December 2012: The Instruction Blog: Golf Digest

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Fitness Friday: Making a better backswing

Friday, December 21, 2012

By Ron Kaspriske

Backswings come in all shapes and sizes on the PGA Tour, but there is one commonality. Whether it's J.B. Holmes' short-arm approach or Bubba Watson's Gumby-like move off the ball, the best players get their upper bodies fully turned. You'll never see a PGA Tour pro take the club back solely with their arms, but it's a common occurrence among amateurs.

There are two typical reasons for this type of abbreviated backswing. The first is psychosomatic. Amateurs are afraid if they turn their bodies away from the ball, they will swing and miss. The second is a physical issue. Many players can't turn more than a few inches because of limited mobility in their hips and mid-back.

If you fall into category No. 2, Golf Digest fitness advisor Randy Myers says there are a couple of simple exercises you can do to improve your turn. Myers, who works with many PGA Tour players including Dustin Johnson, turned on the camera and had trainer Jorge Parada and PGA Tour rookie Jonas Blixt (pictured) demonstrate them. Add these moves to your workout and you'll soon be making a better turn. Click on the video below to watch.

Ron Kaspriske is fitness editor for Golf Digest. His Fitness Friday column will resume on Jan. 4th.
Follow @Ron Kaspriske

(Photo by Getty Images)

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Fitness Friday: Get your cuffs primed for action

Friday, December 14, 2012

By Ron Kaspriske

When you hear the words rotator cuff, you might think about baseball pitchers sitting on the bench with their throwing shoulders wrapped in big bags of ice. But the four muscles that make up this part of the shoulder play a huge role in the golf swing. Not only do they provide control of the golf club, they also act as the brakes when your swing has to come to a stop. And just like the brakes of your car, they can wear out over time--especially if they aren't primed before the round.

Common injuries are inflammation of the muscles, impingements and tears. You'll know there's a problem by feeling pain or losing range of movement. But two other signs of injury to the rotator cuffs aren't as easily detected. One comes late at night. If you sleep on your side, and find yourself favoring one side because the other is uncomfortable, you could have issues with these muscles. And when you play golf, these two common swing faults might be a sign there's a problem:
1. You can't maintain the width of your swing you created at address and your arms collapse as you take the club back
2. Your left elbow bends during the follow-through, your cuffs could be damaged.

To help prevent injuries to your cuffs, PGA Tour fitness consultant Dave Herman (@superflexbands) demonstrates a few ways to warm-up your shoulder capsules. Click on the video below.

Ron Kaspriske is fitness editor for Golf Digest
Follow @Ron Kaspriske

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Fitness Friday: Every breath you take

Friday, December 7, 2012

Fitness riday: Breathing better

By Ron Kaspriske

You might have been told that during those pressure situations on the golf course, it's always best to take a deep breath to alleviate tension. While that advice is a little cliché, not to mention rudimentary, it's not entirely without merit.

Sport psychologist Dr. Leah Lagos spoke with Golf Digest assistant editor Steve Hennessey about controlling body function by the way you breath. You can actually overcome your body's instinctive "braking system" when thing get tense if you know how to control your oxygen intake, she said. Lagos had some tips on how to do just that.

To learn more about how your lungs can lower your scores, read Steve's article in our January issue here.

Ron Kaspriske is fitness editor for Golf Digest
Follow @Ron Kaspriske