YOUR GOLF | YOUR GOLF GOSSIP
GOLF
ISNíT A
SPORT.
I HEAR THIS A LOT.
How wrong can you be?
Golf is one of the hardest sports in the world to be consistently
good at. Golf uses more mental attributes than any other
sport and has become one of the most researched sports
scientifically. In this day and age 60 percent of a golfers
preparation and training is done OFF a golf course. Whether
this is in a gym or working with someone on the mental side
of this ever so frustrating sport.
When we look at the greats of the game we can definitely
see a pattern occurring. South African golfer Gary Player
earned the nickname Mr. Fitness in the 1950s because of
his impressive dedication to exercise. Today, at age 75, the
nickname still fits. Most golfers are lucky that every hotel
they stay in these days has a fully equipped gym. Most of the
guys work on core stability, strength & conditioning.
More and more players are also working on strong lower
body for balance and stability. If you activate your Glutes
you activate power. So when we look at the inspirations of
the game today like Rory, Justin Rose & Jordan Speith- its
not surprising to know that wherever they are there will
be a gym or fitness coach nearby. The gym is also a place
to release pressure and reflect prior to a round or after a
tough day on the course. It allows you to channel your focus
into something. The game has improved so much with its
technology and innovation that players are starting to utilise
this by linking power and strength with the distance and
control of a golf ball.
‘ You hit the golf ball with your core, that’s where the power
comes from’ -Martin Kaymer
18 months ago I weighed 69kg. I am only 5ft 2 and I was
classed as overweight. I ate rubbish most days and living out
of a travel lodge, playing amateur golf around the service
58 | YOURCADDY MAG - ISSUE 05
stations and McDonalds became a very good
friend of mine. Long days on the golf course saw
me stuffing my face whenever I could. I piled on the
pounds and started to notice myself getting out of
breath after a 36-hole tournament.
When my relationship with my then boyfriend broke
down I needed a focus. I had been struggling with
an injury and so the gym became my newfound
love. I got a personal trainer and we devised a plan.
Matt o’regan changed the way I viewed my sport.
I am not going to say the past 10 months have
been easy but I have lost 3 stone in weight and I
hit the ball 30 yards further of the tee. My body is
strong not skinny and I lift heavy weights but do low
repetitions. I never ever thought I would swap my
milkshake for a protein shake by choice but once
you start seeing changes it really does make you
want to keep going. I push myself more in the gym
than I ever thought possible and its Matts rugby
background that has shown me that golf is more a
sport than anything else I know.