I’ve always viewed golf instruction through two lenses: that of a golf professional and also of an occupational therapist. My Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Sport Science from Penn State University and Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Chatham University in Pittsburgh have given me a unique perspective on the physical side of the golf swing. Simply put, my overarching area of expertise is the body.
That background is particularly important because many golfers are physically unable to perform the movements necessary to produce their most efficient golf swing. A golfer may understand exactly what he or she is being asked to do technically, but if they don't have the mobility, balance, strength or coordination to execute the movement, simply practicing the swing won't necessarily solve the problem. That is why I don't follow a template when I teach golf.
During my many years at Scally’s Golf Center, a family business and multi-year Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) Top 50 Stand Alone Facility, I have let the student sitting in front of me determine what I address. Every golfer is different, and I pay attention to what I see during the lesson. If I notice a physical limitation, I may talk to the student about stretching, strengthening, mobility or balance. Because of my professional education and experience, I can usually identify physical deficiencies relatively quickly.
I sometimes tell my students that I have my occupational therapist hat on during certain parts of the lesson, in addition to my golf professional hat. That adds to the credibility I bring to the table. Sometimes, they want to know about the technical aspects of the golf swing more than how their body is affecting that swing. But I go with the flow, satisfying their desires during our lesson time together, while always including discussion of or attention to the physical impact their body has on their performance.
My teaching schedule is busy — I give at least 1,000 lessons a year, often 30-40 per week during the summer and 15-20 lessons per week during the winter — so fitness isn't a separate component of my business in the way it once might have been. I don't have a gym at my facility, although I do have some bands and other basic equipment. Instead, I incorporate physical recommendations into my lessons when they are appropriate.
The recommendations can range from very simple to more advanced. Sometimes I'll prescribe specific stretching or strengthening exercises. Other times, I'll suggest something that can easily be incorporated into a student's daily routine, such as working on balance while brushing their teeth. The important thing is that the recommendation fits the individual.
Most of my students are aware of their physical limitations, particularly once I explain what I am seeing and how it relates to their golf swing. They are generally receptive to the information. The bigger challenge is finding the time to do something about it.
People are busy. It can be difficult enough to get golfers to practice their golf drills, let alone add flexibility and strength training to an already crowded schedule. Because of that, I've learned to make physical training as practical as possible.
If a student has only a limited amount of time to devote to golf, I may actually tell them not to spend all of that time hitting golf balls. I want them to be physically prepared to practice first.
I sometimes tell students, “I'm a Scally, so you probably think I would be telling you to hit tons of golf balls.” But if their body isn't prepared to make the movement we're working on, hitting another bucket of balls is most likely not the best use of their time. If we practice poor movement over and over, we're not necessarily making the golfer better. Instead, I may prioritize a few exercises or stretches they can perform at home and then have them return to the range when they are better prepared to move.
The physical limitations I encounter can vary dramatically. I've worked with older golfers who have obvious mobility or strength issues, but I've also seen significant limitations in younger players. Recently, I had a younger female student who had remarkably limited rotational mobility. She had no injury history, but her ability to rotate in her backswing was significantly restricted.
In that situation, we needed to address the physical limitation rather than simply trying to manipulate the golf swing around it. That's an important distinction for instructors. Sometimes the best technical adjustment is actually a physical conversation.
If a golfer doesn't have the mobility to make a full turn, for example, I may have to shorten the backswing. If someone doesn't have the strength or stability to use their lower body aggressively, we may have to modify that part of the swing. Those physical limitations can ultimately place boundaries on what a golfer can accomplish. This is why I believe continuing education is so important for PGA and LPGA Golf Professionals.
Golf professionals don't necessarily need to become fitness trainers or health-care providers. But they can participate in continuing education and pursue additional certifications that give them a better understanding of the physical side of golf. That knowledge can help them recognize potential limitations and, just as importantly, know when something is outside their realm of expertise.
Building relationships with qualified health care and fitness professionals is another important piece of the puzzle. I have fitness professionals in my area whom I can refer students to, as well as a chiropractor who has worked with PGA Tour players. If I encounter something that requires expertise beyond what I should be addressing as a golf professional, I am comfortable making a referral.
I think that's the best approach: understand your own area of expertise, recognize when a student needs additional help and have trusted professionals available for referrals.
My occupational therapy background has given me a particularly strong foundation in that regard. I worked as a pediatric occupational therapist for approximately 15 years, primarily on a contract basis, while pursuing my golf career. I played Division I golf at Penn State, stepped away from the game for several years while earning my master's degree, then returned to competitive golf, eventually becoming a top amateur, playing in the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur and competing professionally on the Futures Tour.
That experience taught me a great deal about motor-skill acquisition, motor planning and motor development — knowledge that continues to influence my teaching. It also changed the way I think about golf fitness.
When I first became a teaching professional, I was coming from the perspective of a competitive player who was willing to commit completely to fitness. I assumed my students would be willing to do the same, but reality quickly showed me that wasn't the case.
There aren't as many “all-in” students as an instructor might wish there were. People have jobs, families and other responsibilities. Even when they understand that better mobility or strength could improve their golf, they may not have the time to devote to it. So I try to meet them where they are.
With juniors, I make an effort to establish good habits early. During junior camps and our junior development academy, I incorporate stretching routines before they play. Younger golfers tend to be receptive, and I want them to understand that taking care of their bodies is part of becoming a better player.
I also know from personal experience how important that can be. I played at a high level when I was younger, and I've had two shoulder surgeries and significant back problems. Physical preparation simply wasn't emphasized in golf to the same degree when I was developing as a player.
Today's young golfers have the benefit of seeing professional players incorporate strength, mobility and physical preparation into their careers. That makes it easier to explain why the physical side of golf matters.
Ultimately, my goal isn't to turn every golfer into a fitness enthusiast. It's to help golfers understand their bodies well enough to play better golf and, ideally, play the game longer. For some golfers, that may mean gaining distance. For others, it may mean improving mobility or balance. And for many, it may simply mean being able to play comfortably for years to come.
The physical side of golf doesn't have to involve hours in a gym. Sometimes it's a few minutes of stretching at home, a simple strengthening exercise or a balance drill incorporated into the daily routine. The key is recognizing that the body is part of the golf swing — and sometimes, improving the body is the first step toward improving the swing.
Jill Finlan Scally is an LPGA Teaching Professional at Scally's Golf Center in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.