GolFIT Carolina

GolFIT Carolina is dedicated to helping golfers play better, healthier golf. It’s author/owner, Bob Forman, is a Certified Golf Fitness Instructor and Director of The Golf Fitness Academy at High Point Regional. He holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and certifications through the Titleist Performance Institute and Flexor motor learning program.

The articles, videos, and other related material presented here are intended to help golfers enhance swing mechanics and efficiency, thereby increasing distance, improving playing performance and satisfaction, and preventing/alleviating injury. This information is based on Bob’s 30+ years in the fitness industry and his work with golfers of all ages and levels. New information is constantly being added, so please take a look around and come back often.

THE MECHANISMS FOR GOLF INJURY
^{February 2, 2012}

It’s almost inevitable that if you play enough golf you’re going to suffer from some type of nagging ache or injury. It’s the nature of the game. Golf is a one-sided activity that is repetitive in nature and so will create imbalances and deficiencies in the body if left unchecked.

These imbalances and deficiencies can, by themselves, lead to injury as can poor golf swing mechanics. When you combine the two, you’ve got the perfect storm.

Don’t let anatomical defects keep you away from the game you love. Seek advice from a plausible resource to identify and correct the root cause(s). It’s not fixed in most instances till the mechanism(s) that got you to the pain is resolved.

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ESPN radio, 93.9 The Team, Myrtle Beach
Sunday, January 8
On location with Allen Smothers and Patrick Wilkinson at Burning Ridge Golf Course promoting the upcoming clinic and talking golf fitness.

Check out this video on Rory McIlroy. Hip speed is key for distance, which can be enhanced with the proper exercises.

^{Factors that will influence:
- internal hip rotation
- hip flexor flexibility
- hamstring flexibility
- X-factor
- spine angle
- core strength
- fast twitch fiber recruitment}

YOU'RE INJURED, NOW WHAT?
REHABING THE CHRONIC GOLF INJURY
^{January 1, 2012}
The chronic injury is an injury that develops over time, usually starting out as a nagging ache that hangs around. You’ve probably experienced them before. . .a twinge in the shoulder, hip or knee; the occasional low back thing; a little bit of soreness in the elbow. The ache can gradually intensify or just remain a nagging ache that can hamper your golf swing and/or your playing time and performance.

Most chronic injuries develop because we allow them to. Read more

YOU'RE INJURED, NOW WHAT?
REHABING THE ACUTE GOLF INJURY
^{December 1, 2011}
It’s come to my attention that people aren’t really quite sure what to do when an injury occurs and so I feel it warrants some ink. Improper rehabilitation of an injury can prolong the healing process and that equates to a delay in getting back out on the golf course.

Generally, there are two types of injury, acute and chronic. Acute is sudden like when twisting an ankle on a sprinkler head hole while the more nagging chronic injury develops over time and tends to hang around for awhile.

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BABY BOOM GOLFERS CAN BENEFIT TREMENDOUSLY FROM A GOLF FITNESS PROGRAM
^{November 1, 2011}You love golf and you want to play it forever, especially now that you’re about ready to settle into retirement. But your game isn’t quite up to speed like it used to be and/or your playing time has become limited due to an annoying ache that’s disrupting your ability to play.

It’s a scenario that’s all too common for the Baby Boom golfer, but one that can often times be addressed with a sensible golf fitness program. Take it to the bank, a knowledgeable golf fitness instructor can work magic with the “seasoned” player in (re)gaining distance, improving playing performance and satisfaction, and keeping those nagging golf-related injuries in check

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THE 3 PHASES OF GOLF FITNESS
^{October 1, 2011}
You’ve got to crawl before you walk and then walk before you run. That goes for your golf fitness program as well. Jumping ahead, like trying to run before you crawl, will more than likely result in ineffective outcomes, while raising the potential for injury.

When progressing through a golf fitness program, it is essential to correct the anatomical deficiencies first (the crawl) before moving into the golf-specific strength and balance phase (the walk), and this all should be done before adding any power exercises (the run) to the routine.

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THE GOLF FITNESS ASSESSMENT
^{September 2, 2011}

You wouldn’t go on a cross-country trip without mapping out the routes you want to take beforehand. Contractors wouldn’t build a house without first developing a blueprint. So why would you jump into an exercise program to improve your golf game without knowing exactly what areas you need to work on?

The golf fitness assessment IS A MUST if you really want to improve your game. The physical snapshot offers an in-depth look at your anatomical make-up. It exposes the weaker areas, helps to define the workout progression, and offers both you and the golf fitness instructor a solid direction in which you will need to take your golf fitness program.

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T-SPINE MOBILITY, YOUR GOLF SWING AND YOUR BACK
^{August 1, 2011}The T-spine, which stands for thoracic spine, is that area of the body encompassing the chest and middle of the back. In most golf fitness discussions, however, the main reference is to the mid-back. The primary muscle groups include the lats, trapezius,and rhomboids.

Mobility in the T-spine is imperative if you want to make a good upper body turn in both the back and downswing phases. It’s also essential if you want to reduce the potential for lower back injury.

Read more and see exercises