The Club Fitting – Body Connection

Your golf clubs – and how your clubs fit you – can affect your body when you play golf!

by digitpedia under CC BY  with WPSEOPix

 

 

As a result of playing basketball in college, I have a right shoulder that needs some attention from time to time.  I described what happened as "I dove to the floor for the ball, and a 6 foot 6 guy dove for my shoulder."  Starting two weeks ago, I started some physical therapy for my shoulder, and also some full body massage.

I was surprised at some of the exercises that my physical therapy advisor suggested I do, and the success of these exercises.  She has me do left arm extensions, twisting to my left side, and left leg raises.  Amazingly, when I do these my right shoulder is often more loose and relaxed.  Why – "Connected Tissues" in the body.  Stretching my left side muscles can improve the flexibility of my right side – amazing.  

This caused me to remember one of my golfing friends who was having left elbow trouble.  Strong guy, but he had a very strong flex shaft in his driver.  Not only was he not hitting the driver well, but because he was attempting to force shots he was hurting his left elbow.  Softer shaft, no more elbow pain – and more distance too.

I am certain that one of the reasons PGA tour players make their shots look so effortless – besides their great technique – is that their clubs fit them well and they do not have to force their mechanics to get distance.  The opposite extreme occurs when someone says "well I have always used a stiff shaft in my fairway woods, I must still need one" without finding out if that shaft really works for him (true story, watched this guy struggle with his club on the range…).

If you find yourself losing distance on your golf shots, and you are suffering more body aches and pains than you have in the past – your body may be sending you a message about your golf clubs.  Getting the right fit can improve distance and accuracy – AND perhaps improve some of your aches and pains!

Any Club Fitting Questions – Ask The Club Fitter! – provide a question in the comment box of this post, and I will answer it either directly or in a future blog post.

The Fit Is IT!!

Tony