You
are on the 'About' - Dear Diary page
(click
on the golf balls above for more pages)
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| I
am going on a Golf Conditioning programme that has been created by
Steve Poole. Steve is a Golf Conditioning and Injury Specialist
and a member of the World Golf Teachers Federation. (Click
here to read about the benefits of golf conditioning).
I
will be sharing my experiences with you.
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| Golf
Conditioning Diary: |
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| Week
1 |
Flexibility
Assessment |
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Here
I am dressed in tracksuit top and bottoms waiting to be assessed
for my flexibility. Does Steve realise that he will be dealing with
a "stiff old bird" who can't even touch her toes!
After
a discussion with Steve about any illnesses or injuries that I may
have or suffered from in the past, I was asked to do some simple
stretching exercises. These would help Steve to identify any muscle
imbalances and joint restrictions that could cause altered swing
mechanics that could lead to injury or loss of technique.
The
gentle stretching exercises certainly found those areas of my body
where I know I have problems and I could see Steve scribbling away
at his notes. From these results a development stretching programme
will be drawn up and will form the basis of the next session.
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Week
2
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Development
Stretching Exercise |
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Steve
took me through a few exercises which I should now do at least once
a day to get my old body of mine more balanced and flexible. These
exercises have been specially formulated following my first week's
assessment. They don't take very long and can be
done anywhere. The best time to do them is just before
going to bed at night or an hour before playing golf.
As
you can see, one of the exercises can be performed anytime,
anywhere, using a door frame. This exercise will
stretch my "tight" shoulder muscles which of course
are needed in the golf swing.
I
have purchased a "FitBall" to do a couple of the exercies
but it isn't essential for the moment. The
ball can be purchased online from www.physique.co.uk
and is very reasonable. |
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| Week
3 |
Pre
Event Stretching |
For
this stage, Steve takes me through a set of Warm Up exercises prior
to a game of golf. Steve explained that the golf
specific Warm Up will lubricate joints, warm muscles and connective
tissue and activate the nervous sytem, sharpening the senses. Some
stretching exercises may cause some muscles to tighten to protect
the joints but by using dynamic and muscle energy exercise the body
feels less threatened and allows the joints to move more freely. I
am with him on this - I need all the help I can get to keep my joints
moving!
These pre-event stretching exercises should be performed without prolonged
static holding positions. Dynamic stretching should
target tight areas without stopping, simply moving in and out of the
stretch position repetitively, until loose.
Steve
demonstrates one of the warm up exercises that you can do in
your home before leaving to play golf. Other exercises
can be done when you get down to the first tee.
I
found the Warm Up exercises very simple to do and it was amazing
how after just a few stretching exercises I felt that warm tingling
sensation which showed that my body was preparing itself to
play golf! Its also great to know exactly how to warm up on
the 1st tee. |
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| Week
4 |
Post
Event and Maintenance Stretching |
Have
you ever come straight off a golf course, put your card in for checking,
arranged with your golfng partners to have a drink in the bar, then
after a drink or two, stand up and wonder why your legs are so stiff
and you feel tired?
Well, like any sport (and Golf is an athletic game) your body needs
to "wind down". The exercises that Steve
showed me will loosen up the muscles that were used to play and walk
round 18 holes of golf. They also help to de-activate
your brain after perhaps a very competitive matchplay round when,
even if you win or lose, you're on a "high". This
often prevents you having a good night's sleep when all your brain
wants to do is play the whole round again and again!!
I
have been given specific exercises that will help the niggles
I get in my back and will prevent long standing injuries. Steve
has given me several exercises but I need not do all of them,
just choose on the day those that are suitable to do after a
round of golf.
The
picture shows Steve demonstrating the 90/90 Hip Stretch exercise
which is especially good for me as it stretches and thereby
loosens any stiffness in my hips following a game of golf. |
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| Week
5 |
Neuromuscular
Isolation - Phase 1 |
I
now have a set of exercises which are designed to take 10 - 15 minutes
per day. These exercises have been prescribed to me to increase brain
and muscle communication. They will stabilise the lower area and therefore
will help to produce a more powerful swing.
Steve explained that the abnominal muscles not only go up and down
but round the stomach area as well and if this area is strong internally,
it will form a more stable base from which to swing and generate power.
Even the simple breathing exercises will strengthen the internal muscles
and no, I won't be getting a "six pack stomach" but they
will produce "inner strength". Every woman who has had to
give birth knows about these muscles!
I intend to do these exercises during my lunch hour and because they
are not aerobic, I need not change into my lycra (thank goodness everyone
says) but will do them in my working clothes. I will continue with
these exercises for 6 - 8 weeks after which Steve will take me on
to a harder set of exercises.
Already I feel that when I drive the ball I am less "wobbly"
and feel much more stable. If only I had done this when I was younger
then they might have been talking about me and not Michelle Wei!
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