So you’re a golfer thinking about taking your game to the next level. You have all the latest gear and you get regular lessons with your local golf pro. Now, it’s time to work on that unreliable body, the most important club in your bag. But where do you start?
With the help of tour players and industry experts, we compiled a list of Australia’s leading specialist golf-fitness coaches so you can gain distance, increase consistency and, most importantly, reduce injury to ultimately perform at your best.
GOLF-FIT GLOSSARY:
Tools used by Australia’s best golf-fitness trainers
1. Barbells & Dumbells: One of the most traditional tools used in strength and conditioning, the barbell and dumbbell are key players in any programming designed to increase a golfer’s strength.
2. Trap Bar: A variation of a barbell mostly used by golf S&C coaches for variations of the squat and deadlift. This tool is perfect for golfers because of the natural hand positioning it allows due to its design.
3. Kettlebells: Enter the ultimate functional training tool. The kettlebell works so well for golfers because of their versatility, and as a general rule, they’re ideal for explosive movements. Every golfer should have one of these in their garage.
4. Resistance Bands: One of the more versatile and portable pieces of equipment, resistance bands come in various forms, but have proven to be instrumental in all important muscle activation and are perfect for pre exercise/game warm-ups.
5. TRX Suspension Trainer: The TRX [pictured] is an extremely versatile bodyweight training tool that facilitates a multitude of functional and traditional movements. You will find these in most gyms, however, these are very portable and serve as a great companion in small spaces or while travelling.
6. Landmine/ Torsonator: This attachment allows the barbell to be used in any plane of motion, ideal for core training and other explosive movements, the landmine is a must have in any strength trainers toolkit.
7. 3D Strap from Whatsthatstrap: This tool allows you to train your core with no hands. The strap coils around your body forcing you to perform any movement while withstanding rotational forces.
8. Gravity Fit T-PRO: One of the few products that can be used in the gym and on the driving range, the Gravity Fit T-Pro provides kinaesthetic feedback to the athlete to help maintain connection from the arms to the torso, important in gym settings and on the course.
9. Superspeed Speed Sticks: This is a really cool product that has been designed to increase clubhead speed using the principals of over-speed training. The sticks are great because they fit into your golf bag, but can also be incorporated in to a physical training program.
Victoria
Name: Oliver Yourn
Business name: Fit Golf, Australia
E-mail: [email protected]
Mobile: 0400 066 682
Website: www.fitgolf.com.au
Socials: @fitgolfaus (Instagram), Facebook.com/fitgolfaus (Facebook)
Evaluation: $199 Hourly rate: $99
Favourite tool in the gym: Resistance bands, TRX and barbells.
Name: Scott Williams
Business name: Golf Performance Science
E-mail: [email protected]
Mobile: 0402 102 040
Website: www.pgaclp.com.au
Socials: facebook.com/golfperformancescience (Facebook)
Evaluation: $145/hour (private health rebates available under Exercise Physiology)
Hourly rate: $145 (private health rebates available under Exercise Physiology)
Favourite tool in the gym: Generally speaking, the barbell. But for golfers, I can’t go past the Powerband (thick elastic long band).
Name: Luke Mackey
Business name: Golf Australia – Sport Medicine & Performance Manager
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: golf.org.au
Socials: @lukeamackey (Twitter)
Favourite tool in the gym: Trap bar.
Queensland
Name: Ashley Nisbet
Business name: NIZFIT
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (07) 5596 0404
Website: nizfit.com
Socials: Nizfit (instagram)
Evaluation: $170 Hourly rate: $85
Favourite tool in the gym: 3D strap from “Whatsthatstrap” has helped establish quality body awareness for my clients regarding loading and sequencing patterns.
Name: Nick Randall
Business name: Golf Fit Pro
E-mail: [email protected]
Mobile: 0466 501 779
Website: golffitpro.net
Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickrandallgolffitpro/ (LinkedIn)
Evaluation: $150 / Hourly rate: $120
Favourite tool in the gym: Landmine – versatile tool for training strength and stability in all planes of motion.
Name: Ryan Gambin
Business name: Ryan Gambin Strength
E-mail: [email protected]
Mobile: 0418 885 430
Website: RGStrength.com
Socials: @ryan.gambin (Instagram), @RG_Strength (Twitter)
Hourly rate: $85
Favourite tool in the gym: Sandbags and kettlebells.
New South Wales
Name: Nils Hestermann
Business name: Precision Athletica
Contact: Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre, Edwin Flack Ave, Olympic Park NSW 2127
E-mail: [email protected]
Mobile: 0420 257 533
Website: precisionathletica.com.au
Socials: nils_hestermann (Instagram), @HestermannNils (Twitter)
Evaluation: $180 Hourly rate: $95
Favourite tool in the gym: Barbell and dumbbell.
Western Australia
Name: Jordan Stares
Business name: Athlete Performance Academy
E-mail: [email protected]
Mobile: 0430 569 077
Evaluation: $100 Hourly rate: $70
Socials: @athleteperformanceacademywa (Instagram), facebook.com/athleteperformanceacademy (Facebook)
Favourite tool: Barbell.
South Australia
Name: Tony Checker
Business name: Checkers Strength & Conditioning
Mobile: 0420 257 533
E-mail: [email protected]
Socials: checker.strength.conditioning (Instagram).
