers have is a set of clubs, tees, gloves, and golf balls. There is much speculation about which types of clubs you need and what material they should be made out of. The best bet to determining the right equipment for you is to try it out and get a feel for it. A basic set of golf clubs will include woods, irons, putters, and wedges. The types of these clubs that you end up purchasing will depend on how they feel in your hand and through your swing. Other golf equipment to consider includes shoes, balls, gloves, clothing and more.
Golf equipment is widely available. You can go into any sporting goods store and find quality merchandise. You can also go to some of the department stores and find golf equipment there. There are even golf equipment stores that can provide you with many choices. Still want a better selection? Are you looking for the best value for your money? Use the internet to search from site to site to find the right golf equipment at the right prices. The basic golf equipment should be the first order of business for you. Once you have these items you can move into getting the other golf equipment you may find.
Written by David Kunstek, webmaster and author of http://www.golf-web-tech.com. This article may be reproduced as long as a Live link back to http://www.golf-web-tech.com is present.
Golf Swing Tips Will Not Work By Themselves
Golf swing tips are rampant! Golfers can’t get enough of them. But are they working?or are they adding to the confusion and frustration of your game? Many qualified instructors will tell you to stay away from all the golf swing tips in the golf magazines.
Why?
Because it causes “paralysis-by-analysis!”
What I mean is you get on the course and you are thinking too much about your golf swing mechanics and not enough about getting the ball in the fairway, onto the green, and in the hole!
We also call this the “62-point checklist”.
I’m here to tell you that golf swing tips by themselves will NEVER work! I know?this is a very strong statement, but I feel very strong about this.
How many times have you received a tip from a golf instructor, golfing buddy or out of a magazine?only to try it and play worse?
Come on?be honest!
I can tell you right now that it’s your BODY that won’t allow you to apply this golf swing tip. Your brain knows what to do?and wants to do it, but your body CAN’T perform it!
Your heard it right here! Your BODY can’t do it! This is the missing link to your best golf ever!
Work on the machine (you) and the golf swing tips or mechanics you so yearn to do will magically happen. I’ve seen it hundreds of times with the golfers I’ve worked with.
I have literally taken someone off the practice tee, given them a stretch and they step right up and nail the ball long and right in the middle of the range. They become instant believers!
There is no magical golf swing tip that’s going to change your game!
Golf swing mechanics are critical, and the “only” way to achieve them is to reduce your own personal physical limitations. This is not an overnight fix, but one that will last the rest of your golfing career.
Wouldn’t it be nice to step up to the tee and know without a doubt you’re going to be the longest (and straightest) hitter in your foursome? How about shooting the lowest score and taking all the money?
This is a reality if?you work on your machine (body), ‘off the course’ to play better on the course.
Then… and only then will all those golf swing tips work!
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site – Perform Better Golf.
Controlled Body Movement The Key Essential For Your Golf Game
Basic body movement is essential in any sport. Of course it is also essential for any type of physical activity we do.
As parents, we teach little children how to do the simplest of things. This includes how to move and how to control movements for precision and safety.
Basic body movement also means limiting movement to the essential movement for what you want to do. We control the desired movement. And, we prevent unwanted movement. We learn to keep our movements just firm enough to be coordinated. We also learn to allow just enough relaxation so the movements can flow through their proper range with the most comfort.
For many golfers, if you think about your hands doing something or even have much of your focus on your hands then, usually, you will do something incorrect with your hands.
Basic body movement, under control, is to be your main focus. When you become good at this part of your golf swing then can you try advanced hand movements. But, any of these hand movements should only be done in harmony with the dominant body and upper arm movements.
Even your arm movements need more focus in the early learning stages than any perceived hand movements. And, these arm movements should focus on movements generated in the upper arms which are as close to your body as possible.
A Special Lesson With A Good Golfer
A few years ago I did 2 golf lessons with a man who stood a little over 6 feet tall. He was having trouble spraying his hits with his mid-irons to his woods. I asked him to hit a ball with a wedge. He chose his 64 degree lob wedge and promptly hit a high, 95 yard hit.
What was he doing wanting a lesson from anyone? Answer: He had one wrong move that he wasn’t aware he was doing.
I used my interpretation of Fred Couples’ looping swing to guide him to the correct arm movement. When he tried my idea of Fred’s swing Andy hit the ball higher and 15 yards farther.
He did not want to develop that move but he understood how to correct his error with the proper movement. He hit a lot of good golf balls afterwards and knew why he did so.
Andy’s other problem involved chipping. He had a good hand movement in his chipping effort. He had no idea how to use that good movement with the movements of his body. As well, he had no idea of the importance of his body activity during his chipping.
A few minutes into the 2nd lesson he had learned how to time his hand movements with his body movements. He also learned where his hands should be in relation to his spine as he did the hand movements that he wanted.
His chipping improved dramatically within the lesson. His confidence was as high as possible that he could land a golf ball where he wanted. And, all it took was understanding how his arms and hands were to move in harmony with his body and also in relationship to his body position.
How I Developed My Understanding Of Basic Body Movement
I taught physical education from Grades 1 to 9. In one short span of time I could see the development of movement in all stages of growth. I could also see the physical and mental effort carried out by these children as they learned the skills and the games which I taught.
I used to teach the various Grades a level of a game which they could handle. I taught positional play in slow motion and then introduced body movements which enabled the students to move fluently up and down the playing surface. They quickly learned this and asked for more. That is when I taught the various skills. The game was taught first; and then came the skills.
In golf, there are a number of games played during a round.
- We try to get a better score than someone else.
- We try to get a personal best score during a round.
- We try to play against the golf course to get a par round or better.
- We try to get a better score than par on each hole.
BUT, usually forgotten is the game of playing each golf shot as good as we possibly can. It is this last “game” which I teach in my golf lessons.
The free articles combined with the instruction modules will teach you how to win “the game” of playing each hit during your round of golf.
Relating this to teaching golf swing skills I emphasize basic posture, alignment, control, and body movement. Arm and hand activity do not get taught until my students learn basic movements. Because of this, beginners and students who had never hit the ball in the air soon hit draws with even their short irons when they hit the ball over a fence.
You, The Ground, And The Golf Ball
We stand on the ground. The golf ball rests on the ground (er, usually). Before we try to dislodge that golf ball from its place on the ground we should learn a good method of relating what we do from our “perch” on the ground.
Between our connection to the ground and the ball’s position on the ground we have a lot of body mass and joints along with that “stick” thing. We need movement to make the golf ball move. Therefore, we swing back and forth to make the golf club move the ball. But, those joints want to do all sorts of contortions during our golf swing efforts.
We need to develop an understanding of how to move at the fewest possible joints and how to control or prevent movements of the rest of our joints. This is basic to anything we do. It is very important to this “confusing” skill called the golf swing.
About The Author
Glen teaches his golf program for Ladysmith, BC Parks & Rec.
http://basicbodymovementforanygolfswing.com
golflesson@basicbodymovementforanygolfswing.com
Three Tips To Help You Benefit From Golf Video Instruction
Golf video instruction can be a powerful tool in helping any golfer improve their handicap. Yet many golfers do not fully benefit from them.
The reason is that their approach is wrong and they are therefore unable to benefit from the practical advice and tips received through golf video instruction.
Here I carry three tips to help you benefit and reap the full rewards from golf video instruction tapes.
A) Watch the whole golf video instruction tape to the end first and then slowly review it starting from the beginning. Quite as you enjoy watching the golf video for the very first time, most of the instructions and tips will hardly be remembered.
Exactly the same thing happens when you read a book whose contents you want to retain. This is why it is very important to go through the golf video a second time carefully taking note of the all the instruction and tips. It is not a bade idea to record it all in a note book.
B) Apply only one golf video instruction tip at a time to your game.
Usually you will end up with a huge volume of instruction and tips from the golf video. It is therefore advisable to apply one at a time, rather than try to apply several and when you do not seem to get any result, you simply abandon everything.
This is exactly what most golfers do. Be patient and apply the tips one at a time. You will find that some do not work for you. Do not get discouraged, move to the next one and patiently work your way through your entire list.
C) Combine you application of the golf video instruction with a golf-specific exercise program.
There are many things in golf which will be extremely difficult to apply to your game if you are not physically fit. Or at least golf-fit. Some techniques can even increase the risk of injury if you are not involved in any golf exercise program.
Ensuring that you are golf fit is a very important requirement for reaping maximum benefits from golf video instruction tapes.
About The Author:
Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Visit his new golf fitness training site at Perform Better Golf.
How To Use Exercise For Golf To Strengthen Your Swing
Using exercise for golf to strengthen your swing could be one of the wisest decisions you’ve ever make in regards to improving power and distance.
Have you tried those gimmicky training aids in hopes to strengthen your swing? If so, were you successful? I can take a guess, but I won’t get on you too much.
Most of the touring pros are now using exercise for golf to strengthen their swing and have seen their driving distance go way up. And yes?their equipment has a little bit to do with it, but can’t take all the credit.
I have said thousands of times, “it’s your BODY that plays the game, not your equipment”. Doesn’t that make sense to you?
Like any athlete?he or she spends a huge amount of time strengthening their muscles specific to their sport.
Why wouldn’t you as a golfer do the same thing?
Hopefully after reading this article you’ll give it strong consideration.
Using exercise for golf to strengthen your swing entails the use of a stability ball, exercise tubing, handweights and even a weighted medicine ball. These are all inexpensive golf training tools that can have a dramatic affect on your game.
I can’t tell you how many golfers (thousands) have emailed me telling me their amazing improvements in power, distance and accuracy from using exercise for golf to strengthen their swing.
It’s a very simple approach that won’t leave you sweating like a pig and spending hours upon hours in your gym. In fact?you don’t need a gym to do the kind of golf training I’m talking about.
With the above golf training equipment, you can do a simple golf exercise program in less than 30 minutes “in your home”. Now that’s time-savings and even financial savings not having to keep up a gym membership.
The premise of using exercise golf golf to strengthen your swing is one that warrants quick results with a minimal time requirement.
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds at his golf fitness site – Perform Better Golf.
