To help PGA Magazine readers learn more about the ways they can bring golf together with health and wellness, this department includes best practices information from the Golf Fitness Association of America (GFAA). The GFAA was started by the publishers of PGA Magazine in 2020 and is led by an advisory board of PGA of America Golf Coaches and highly regarded golf fitness experts, including GFAA President Dr. Steven Lorick. We hope you find this department beneficial and encourage you to learn more about the GFAA at golf.fitness.com.
Use the Right Terminology to Focus on Performance
Jason Baile, PGA2025 PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year,PGA of America Director of Instruction,Jupiter Hills Club, Tequesta, Florida
When you say “fitness,” some golfers think, “Oh, they’re going to ask me to lift something heavy up over my head, or spend a lot of time running on the treadmill.’”
We wanted to take that idea out of the equation. So, we changed to using the word “performance” because it still has a fitness element, but it’s really more about better stability, mobility and stamina for golf and for life. Lance Gill, a TPI-certified trainer, is a crucial piece of our puzzle. Lance works in our Golf Performance Center with the rest of our coaches, and, at least 50 percent of the time, he’s with me as I’m giving lessons. He’s definitely there for the initial evaluation with new members, and that makes performance part of the equation from the start. If that member wants to get 10–15 more yards off the tee, we do a 3D analysis together, using TPI language, so we can see what’s keeping them from getting those 10-15 yards. If we just jumped into trying to add speed right away, we might end up with an injured golfer. That, to me, is the difference between fitness and performance.
A member might come in for a lesson and be struggling with something, and I can call Lance in from the bullpen and, right away, start fixing any physical problems faster than I could on my own. Our first job is to protect our golfers since most of them have injuries and pain from everyday life. If they have bad posture or a bum shoulder, they’re not going to swing better until we improve those things. Now that we have this in place, everything else seems simple and fundamental, and it works across the board for a 15-handicapper or a scratch golfer.
I tell my peers two things anyone can do to jump-start a performance culture: First, get certified in a fitness system like TPI. Second, if you don’t have a fitness center at your facility, partner with a passionate fitness professional in your area. Let people see you working together with a fitness expert, and things will start to blossom. This prevents things from going sideways when you’re telling a student one thing and a fitness professional that you don’t know is telling them another. One concurrent message will improve performance, and you’ll end up with what we all want: a happier student playing better golf.
Brian Williams, PGA
Matt WilkesOwner and Coach,Mind Body Swing,Baton Rouge, Louisiana
At Mind Body Swing, we wanted to create more than just a golf training facility. We wanted to design an ecosystem where performance, lifestyle and community meet. Our golf shop reflects that same vision. It’s not just about selling apparel or gear; it’s about creating a space where our athletes, members and families can find everything they need to support the way they train, move and live. Whether someone is in here for a golf lesson, a fitness session or a mental training program, we’ve curated products that fit every side of that journey.
Our retail space bridges the gap between traditional golf shops and modern fitness boutiques. We carry apparel that transitions seamlessly from the simulator bay to the gym floor because our members live that duality. You’ll find performance polos and golf shorts right alongside training shirts, leggings and lightweight outerwear designed for movement. Many of our golfers spend as much time in the gym as they do on the range, and our goal is to provide apparel that supports both environments without sacrificing style or comfort.
We want every person who walks through our doors – from the 8-year-old junior to the 50-year-old executive – to feel like there’s something here built for them. Beyond clothing, our shop also focuses on the essentials of high performance, like fitness and recovery aids. We have juniors who are learning the game and training for competition, so we stock junior golf apparel, workout gear and accessories that make them feel like the athletes they’re becoming. The same way we approach coaching holistically, we want our retail experience to support the complete athlete before, during and after they train or play.
Lastly, as a performance hub, equipment fitting and customization play a key role in what we do. Members can be fit for clubs on-site using our advanced simulator technology, ensuring every player leaves with gear optimized for his or her game. We see our retail space as an extension of our coaching philosophy, as every product, every brand and every display is chosen to reinforce our belief that “different works.” It’s about serving the full spectrum of athletes who are redefining what golf looks like today.