Anyone else going to check out “The Golf Fix” on GC tonight? I set my DVR to record it and hope it’s not more of the usual stuff. I’m starting to get a little sick of tips and technique shows.
I do like the idea of the live component of the show - even though I won’t be watching it live!
I’m wondering what you all think is an “average” player. I’ve been doing a little digging and set up a poll over on the right hand side (please vote!) to see what folks think an average player shoots.
I’m convinced that if you look at the average handicap (I believe it’s around 15-16 according to the USGA), you are leaving out way, way too many casual and non-handicapped golfers. One of the things about golf that I really dislike is how elite it can feel at times.
I’ve personally been intimidated when playing golf for lots of reasons (lack of a fancy bag, perfect swing, the latest clubs etc…) and frankly, am a bit sick of it. Golf is a great, great game and the more I think about the barriers that exist for casual and inexperienced players the more I want to try to do something about it.
So… let’s start with what you think is an average player, take the poll on the right and leave comments below and we’ll go from there.
Photo credit
Need a quick pick me up or some new swing thoughts? Check out this graphic and the embedded video below. You can thank me later!
(I have no idea where this graphic came from, I saw it on a mailing list. If it’s yours, send me a note and I’ll give you some credit!
Getting in better shape has been a priority for me for a few months. I recently added an occasional pilates workout my other routines in an effort to focus on my core a bit more. Everything I read tells me that I’ll get some great golf benefits with a stronger, more flexible core.
To that end, I stumbled on to a company called GolfGym (or follow on Twitter) and decided to reach out to them to learn more and do a quick interview. I was thrilled that Ken responded so quickly and played along with my interview questions. He’s partnered with PGA Coach Joey D who works with Pat Perez, Tom Pernice, Jr., Ryuji Imada and Tim Wilkinson. I wanted to learn a little more about Ken, his business and getting fit for better golf.
I enjoyed doing this interview and plan to do more… so if you run a golf business, own a golf course, are a coach or just want to chat, drop me a note!
Golf is Hard:
Let’s start with golf… How often do you play, and what’s your handicap?
Ken/GolfGym:
It is a running joke that everyone in the golf business must play golf all the time…Actually we are busy running our golf businesses. So, I play as much as I can in the summer when the light is longer after I leave the office. I get out occasionally in the winter, given that we live in California. My handicap is about 15. I haven’t posted lately. I go out as a single most times and really enjoy just walking 18 holes with different partners and hitting good shots and generally don’t think so much about the final score.
GIH:
Let’s talk favorites… ho is your favorite current PGA and/or LPGA pro? Favorite all-time golfer?
Ken/GolfGym:
Favorite PGA Player is currently Ryuji Imada (he is highlighted on our new DVD’s and is a great guy and a very hard worker). I admire Morgan Pressel on the LPGA Tour.
GIH:
I’m fascinated by entrepreneurs who are able to carve a successful golf business for themselves, briefly tell me the story behind GolfGym.
Ken/GolfGym:
I created the Original GolfGym PowerSwing Trainer in 1987. I could go on for days. Better you go to: www.golfgym.com/story. Bottom line….tenacity.
GIH:
I’m a high handicapper and in decent shape (at least good enogh shape to walk 18), what should I be focused on during the winter to get myself into shape to play better golf this spring?
Ken/GolfGym:
Cardio is always good, but resistance training is the best. Go to my blog and view the last large post from December. It focuses on exactly what you are talking about.
GIH:
What are the key differences that amateurs and hackers should focus on that is different than training pro golfers?
Ken/GolfGym:
There really are no differences in the techniques you should use in your training. The difference is that the Pros hit so many balls every day and are so “Golf Fit” that they don’t necessarily have to concentrate on what their body is doing in their swing. They concentrate more on the tiny nuances that will make the ball go exactly where they want it to. If we would work more on our bodies and become stronger, we wouldn’t have to think so much about swinging harder only smoother. A firm base and strong core would help us develop a more consistent swing which would result in more consistent ball contact and better shots.
GIH:
My daughters are both lucky enough to play a bit of golf through the Girls Scouts but they are still very young (11 and 9). Can you share any tips for young female golfers?
Ken/GolfGym:
Most women, especially young women lack the strength necessary to generate enough club head speed to hit the ball farther consistently. Women for the most part are very flexible, that’s not the issue. It is the strength in the legs and core to hold a firm stance and control their upper body in the swing. Once again, golf specific resistance training is the answer. We recommend very light resistance with more golf specific repetitions to train the neurotransmitters in the body to fire more consistently.
Ken emailed me back a day after to clarify one thing on fitness:
Ken/GolfGym:
I did say that women are generally more flexible than men, but failed to make the point that both men and women have to make stretching (properly) a part of their regular routine.
Just saw this today and just entered myself. I think I will pass on the video though.
It’s your chance to test your game on one of golf’s greatest stages: The Black Course at Bethpage State Park in New York this June, playing under the same conditions the best golfers in the world will face at the 2009 U.S. Open Championship. We’re talking 7,426 yards of penal rough, fearsome bunkers and some of the fastest, firmest greens you’ll ever see.
You’ll tee it up with three world-famous celebrities, including basketball legend Michael Jordan (with Fred Couples on his bag, no less!), counting every shot, while the NBC cameras are rolling.
Six words are all it takes to enter the U.S. Open Challenge and get the chance to play the round of a lifetime. Something like…“The USGA rules. So will I."
So, what would I shoot? I don’t know, but when I signed up here are my 6 words.
“I hope I make a triple.”
Here are some other entries:
I’m on the hunt for some new great Golf blogs to read. Does anyone know any? I’m looking for offbeat and interesting blogs, not the big PGA focused stuff, or pure product blogs.
I stumbled onto a manufacturer/marketing company called GolfGym who has an interesting blog at http://www.golfgymblog.blogspot.com/ - yes, sometimes they are selling stuff, but more often it’s good content and ideas on fitness and training. I’m thrilled they are blogging! I wish they would do an online training course or something a bit more active during the offseason to help us duffers get into golf ready shape!
Know any others that you read on a regular basis?
Many of the golf blogs I had been following have either stopped posting or have become too advertising/marketing centric (not that there is anything wrong with trying to turn a buck here or there).
Right now, Life in the Rough is my favorite golf blog to read. It’s both personable and helpful, something I have been striving for here on Golf is Hard to achieve.
I’ve also added a list of golf blogs that I subscribe to on the right (—> look over there). So you can keep up with what I’m reading on a regular basis.
So, what golf blogs are you reading?
I’ve been wondering lately, as I’ve written down some annual and long term goals for myself, what exactly is this blog good for? Hmmm…
It’s been really fun to write and to hear from some of you from time to time. It’s clear that I’m a pretty bad golfer, but that I really do enjoy it quite a bit. Right now, playing a round of golf is the closest I can get myself to a real “zen” moment - the game simply demands that you be completely present at all times. I think that’s what I love most about it.
I think the answer to my question though, is that this blog is good for new golfers and bad golfers alike. I hope that it reflects back the best of why you play golf and occasionally makes you smile, laugh or even learn something.
So for now, I think I’ll stick with my random and sporadic approach; posting on things that are interesting to me and complaining about my lack of focus, inability to hit a soft chip shot and my horrible putting game.
For those of you like me who love statistics, here are some traffic numbers to Golf is Hard from 2008:
Saw this interesting piece on BBC News “Playing golf can ‘damage hearing” that is most certainly partially hype.
That said, here is the advice…
Players who use a new generation of thin-faced titanium drivers to propel the ball further should consider wearing ear plugs, experts advise.
The sonic boom created by these clubs apparently can damage your hearing. The worst offender was the Ping G10 at over 130 decibels. If you have one of those bad boys, you might want to dig up some earplugs!
The article isn’t specific about how often you’d need to play with to affect your hearing which is why I’m a tad skeptical of how seriously to take this article.
I usually walk and use a cart for my clubs, especially after hurting my leg last year. I enjoy walking a lot and sometimes feel like the push cart isn’t allowing me to burn as many calories as I’d like by walking. After all, one of the ways I justify playing golf is that it keeps me in shape (but not apparently enough to make any sort of aerobic difference).
Check out this informative article on Golf.com “Hit ball, drag bag and burn some calories, too” ofr all the details.
I don’t have a caddie, so that’s out… but it’s great news that there is little caloric difference between carrying and pushing. Sweet.
For you riders (the shame!), subjects burned more calories when they walked and carried their clubs (721) than when they rode in a cart (411).
Anyone wishing it was spring already?
I am.