There are all sorts of exaggerated body actions in golf. I believe students of the game often forget that individual physical differences account for these actions. There have never been two champions whose swings looked alike. All that happens is the player maneuvers his body so (a) it doesn’t interfere with his swing; (b) the clubhead stays on the chosen path and (c) the clubhead is square at impact.
Len Kennett, PGA
There is nothing like a major to bring out the “peeves”, here is what has bothered me so far:
- ESPN football guys announcing golf. (though still better than Johnny Miller’s self aggrandizement)
- It took ESPN a day and a half to realize that the “story” was the 17 year old holding par then taking the lead. (come on – you don’t need a degree in communications to identify the compelling storyline)
My final peeve is more localized,
- “Booo” to NBC for preempting the first 45 minutes of US Open coverage on Thursday with the LA Kings celebration parade. (which was covered live on every other local channel)
Now for the big weekend – cant wait – great leader board.
Teri G
Those of you who did the Nike VRS challenge at a WorldWide Golf Shop check your email (even spam) – don’t delete anything from Nike. They have done the drawing and you have a bit of time to respond – good luck to my customers.
Teri G.
Can eating the proper foods before and during your round of golf help you shoot lower scores? I say yes it can! It’s no longer a secret that the worlds of golf and fitness have recognized that a fit and healthy person who exercises regularly makes a better golfer. Yet, little attention is given to the importance of Sports Nutrition for golf. Research has shown that proper food intake improves overall health, boosts sports performance, enhances muscle recovery, and can help prevent injuries. Research also shows that weight loss and increased muscle mass are achieved 80% through proper nutrition and only 20% from exercise. Many professional golfers are accepting this and are now incorporating Sports Nutrition into their golfing regimen.
Golf is an endurance sport since most rounds are played over a 4 to 5 hour period of time. It’s just very low in its intensity and differs for those who walk and carry their golf bag (juniors, high school and college players) versus those who ride in a golf cart. Regardless whether you walk or ride, the golf swing itself, is an explosive power movement! Top touring pros swing the golf club in excess of 120 mph and the average golfer around 100 mph. This extreme speed is generated in just a few seconds from start to finish. In addition, the average golfer swings a golf club anywhere from 80 to 100 times during a round of golf. This count does not include the several times you swing a club during warm up. For this to happen successfully throughout your round, your muscles need the proper food (glucose) stored as energy (glycogen) as its major fuel source.
In addition, golf is a sport of skill that requires concentration. The brain itself requires food (glucose) to focus. Glucose, the building block of all carbohydrates, is the main fuel source required for both your muscles and brain. A diet lacking in glucose from skipped meals or very low carbohydrate diets, decreases both your muscles and brain’s ability to perform at their highest levels. Therefore, you must not skip meals! Especially breakfast!! Don’t be that person who finished dinner at 7 p.m. the night before your round, and then skip breakfast for a 9 a.m. tee time, you’ll be running on empty after not eating for 14 hours. Your muscles and brain have no fuel for the course. There is no way you will feel good, have the ability to concentrate, have the muscle strength to swing the club, or perform your best .
I hope this brief article has inspired you to start making some healthier food choices not only for your golf game but more importantly, your overall general health. Below is a sample menu you can try before and during your next round of golf.
David Russi, PGA, Registered Dietitian
Sample Menu
Breakfast – preferably before you tee off
• 2 hard boiled eggs
• 1 slice whole wheat toast with 1 tsp butter
• 1 banana
• 6 oz of low fat milk
• 6 oz of Coffee
Snack –between holes 3-4 & 15-16
• 10 almonds
• 10 raisins
• 8 oz water
Lunch – At The Turn
• 3-4 slices of Turkey or Ham
• 2 slices whole wheat bread
• 1Tbsp mayo/mustard
* 1 apple
* 8 oz of water
An older gentleman and his daughter came into the store looking for a set of irons for her. She hadn’t golfed before, so a static fit (height, wrist to floor and build) was in order. I spent about 15 minutes talking about the technical merits of the different sets of clubs on offer – perimeter weighting, forgiveness, lighter more flexible shafts. While he was nodding and listening intently, I am now convinced that she was hearing wah wah, wah wah wah, waaaaah. She let me wind down then turned to me and, in all seriousness, said “I would like something in a smokey blue-grey”. Her father smirked at me and I turned to her and said “I have something in a smokey blue-grey” (thank you Adams).
Moral – sometimes we can get bogged down in the technicalities, but ultimately this is a game for enjoyment, if you enjoy the color or the look you will be more confident and put a better swing forward.
Teri G.
A couple of years ago I fit a gentleman for a driver (I will call him Bob), he asked for 20 more yards and more accuracy, “sure no problem”. We hear this all the time, and with our ability to see launch and spin numbers it is very possible to now improve upon what you currently have. I was able to fit Bob for what he was looking for and he was ecstatic. I would guestimate that Bob was in his mid 50s, 5’9, with a swing speed of approx 90mph. This was a huge victory for me, since the swing was anything but pretty and we got him to about a 98% efficiency rating.
Then Bob brought in his friend (we’ll call him Jon). Jon was in his late 30′s, 6’3, with an average swing speed of 112mph. I got him into a driver that kept his spin rate down with a good aftermarket shaft, and he was bombing it.
I then started seeing Bob almost every day in the store, he traded in the driver I fit him for and kept buying new ones, the one Jon had, the one he read about online, the one his other friend was playing – it was never ending.
The reality check – Bob was in line to buy yet another driver and he stopped me and asked me what I thought about it, I told him it was a great driver but not right for his swing, I think he shut me out after I said it was a great driver. I then asked him what he was looking for and he said he wanted to hit it as far as Jon. I looked him straight in the eye and told him “there is no possible way, with your swing and your swing speed, that you will ever… ever hit the ball as far as Jon”.
Moral of the story – maximize what you can, then play your game.
Teri G.
