7 Health Tips to Help Improve Your Game
Female Speaker: Want to shave strokes off your goal game? Let the PGA Tour Doctor guide you with the tips he gives to the pros.
Dr. Vijay Vad: While golf doesn't put the same level of cardiovascular strain on your body as some other sports, it does require significant mental and physical stamina. Here are seven simple tips to keep you energetic, alert and playing your best.
A typical round lasts about four hours and keeping your strength up is crucial. Get the energy you will need with a 500-700 calorie breakfast, that includes whole grains, proteins and fruits. Another often overlooked par killer is dehydration, which can reduce your focus over the course of a round. Remember; don't just drink when you feel thirsty. Make sure to consume six ounces of water or sports drink every 15 minutes.
Nothing cause a great round faster than an injury. It's imperative to warm up to reduce your chances of getting hurt. One move to consider adding to your warm up routine is the Paraspinal stretch, which targets the muscles to help control your swing. To execute a Paraspinal stretch, begin as though you are preparing to address the ball, with a slight forward bend in your stance and your feet shoulder-width apart. Using your elbows, hold the golf club tightly against your back. Rotate your hips and shoulders to the right until your right arm is directly behind you. Hold for five seconds, then repeat on the left.
The occasional miss pud can cause you to tense up during a round. To keep this from affecting your swing, try up backstretch. Hold your driver behind your back and grip it at both ends. Bend slightly forward from the hips. While keeping both arms straight, bring the club up toward your neck. Hold for five seconds. Whether you are a scratch golfer or novice, a loss of focus can undermine your game. Here is a breathing exercise to restore your concentration. Take slow deep breaths in through your nose for three seconds and out through your mouth for another three. Repeat until you can approach your next shot with replenished poise. Expecting success is often the best way to achieve it.
Many of the pro golfers I work with, use this visualization technique. Before every swing, take a deep breath. Eliminate self-doubt and focus on the shot, visualizing the desired outcome. Cool down stretching won't affect your score, but it will help stop back pain from keeping you off the course.
One stretch you try is a cross-legged hip stretch. Sit on the floor with both legs crossed. Bend forward and place both palms on the floor. Keeping your elbows and back straight. Lean into the floor, feeling the stretch in your hips and lower back. Hold for five counts. A good golf game takes more than a great swing. It takes a right approach to the whole game. For more tips like these, check out my book, 'Golf Rx: A 15-Minute-a-Day Core Program for More Yards and Less Pain.'
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