How's your golf fitness handicap? Evaluation at PGA National revealed I'm a total hack

Last week, I went through a golf physical assessment at the Titleist Performance Institute at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

They use a bunch of high-tech stuff and some not-so high tech tests to figure out if you can get your body parts in the right place to route the club efficiently, powerfully and consistently. Not surprisingly, I learned that I have several physical limitations that hamper my ability to make a good golf swing.

In fact, my golf fitness handicap was 18, more than twice as much as my golf handicap. No wonder I have such a hard time being consistent. Among my deficiencies were lack of shoulder rotation, limited upper body stabilization vs. my lower body and below average scores in other key areas that make it difficult to set the golf club on plane and hit the ball with the proper sequence. There are many days when I can’t get loose, can’t get the club where it needs to be and feel every one of my 49 years.

The idea, just like in your regular golf game, is to lower your golf fitness handicap. At the moment, it seems overwhelming ? too many late-night dinners and schmoozing on all these golf trips I take, not enough exercise and good nutrition. I see the same thing in many of my peers, and there’s no underestimating how much a good fitness program diet can mean to your game.

“Nutrition,” said Ken Macdonald, PGA National’s director of fitness,” is so important.”

I also received some top-notch instruction from Matt Denzer, who heads up the David Leadbetter Golf Academy at PGA National. Not surprisingly, Denzer’s evaluation of my swing conincided with my physical limitations. I need better balance and better stability.

It’s not that I can’t improve my golf swing without improving my golf fitness, but it would sure be a lot easier if I had the flexibility and strength in the key areas.

The bottom line is I’ve got work to do if I want to enjoy the game more. Macdonald gave me a series of exercises that should help with my physical limitations. Combined with the lesson, who knows?