It’s Time to Change the Mindset of Aussie Golf Clubs and What Health Benefits They Offer Their Members.
COULD you be getting more out of your golf? That’s a question we routinely ask our clients at Fit Golf.
For years, physical fitness and nutrition have been largely neglected. Even on the US PGA Tour, it’s only in recent times we’ve seen the majority of players adhering to strict exercise and nutrition regimes. However, it’s not just about elite players. The time has arrived for golf clubs to consider how they can do more for the health and wellbeing of their members – for optimum performance both on and off the course.
With facilities that are often vacant or under-utilised, as well as vast amounts of land, clubs have an opportunity to be creative about the services they can offer members, particularly at a time when some clubs are struggling to make ends meet.
Is it possible that healthier and happier members could actually have a positive impact on a golf club’s bottom line? That’s certainly our view at Fit Golf.
The golfing population is ageing. This means two things – we need to take responsibility for the wellbeing of our older members, as well as attract younger people to the game through a diverse range of offerings.
In Australia, many of us lead lifestyles that are sedentary. We compromise the integrity of our muscular skeletal system by sitting for extended periods using our phones and laptops. Then, at the end of a long week we get out of the car, walk onto the first tee and expect to be physically able to swing the club like Adam Scott or Rory McIlroy.
Unfortunately, that’s how most of us incur injuries. Those guys are highly trained athletes, they are conditioned to move their body the way they do. The good news is, with the right sort of exercise and nutrition, you too can have the physical capability to swing the club like the best in the world.
Imagine if your golf club’s general manager said to you, “Hey, did you know we have some fitness classes you can attend that have been specially designed to help your golf?” or, “If you’re looking for something to eat during your round, the pro shop now has some really healthy options for you.”
I don’t know about you, but to me, that’s a club I’d be proud to belong to. That’s a club I would tell my friends about, because it’s a club that takes care of its members.
EXERCISE TIP:
How to fire up your glutes for more power off the tee and reduce lower back pain.
Glute Bridge
1. Lie on your back, feet flat on the ground spread the width of your chest and heels pulled towards your your buttocks.
2. Lift your hips off the ground and tighten your glutes as much as possible – try not to let your hamstrings take over
3. Hold for 15 seconds, rest for 30 seconds and repeat five times.
For best results, perform this exercise daily. Glute bridges are a great pre-round muscle activation exercise. Try them in the locker room before your next round.
Oliver Yourn is the Director & Head Fitness Professional at Fit Golf, Level 1 & 2 Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) and is a Fitness Australia Accredited
Exercise Professional (Dip. Sport Australian College of Elite Golf – Athlete Development)
For more information about the services Fit Golf offers, contact [email protected] or visit fitgolf.com.au.
