Hi, my name is Kris and I had a question about the golf swing. I noticed that on the PGA tour Gary Woodland creates a tremendous amount of speed, the thing I really like about his swing is the compactness of it, something I am working on. I notice in Garys swing is that when he starts the backswing and gets to the top his body shifts to the left, My question is what is this called? and how does that type of motion increase the angle coming down creating more speed? Also, how do you achieve this to get more distance? I have been trying to work on this but cant get it. Thanks for your help

Hi Kris,

All of the best swings in the world have this "move" in their golf swing. It's just the proper Kinematic sequence to start your downswing with a body weight shift to the left for right handed golfer and hip turn.

Two drill you can practice is stop your back swing at the top of your swing and hold that position, then try and shift your weight to the left as your downswing starts. The second drill is get into you golf posture and take your right foot and put it directly behind your left or lead leg, take full swing from this position. Hope this helps...Thanks, Dave

My left hip is not as flexible as my right hip internally & externally. Been trying a number of things to help. I am a right handed player and feel that this keeps me from making good swings. Any thing would help. Thanks, Jay

Hi Jay,

I have a Golf Fitness Channel on you tube that I add things to each month. Check out this short video of exercises to increase hip mobility.

http://www.youtube.com/user/bellhfc?feature=guide#p/u/2/hHNvhyPBLYo 

Hope this helps,

Thanks,

Dave Maloney

Hi Jay,

This is a common physical issue with golfers and your right, it does prevent you from  making good swings. One of my favorite exercises for hip mobility is called "Hip Drops" if you go to www.youtube.com/user/bellhfc?feature=mhee this is my fitness channel search hip mobility and you'll see a video that addresses tight hips.

Thanks,

Dave

Dave, Thanks!

Is there a link to a place on the TPI site where there is a great high level workout for range of motion for competitive golfers in their 40's?  Or do you have a program that you recommend? 

Thank you!

Chris

Hi Chris,

It's difficult to prescribe a golf fitness program without first going through a TPI assessment. Some joints may have great ROM and others may be limited. I would search for a TPI fitness instructor in your area and get a custom program made for you.

Thanks,

Dave

Hi Chris,

I would suggest you get an assessment from a TPI instructor and he/she can make a specific workout just for your needs! I'm working on a self assessment you could do on your own and then I can make a program just for you and access it from anywhere you have internet. I'll let you know when it's finished.

Thanks,

dave

Hi, my name is Cam and I have a pretty basic workout regime that was given to me by a personal trainer. Should I go see a tpi certified trainer to get a golf specific program?

Hi Cam,

You should go see a TPI golf fitness instructor...they will set you up with such a better golf specific program to improve your golf game.

Thanks,

Dave

Hi Dave.

I am 13 and a 7 handicap but I am looking for a lot more distance of the tee. I hit it about 235 right now and even though I can still beat my buddy (Will S), he hits it 260 and is 2 months older than me and 1 inch taller. What are the primary golf muscles I should be working out to gain distance? Also I am relatively skinny for a 13 year old (110 LBS). What's the best way for me to gain weight?

Thanks

Nate

Dave -
I'm 62 and want to increase strength appropriate to golf (along with losing weight which I am doing...). What is a TPI Instructor and how do I find one? You are about 1000 miles from me.
Thanks.

HI Don,

TPI is Titleist Performance Institute certified instructor's. TPI instructors have been trained to provide an assessment looking at your physical make up and how that is affecting your swing. They will also provide you with a 6 week exercise program. Go to www.mytpi.com and search for an instructor close to you. I will be able to have you do a home assessment by yourself and then I can provide you with a specific program. info@mygolfconditioning.com

Thanks,

Dave

Hi Nate,

I'm a little jealous that you are a 7 handicap..congrats on that. You have plenty of time to gain some weight. I was very thin as I was growing up and now I'm 225 lbs w/ 10% body fat. I used to eat something every 3 hours and I also would use a protein shake to try and get some extra calories.

The glute (butt) muscles are considered among the most important to get strong. The power from a golf swing starts from the ground up. Squats and lunges are two of the best.

Thanks,

Dave

Hi Dave,

I'm 16 and pursuing a college golf career. I'm a 1 handicap right now and trying to take my game to the next level so I have started going to the gym this year. I have already picked up about 10 yards off my driver and am looking to continue to get stronger.  I'm often told to work on my core strength.  Any specific things that I should be working on?

HI Skylar,

Congrats on getting in golf shape and making that part of your improvement plan. If you visit my youtube channel, this month I have a great upper body/core exercise Push up w/arm extension. go to www.youtube.com/user/bellhfc?feature=mhee to find a number of different golf exercises.

Thanks,

Dave

Dave,

On my take away, I have problems getting the club back fully.  I used to be a tennis pro and my right shoulder is very tight.  What are some flexibility drills can I do?

Ronnie

Hi Ronnie,

If you do a search on www.mytpi.com search open book w/bent arm and internal and external rotator cuff exercises. These should help you. A common swing fault with tight or injuried rotator cuff is coming out of your posture in your back swing because your right rotator cuff is too tight to externally rotate at the top of your backswing.

Hope this helps!

Thanks,

Dave Maloney

www.mygolfconditioning.com

I now have a number of free golf fitness video's on my web site. These exercises are not a substitute to seeing your health care provider.You can also take a mental profile test.

Thanks,

Dave

http:www.mygolfconditioning.com

@Dave - I had a problem with a swing shutdown that would pop up after 45 min - 1 hour of practice or maybe after 16 holes of golf.  Doesn't occur that much now if at all.   I would be going along hitting nice straight shots and putting pitch and chip shots very close.  Then all of a sudden I would start severely pulling the ball and if I tried to hit on target, the result would be a shank.  I basically attributed it to the right foot getting stuck and an inability to clear the hips.  The worst case is not being able to even chip it.  Before the only way was to stop practicing or walk in.  Then I would go in the morning and the problem disappeared.  Nowadays if the problem surfaces, I can check my stance and balance and recover from it.

It was like my lower body was shutting down and the right arm was taking over.

Part of the problem is that I had improperly fit clubs (I had been using off the shelf clubs between 1972-2003).  Another thing that helped was going to a more compact backswing.

Lately the issue had been going to the driving range and hitting balls for awhile and apparently doing OK.  When I would go to the neighborhood park the following day and start out with an inability to hit a good shot (often would hit fat) and it would take about 20 minutes before I would hit consistently.  If I go to the park or the practice greens a couple days after going to the range I'll go out and hit a perfect shot cold.  Also another thing that would throw me off is hitting off the launch monitor mats and then attempting to play golf a couple hours later (I did this on the way to the course about a couple months ago).

I find my best results for playing golf is to stay away from the driving range at least 2 days before a round.  What I do for a warmup is take a lob wedge and do some chip/pitch shots and then a couple full swings on the way to the course.  I play around a 12 handicap normally.

The other thing that sometimes happens near the end of a round is I start hitting high fades with the driver and fairway woods. 

What in the muscles would cause the right foot to get stuck or loss of balance?