Pilates for Golf
Article 1.3
August 2008 Maui Hawaii
Golfers Pilates
Golfers are finally catching on to the diverse benefits of the best exercise program for both athletes and the recreational sports enthusiasts. Tiger Woods, probably the greatest golfer of all time; David Duvall (a Major winner on the PGA Tour); Rich Beam (winner of the PGA Championship 2002); are doing Pilates. Our Olympic athletics’ are doing Pilates. How and why does this anatomical and biomechanical based exercise, Pilates, improve sports performance? Research has found Pilates exercises train the best known physical performance factors: Posture, Balance, Mobility/Flexibility, Stability, Coordination, Functional Strength and Endurance. These skills are essential for golfers and correct daily function.
STOTT PILATES ™ is based on research conducted by orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists world wide. This medically researched anatomical and biomechanical based Pilates curriculum is designed perfectly to enhance athletic performance. The basis of this program is to retrain correct body alignment with correct muscle recruitment using breath control. If all these factors are in place movement becomes stronger, more effective with greater speed, endurance and accuracy.
Research indicates that one of the major sources of back pain is inefficient muscle recruitment. The deep core muscles close to the joint that should fire first to protect and stabilize the joint fire too late. This incorrect firing pattern leads to the superficial muscles firing first moving an unstable joint. Superficial muscles aren’t supposed to fire first. They are not designed to protect the joint position. Superficial muscles are to be used to move the joint once it is stable. Moving joints with the wrong firing patterns of muscles can lead to injury, lack of performance, obscures accuracy, loses speed and weakens endurance. Pilates exercises done correctly can help the golfer re-program the timing of muscular firing patterns and enhance motor control.
Therefore, when training a golfer the STOTT PILATES ™ approach begins with 5 basic alignment principles and applies this to all the exercises thus, making correct movement patterns. It is then the job of the golf pro to teach the golfer the correct and precise movement for the perfect golf swing and score. Pilates movement exercises do not replace the practice and professional teaching of any specific sport especially the complex game of golf.
Our Golf program starts with the Footwork on the Reformer. Strong foot alignment leads to correct foot placement and is critical for the golf swing. Footwork is also done on unstable surfaces to face the challenges of sloping contours on golf courses. We teach correct spinal rotation using the essential core muscles between vertebrae. Strengthening exercises for correct spinal extension and flexion are a very important part to golf movements and a big part of our exercise program. We have a major focus on strengthening knee joints for golfers. Proper shoulder muscle recruitment is carefully taught at our STOTT PILATES ™ studio.
Teaming up with a professionally trained Pilates Instructor and your favorite Golf Pro is a winning combination. Let us make your golf game the best it can be.
