Strategy Golf Central Golf Magnets

I read an article on the ABC News website recently that was entitled "Drs attracted to magnets". It could just as easily have read "Golfers attracted to magnets".

Carefully watching a tournament these days on T.V. or even playing a round with friends reveals more magnets than are on my kitchen refrigerator. According to a book entitled "Magnetic Therapy", written by (2) medical doctors, in 1998 between $3.5 and $4 million was spent on magnets for race horses alone. Santa Anita race track that year used magnets on over 50% of its horses - So much for the "placebo effect".

Golfers too are increasingly turning to magnets for a variety of reasons. "Magnetic Therapy", the book referred to earlier, mentions the 1995 and 1996 career of Senior PGA Tour golfer Jim Colbert." In 1994 Colbert referred to himself as a "cripple". Watching him walk down a fairway or pulling a ball out of hole was painful even for the seasoned television viewer. Yet in 1995 he was the leading money winner on the Senior Tour beating the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. And then in 1996 he was tops again and was voted Player of the Year. People couldn't believe that this was the same guy that moved like a "golfing" robot in '94. Colbert directly attributes his success entirely to magnets, and has stated publicly numerous times that he could not play golf without them.

Now don't run out to your local pizza parlor and ask them for a handful of magnets for your refrigerator. And especially don't embarrass yourself by telling them it is to improve your golf game. There is a difference, and although Magnetic Technology is relatively inexpensive, it does take a specialized magnet for these types of applications. You see them worn by professional and amateur athletes all the time these days especially as wrist bracelets. But look closer and you will see them as neck chains, socks and even insoles for the shoes.

Think about something: Does your game begin with your arms or with your feet? If your feet hurt and your legs ache does it affect your whole game? Can your balance, starting with your feet, affect your consistency off the tee?

Just like changing your mind-set to start playing Strategy Golf, you just might have to start thinking "magnets".

Magnetic insoles were most recently used in a large nation wide scientific study with patients who had diabetic neuropathy. The results were close to amazing: If magnetic insoles helped those patients, then what about golfers with aching legs and sore feet? Hmmmmm?????

The Secret's Out! - Mobility for Distance

Do Not Stretch Before Your Round!!!

** Did I read that right??? **

Stretching and Flexibility

Flexibility is important in all phases of the golf swing. The different phases require various parts of your body, muscles, joints and ligaments including neck, wrists, shoulders, trunk, knees, hips and ankles. If one of these joints or structures are limited you may not notice. Your body is very good at making adjustments in order to complete its task. However this can lead to various compensations and muscle imbalances which could present as a slice, hook, or just a general bad shot. Therefore it is important to gain and maintain balanced flexibility throughout your joints to allow full range of motion of your swing.

Timing of your stretching is also important

Although stretching should be done as a part of your daily life, to stretch right before or during a golf round can inhibit the muscles for a short period of time leading to decrease in power output (that is less distance in the mind of the golfer). But doing regular stretching away from the game will actually help in:

Always remember that it is best to do relaxed, sustained stretches with focus on the muscles being stretched. When you begin, start with easy stretches and don't force it. Do not bounce and only go to the point of where you feel relatively mild tension then relax as you hold the stretch for 15-30 seconds. You will notice the tension subside as you hold the position. You can then begin to move slowly an inch further in each position till you feel again a mild tension and again hold that for 15-30 seconds. If the tension at any point does not subside then back off just a bit. The idea is to gradually stretch out the muscles.

Your breathing should be slow, rhythmical and under control. Exhale as you head into the stretch position and then breathe slowly as you hold the stretch. Never hold your breath during the stretch.

The two areas most affected by the golf swing are your shoulders and your hips and they are the areas that give you your club head speed. As people get older, those two areas begin to restrict and so it is important to stretch both areas regularly.

Summary.. A proper stretching routine can help prevent injury and allow for a smooth and powerful swing.

Mobility and Warm Up

The secret here is "Mobility Exercises"

Several studies have shown that a proper warm up

(often neglected by golfers)

can increase club head speed at contact by up to 24% (British Journal of Sports Medicine). The (suggested) warm up included 4 exercises, 9 stretches and 30 seconds of swings with gradual increase in intensity and range of motion. It is important to prepare the muscles for the activity they are required to do. Dynamic stretches where the muscles are contracting, muscle activation exercises, and movement preparation help you generate more power.

Another important element for increased power is called the x-factor - Originally thought to be the difference between the amount of shoulder rotation versus hip rotation.

It was thought the better golfers had a larger gap between hip rotation and shoulder rotation at the top of their back swing. Researchers discovered the important part was in early phase of the down swing. The x-factor stretch is a result of the hips starting to rotate forward prior to the shoulders reaching the top of the back swing. At the same time the hips are rotating faster than the shoulders. The golfer has now preloaded their trunk for maximum power.

Being able to activate the hip and glute muscles will increase your x-factor stretch.

Strength Training

Most people don't associate strength training with golf but a study by the National Strength and conditioning Associations journal showed amateur golfers increased their driving distance after performing 8 weeks of strength training while incorporating plyometrics. Subject performed 3 sets of 6-8 reps of 9 strength exercises and 3 sets of 6 reps of 4 plyometric exercises 2 times per wk. We suggest some modifications of the study exercises as some can be stressful on the lumbar spine.

So to maximize your golf performance and help prevent injury, perform a regular strength program, maintain good flexibility and incorporate a proper warm-up.

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