Can you answer yes to any of the following questions?

Do you want to:
•   Improve flexibility and strength to prevent potential injury ?
•   Improve core strength to increase distance shots ?
•   Improve balance and weight shift during the swing ?
•   Improve core stability and balance for more accurate shots ?
•   Increase endurance ?
•   Increase focus and concentration ?

If the answer to any of the above questions is "Yes" then you need to talk to Steve

Consider that the head of a golf club can travel over 100 miles per hour, an effort comparable to throwing a cricket ball from the boundary. Amateur golfers achieve approximately 90% of their peak muscle activity when driving a golf ball. This is the same lifting intensity as picking up a weight that can only be lifted four times before total fatigue.

Golfers strike the ball an average of 30 to 40 times a round and this level of exertion and muscle activation equates with such sports as football, hockey and martial arts. The difference is that other athletes outside of golf include conditioning as an integral part of their preparation for such physical demands.

Balance tends to decrease with age and there is also a progressive loss of muscle mass, with the abdominal and buttock musculature tending to weaken first. The process of aging goes hand in hand with degenerative joint changes, desiccation of spinal discs and reduced range of motion resulting in loss of distance on long shots. When the postural muscles fatigue easily it is very hard to hold the address angle, resulting in loss of swing axis and swing faults.

By undertaking my Conditioning Programmes you can significantly slow down the natural processes of aging. The Strength Training phase will also assist the lady golfer in maintaining and even building muscle mass in the exact areas needed to improve their golf score.

There are four factors of golf conditioning:

1. Muscle balance and flexibility
2. Static and dynamic postural stability
3. Strength
4. Power.

These must be performed in this order. Without correct flexibility the body cannot perform exercises in the correct manner. Once the musculoskeletal system is balanced, static and dynamic, postural stability can be achieved.

We strive to be better players and longer straighter hitters of the ball but overlook one piece of equipment "our body". We spend time and money on golf lessons, choosing the perfect clubs, but overlook the maintenance of our body.

Playing golf is an athletic skill requiring flexibility, balance, coordination, endurance and strength. Improvements in these areas will not only help prevent injuries but they can be the difference in breaking 100, 90, 80 or even 70."

I act as an expert guide and consultant assisting golfers in achieving their individual goals. One of the greatest advantages of undertaking this conditioning programme is that the majority of the exercises can be performed in the convenience of your own home, using very limited equipment.

Please contact me if you would like any further information."

Steve Poole MILAM
Member of the World Golf Teachers Federation

Steve has spent 23 years in the Royal Air Force as a Physical Training Instructor and has extensive experience in physically conditioning sportsmen and women. He works with golfers of all abilities, ages and sexes. He is a Certified Teaching Professional with the World Golf Teachers Federation. For further information and advice email stevepoolegolf@aol.com or telephone 07814 980245.

(Visit the About Me page and see what Steve has to say about getting back into the "swing" and how soon should you exercise if you have been unfortunate enough to have had an operation which has stopped you from playing golf.)