It's amazing how fit some of these golfers are. Who'd have thought Tiger could bench that much. I'll have to find the Tiger Woods workout among the hundreds of workout routines at http://www.fitclick.com/workout_routine.

The real take home lesson here is to stretch all the muscle groups listed. The "uberlesson" that you can surmise is that we should stretch and increase the flexibility of all our muscles and joints. While I think that most of us are convinced that we degrade with age more than is absolutely necessary, no one is getting younger. Actually that is not entirely true but that is a differnt field of thought.

I don't know if I can ask this correctly but here goes. I am left handed but I learned to play golf right handed. This seems to be a handicap because my left side is the strong side of my body rather than the right. I'm a 2 handicapper so I have a good game but would like to get to the next level. I find more strength when driving the swing (pulling) from the left side than pushing from the right, weaker, side. I know there is supposed to be a balance between the two. I am curious about Phil's swing in that does he push the power from the left side, or pull it from the right side? I heard Tiger mention in a TV interview during the US Open, that the wrist he (Phil) hurt was not his "hitting" hand. I am pondering what he meant by this since that leaves his right has as the hitting hand. Help! I've really been in a quandary over this swing thought for quite a while.

Please elaborate and tell us what is the spider excercise, otherwise are of no value

Sean,

As a former professional athlete, I can tell you that your fears are unfounded. The muscle soreness of which you speak is a temporary symptom caused by lactic acid accumulation in the muscles. In fact, if you accompany weight training with stretching (which you should be doing anyway), you can increase both your strength and flexibility.

I'll also point out that it has been said that Woods can bench 300 pounds, and his hard work in the gym and extra muscle mass certainly haven't impacted negatively upon his game. I'll also mention that distance is mainly a function of three factors (insofar as the physical goes): size, strength and action specific flexibility. And strength is of the utmost importance; this is why the men hit the ball farther than the women.

I agree that the key to better golf is physical training. But on the mental side of the house you need to be very fit too. For example what do you work on at the range? Or should you spend more time on the putting green? I'm a nutt about analysing my statistics which I believe helps out my game as much or more so than the physical work that I do. So I use http://scorecaddy.com to track all of my golf statistics for me. I was surprised to find out that my driving accruacy was close to 46.95%, and my greens in regulation was 42.59%, and my putting per GIR was 2.039. There is so much more on that site to help you out. Anyway, the mental part of this game as we all know is huge.

i agree great blog, they always post well on this site

sounds like some great advice thanks a bnch

I agree with Mike, body preparation is the best way to have success in golf!

Sean, you could not be more wrong. Weight training, done right, is a great boon for golfers. That is why more and more pro's use weights. This is just the start of what will soon be a much greater trend.

In simplicity, the body needs to move in a sequential order to return to impact in an optimal position for maximum power and distance. Physcial limitations in an of the "stabilizer" muscles can encourage swing faults and compensations. For every swing fault, there is an underlying physical limitation related to it.

It's a fact...your body dictates your golfing ability. Not hitting more balls. Not taking more lessons. And not spending anymore money on the latest, greatest 500cc titanium driver. Work on the body, and the swing will take care of itself. Regards, Mike Pedersn - http://www.performbettergolf.com

As a practicing physical therapist with 29 years experience I feel Mr. Cochran hit the nail on the head with his SAID article. More of this type of writing would aid the golfer in attending to his body better.

I agree but I must add something to the mix.

I found that during a round, I got tired so I had to put more effort so I got more tired so I had to put more effort so I go even more tired...

I realized that I wasn't strong enough for the effort I put out in the first place.

Solution is to become stronger, just enough so that the effort seems like I'm only putting out 50% instead of 150% for the same result. I hope it makes a difference this season, we'll see.

Thanks for the informative post. Keep em coming. I can't get enough golf news.

Great blog? Sure. But it was great when he wrote it as "Match Play, Lower Back Injuries, and Your Golf Swing" on FEB 23rd. Getting monotonous.

Great blog, well put.

please explain what the " spider" exercise is.

Thank you

Tiger Woods is sooooo good !

My hips are making creaking sounds as I do the exercises, but they are loosening. I can't wait to see this year's coil!

Feel free to body slam, Ron Mon, trainer man. Please. From a fellow blogger. There might even be a Nancy Kerrigan knee smacking payoff in it.

Love you Ron Mon.

Now, on to my point. I read somewhere (recently) that most humans associate feel with sound, since most are not deaf. Do you associate it with vision, too? Would the truest way to develop feel be in a sight-less, sound-less exercise? For pure feel, yes, but the feel we will experience on the course will ultimately combine vision and sound, so I guess I answered my own question and wasted digital ink. Your thoughts, Sean?

Jenn, you're asking him to give away trade secrets! Buy his book! Flex and unflex your abs throughout the day, no matter where you find yourself. That's a good way to start.

Sean, I have a specific question for you. With "core training" being all the rage these days, what do you think the best exercises are for developing the core muscles?

Golly Ron Mon, lighten up! ;) Then again, it looks like you have the unique distinction of being the first to comment on any of Mr. Cochran's blog entries!!!! Way to go!

I know that a new course hopes to be considered "venerable," but certainly not yet. "venerable to the wind" is unique concept, suggesting that the winde venerates the course and the valley. Perhaps vulnerable might fit the sentence better.

The condescending grammarian, RonMon

Yikes. I thought a portly beer belly was a prerequiste for a graceful and laguid swing. I am John Daly fan and I ain't releasing my hip. You are making golf sound like an athletic game.

Sean,

What are Spiders? From Phil Mickelson's main man, it means something. As a high school girls and guys golf coach, it will help our program a ton.

Sean
If you want people to contribute to your blogs you must mention Michelle Wie.
Try for example.
“If you want a perfect swing emulate Michelle Wie”
That might do the trick.
Alan M