To help PGA Magazine readers learn more about the ways they can bring golf together with health and wellness, we’ve added this recurring department that will include 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.
Bob Usher, PGA,Director of Instruction,Grey Oaks Country Club,Naples, Florida
During lessons, I am always analyzing golfers’ movements and seeking ways to improve them within their swings. Since completing the GFAA-Gray Institute 3D Functional Movement Coach and 3D Functional Golf Coach Certifications, it has been easier to assess golfers and show them how to move better using what I learned.
I no longer have to send my golfers to the gym for their assessments, and am now able to conduct these analyses during our golf lessons, making it easier for the golfer to understand. I still insist that golfers follow up with a personal trainer for more detailed assessments, but having the knowledge and ability to get the ball rolling with the Gray Institute 3D Functional Movement Coach Assessment has been beneficial to my students’ progress.
I record the assessment in our hitting bay so golfers can see the movement. After watching themselves move and understanding it, they can implement these concepts into their swing. I send them a video of the movement exercises and various golf drills to practice after every golf lesson, and I create a “locker” for each student using V1 Video Coaching software. The golfers receive additional movement screens and exercises during every lesson. It has been very inspiring to learn these new movements and to get creative while incorporating them into my golf drills. My students are better off for the work we do with health and wellness in mind, whether on or off the golf course.
Nicole Weller, PGA,Teaching Professional,Compass Pointe Golf Club,Leland, North Carolina
The game of golf takes place over a variety of platforms. Many in the industry focus on the physical aspects of the game, such as mechanics, nu trition, fitness and even how clubfitting merges the physical capabilities with proper equipment. There are, however, other skills that precede even the basic golf stroke, and they begin with the emotional and mental fitness of the participant, both of which tend to be undertrained in comparison to purchasing a new driver or working on a swing skill.
I split these emotional and mental platforms because the underlying emotions that kick in often accompany feelings that become the catalyst for the player’s thought patterns – how we initially feel about something becomes a belief as the consistent thoughts become more prevalent. Chemical reactions like adrenaline or cortisol then create sensations like blushing, shortness of breath or even nauseous feelings. At best, how would you imagine your best drive should look, sound or feel? What would it look like if you confidently strode into your 10-foot putt to win a match, and then sunk it? These are examples of allowing yourself to daydream or use imagery that creates good vibes and then “believing is seeing.”
Conversely, how would you imagine a poorly struck shot to look, sound or feel? Do you bring these images into your pre-shot routine as you stand over a ball and tell yourself not to hit it in the water or out of bounds? Take five seconds and imagine an impending golf disaster and the feelings that go along with it. These images and resulting feelings are very different than those discussed in the previous paragraph. My assignment for students is to inject an adverb into their images and statements of how you want to be when striving towards a goal and how that feels on the energy scale. Some examples include: “I’m going to hit this drive confidently. I’m entering into this activity optimistically.” Whatever happens, I’m committing to doing this patiently.” Help students exercise their emotional and mental focus, as well as the body and swing.