Page 63 - The Golf Guide, Winter 2017

Pro’s Corner

Golf Shape Year Round

Scott A. Peterson, PGA Apprentice
General Manager/Head Golf Professional
Clustered Spires Golf Club, Frederick, Maryland

The golf season in our area takes a hiatus as we go through the winter months.
Hopefully, we will have some mild temperatures to sneak out every so often to
satisfy our cravings, keep us a little in swing shape, and get us out of the house to
enjoy our great game.
We can look back with reflection on a wonderful year of playing golf and enjoying
the season. We had a good weather to facilitate a decent year for the golf industry
as a whole and a lot of quality golf to watch on TV as well. All four of the majors
caused excitement, and the FedEx Cup came down to the last few holes of the final
tournament of the season. The Ryder Cup was the most riveting and entertaining
golf that we’ve seen for years. I am very excited for this year on the PGA Tour with
Tiger now healthy and ready to compete again. No matter what he does, most of us
will be tuning in to see the results.
For all golfers, this time of year can drive us crazy being inside all day. Due to
lack of activity, some of us also start to lose shape, flexibility, and of course our
overall golf skills. We can all do some things to prevent or lessen the impact of the
inability to get out and play golf. I suggest a simple plan to keep yourself in a little
bit of shape, maintain some elasticity, and come out of the winter months with
a better head start on a decent score. The first thing you can do is implement a
short workout program that involves a few easy exercises. You want to do things to
strengthen your core and your lower back if you can. You also should incorporate
some flexibility exercises for your core, lower back, and arm and shoulder
areas. Make sure that you are able to perform these exercises without injury.
Strengthening these areas for just a few minutes a day for a few days a week will
help with a better restart in the spring.
Fred Couples used to live in Seattle and
Steve Stricker still lives in Wisconsin.
For years they both have recommended
one simple thing they do during the off
season to stay in a bit of shape. When
the weather doesn’t allow them to be
outside for on range/course practice
time, they both simply take practice
swings in their house to keep limber
and loose and help maintain tempo to
their golf swing. So if exercise won’t
work for you, you can simply swing for a
few minutes every day. Of course, if you can also hit balls at a driving range, that
would be the best exercise.
If you need more specific ideas on off season exercise and practice, please do not
hesitate to contact your local PGA Professional. I hope everyone has a good winter,
and this season brings us all good golfing weather. P.S. Good Luck Tiger!

WINTER 2017 61