One of the greatest things about living in Colorado is the ability to play golf almost all year long. For most, it’s a chance to enjoy the outdoors, improve the game or see how far one can throw the clubs. No matter what group of golfers you belong to, golf is popular, and it’s been said that even a bad day golfing is better than a good day at the office.You can enjoy your game more and improve your performance by staying flexible, physically and mentally. Most players think nothing of buying the best clubs, the right clothes and paying for lessons from the local golf pro, but most players do not have a specific exercise program geared toward improving their golf game. Most golf professionals use a golf-specific conditioning program to enhance their game, just as other athletes do. Doing the same can help anyone improve his or her golf game, minimize injury and help improve quality of life off the course as well.No matter your age, a conditioning program should include three components: strength training, flexibility and cardiovascular conditioning. Improving your fitness level enables you to hit the ball a greater distance with less effort. This can lead to a more consistent ball flight and, in turn, lower the scores, increasing your enjoyment of the game. Increased distance can also be achieved by increasing muscular strength and developing more power to generate increased club head speed.Also important is improving cardiovascular conditioning. Playing a round of golf is not enough to complete this task, and it is hard to enjoy your game if you are out of shape and walking a course 6,000 feet above sea level. You can walk, ride a bike or run to increase your energy levels, fight fatigue and stay focused for all 18 holes. A 15-minute walk two to three times a week is a great beginning for those who have not exercised in a while.Decreased flexibility (lack of motion in a joint or muscle) in the shoulders, hips or low back may significantly alter your swing. Many times on the course, you’ll see a golfer unload his clubs to his cart, load up his cooler, put on some sunscreen, swing their driver around three to four times and begin play. This is an ineffective warm up for any type of exercise, and the speed with which a golfer performs his or her swing can cause damage to these fragile joints. You can easily increase your range of motion in the shoulders, hips, torso, low back, arms and legs with just five minutes of stretching done on a daily basis. Always warm up before getting onto the course. Five minutes of walking will warm up and lengthen muscles, which in turn decreases the potential for injury.Additionally, carrying a heavy bag for 18 holes (or even nine) can be harsh on your spine. Most bags are overloaded, and the stress of carrying one can cause your spine to compress and your muscles to become imbalanced, leading to possible disc problems and nerve irritation. When possible, don’t carry your bag, use a pull cart. When riding in a cart, walk whenever you can – bouncing around in a cart can also be hard on your spine.Always be sure you stay hydrated – with WATER! Dehydration causes fatigue, which you may try to compensate for by using a harder, more forceful swing, increasing your risk of injury.Doctors of chiropractic are trained to address health concerns that can affect your game. Many will provide fitness and wellness advice for all types of athletes (as well as non-athletes). It is common for golfers, even the pros, to play better after receiving chiropractic care. Many PGA players, including Tiger Woods and Fred Couples, have been under chiropractic care for years. Their motivation for care is optimal performance, rather than pain relief. Chiropractic locates and corrects the cause of the interference that may be keeping one’s body from functioning at its potential. The inability to function well may stop you from sinking a 12-foot putt. Chiropractic can help you live a healthier life and achieve a better golf score.**Thank you to the Colorado Chiropractic Association for information used in this article.
