Golf: For the Health of It

By Shaun Bezilla
PGA Golf Professional

Fact:  Today’s professional athlete’s are in better shape than their predecessors and golf is no exception.  Tiger Woods, Camillo Villegas, Adam Scott, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson and many, many others are exercising regularly and eating healthier -maximizing their body’s ability to achieve peak performance levels. 
   

I challenge you to do the same by eating healthier and exercising regularly.  If you are serious about improving your golf game, start by seeking out the assistance of a personal trainer or certified physical therapist (PT).  They not only have the tools (workout equipment), they can customize a plan to address your physical weaknesses and help you on your way to better golf. 
   

Many of the local PT’s and fitness trainers in town offer golf-specific programs, especially this time of the year.  This past winter I worked with Damon Whitfield & Ben Werner from Tim Bondy’s Physical Therapy on a golf-specific program.  We used everything from a ‘True Stretch Cage’ to a swimming pool in developing golfers’ core strength.  Obtaining greater strength and flexibility is the start to a better swing, not to mention a healthier happy you.
   

That extra strength and flexibility will make achieving a more balanced and powerful golf swing possible.  Working with a knowledgeable PGA Professional who can assist you in maximizing your abilities is the next step in the process.  I recommend instructors that offer video analysis as they are able to provide increased feedback and chart your success. 
   

Make 2008 great!  Commit to a better you, a better game and begin lower your scores today. Good Luck! 

Shaun Bezilla is the head PGA golf professional at Harbor Point Golf Club. Contact him at sbezilla@yahoo.com or at the Harbor Point Golf Shop (231) 526-2951 or www.haborpointgolfclub.com
 

This is part of the online edition of Northern Michigan Life.

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