PROFESSIONAL golf has evolved into a sport that is now considered a highly athletic venture. Golfers appreciate the physical demands of the swing and how training is essential if they want to compete with the best.
I started working with Zara Woodbridge (daughter of retired tennis champion Todd Woodbridge) in mid-2015.
Standing at 6 feet, Zara [above] came to me having won the genetic lottery for a female player who wanted to be the best. My role has been to unlock her physical potential – an ongoing journey that has been challenging and extremely rewarding.
At the beginning of our training, Zara had just turned 14 and had rapidly grown to her current height. Although this growth maximised her future potential, it caused some immediate limitations, notably in her mobility and her ability to have the same precise control over her body and how it moved. She also started to experience some injury ‘niggles’ which were causing her some concern. We worked hard on ‘rebalancing’ her body and giving her a foundation of mobility, stability and strength that would condition her body to cope with the demands of a technically sound and powerful golf swing. Her hard work during the past year has gained significantly positive results. Here, she answers some questions on her training:
Australian Golf Digest: What do you feel is the biggest improvement in your game as a result of your fitness training?
Zara Woodbridge: The biggest improvement in my game is definitely how far I’m able to hit the ball. I just feel stronger over the ball and more powerful.
AGD: How much distance have you gained?
ZW: I have gained 20 metres off the tee and approximately 10m in my irons.
AGD: Do you think that your fitness training has given you any mental benefits on the course?
ZW: Fitness training has really helped with my concentration during my rounds. I also feel generally more confident on the course. This makes it easier to stay positive and I’m able to play shots that I wouldn’t have been able to six months ago.
AGD: What injuries did you experience? Do you still feel that these injuries affect your ability to practise and play at your best?
ZW: I had trouble with my knee and my lower back because I was growing so much and my body was just so tight. It was frustrating for me because it would affect my ability to play and practise. Lauren has helped me to improve my body and fix these injuries in our training. Now, my knee and back rarely hurt.
AGD: What is the most rewarding aspect of Lauren’s training?
ZW: Wow, it’s hard to pick one! I have never been a big fan of fitness training but Lauren makes it enjoyable while still pushing me. Even though our sessions are challenging, I really feel a lot of positive benefits from training.
AGD: What do you feel is your biggest golfing achievement so far?
ZW: Coming sixth at the Riversdale Cup this year. Another one was shooting 2-under par while playing in the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews earlier this year. I can also never forget the time Dad and I won the Sir Dallas Brooks Victorian Mixed Event in 2013.
AGD: What are your goals in the sport?
ZW: My aspirations are to be world No.1 and play on the LPGA Tour.
AGD: And finally … we understand your dad plays off a 3 handicap. Can you beat him?
ZW: Ha! Yes. I know how to get in his head.
