Posted in Pro Tips by Jon Bird on 19th September 2008

In many ways the game of golf has come along way in the last 20 years. Unfortunately most golfers fail to recognize the physical demands placed on their bodies during a game of golf. They address the ball with a weighted object that has to accelerate with maximal force to produce drives that are often in excess of 90% of their maximum capacity. During a round this will take place some 30-40 times, sometimes repeated 4-6 times in a week. In addition there will be time spent at the driving range. Due to sheer volume and frequency, these forces placed on the body have a massive impact. It is no wonder that some 53% of golfers complain of lower back pain.

Golfers need to think about the way they use their bodies. It's time for a change. The more successful players can account a certain amount of success down to their training. One approach to this training is core stability, in other words the Pilates system, which golfers can adapt to quite easily. Pilates is all about focus and so is golf; it is about movement from the centre of the body and using these muscles for control, and so is golf.

Following a Pilates system allows you to recognize where you have imbalances within the body, where perhaps one side is stronger than the other, or more flexible. It helps to address these issues and work towards a more balanced posture. Pilates will literally build up strength from the inside out, teaching you to engage the deep abdominal muscles to protect the lower back. When these are engaged they form a 'corset' around the waist to protect and stabilize while you swing.

Your golf pro can give you the best advice to improve your swing, but if the control and flexibility is not there in the first place, there is limitation to your game going forward. Pilates can help you to make these corrections within the body, to strengthen the core (the very deepest abdominal and back muscles), increase flexibility build stability in the pelvis and shoulder girdle area, balance both sides of the body, which will in time, allow you to hit further, stronger and more accurately.

Golfers need to learn to use the most powerful driver available to them - their bodies.