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As golfers, we’re always trying to improve and find an edge; something that leads to shaving a stroke here or a stroke there. So we work on our various tools of the trade; our swing technique, our course management strategy, our flexibility, and of course, our golf equipment. But, how about nutrition? Since golf is not a running sport, it’s easy to underestimate the demands it places on your body.
Golf takes a lot longer to play than just about any other sport. Even marathon runners are on their third celebratory beer by the time we’re done with 18 holes.
Golf has not only the physical demands of walking and swinging, but also thinking. Even though the brain weighs roughly 2% of your body weight, it uses about 25% of the body’s glycogen supply. So without fuel, you are weaker, less coordinated, and you don’t think as well as the game requires.
Ever notice the frequency of late round blow-up holes? Now, to be fair, those could come from the notorious thought process of, “All I have to do is par the last three holes and I’ll have my lowest round ever!” But chances are your late round blow-up has a lot to do with your muscles and brain running on empty.
The goal is to keep your blood sugar level as steady as possible. You’ll want to eat quality food/fuel every 2 hours. So, you’ll want to eat at the beginning of each round; either on the way to the course or no later than the second or third hole. Make a commitment to eat something of substance every 4 to 5 holes after that.
What to eat? Think quality not quantity. What you need to do is power-snack. Heavy, fatty, or extremely sugary snacks are not good. Stick with fruit, nuts (almonds are my favorite), nutrition bars and lots of water; dehydration is also a very important concern, especially in warmer weather. Drink at least four 16 oz. bottles of water per round. More if you’re sweating.
Now you’re eating like golf is the physically demanding sport that it is.
Last word: Don’t forget that golf is a mental game to a very high degree. So keep your brain fueled with good nutrition and don’t ever, EVER think “All I have to do on these last three holes is…”
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
TaylorMade R9 SuperTri Driver Review
I’ve always loved TaylorMade’s performance, style, track-record, marketing, and yes, gimmicks. In a highly competitive and innovative market, they always seem a half step ahead of the rest. So, with those biased opinions intact, I decided to test the new TaylorMade R9 SuperTri Driver.
Knowing that an impartial review would be the best, I vowed to try to keep an open mind and forget about all my positive TaylorMade driving memories of the past. Tough, but someone’s got to do this dirty work!
The first thing I noticed, besides the beautiful look and finish, is the solid feel of the weight distribution; not super light like the TaylorMade Burner Superfast, but a little meatier at the head. I prefer this feel. I want to know where the mass of the head is.
Distance with the SuperTri was good, not great. I’ve hit longer drives, most recently with the Adams Speedline 9032LS Driver. I got about 10 to 15 more yards out of new Adams Driver, but not the consistency that I look for. The distances varied more on slightly off-center hits than with the SuperTri. Also, my fades were a little more pronounced with the Speedline 9032LS. And that’s without making any changes with the configuration of the Flight Control Technology (FCT) or the Movable Weight Technology (MWT) in the SuperTri. I vow to dabble with these cool technologies and report on their functionality later.
The characteristic I was most impressed with was the noticeable effect of the club’s attributes on miss-hit balls. I don’t know if it was from the weight distribution, face design, or Fujikura Motore Shaft, but I could actually feel the club fight my all too frequent heel and toe hits. Believe me, I know what the results usually are when I get the instant feedback of severe heel or toe contact; a wicked slice or a low hook are the typical results. Not so with the SuperTri. My miss-hits were universally playable! I can’t wait to get this baby out on the course and see if the performance translates to a real round. My hopes are high, and why not? TaylorMade has always come through for me in the past. With the R9 SuperTri Driver, I’m sure my opinion of TaylorMade will only be enhanced.
Knowing that an impartial review would be the best, I vowed to try to keep an open mind and forget about all my positive TaylorMade driving memories of the past. Tough, but someone’s got to do this dirty work!
The first thing I noticed, besides the beautiful look and finish, is the solid feel of the weight distribution; not super light like the TaylorMade Burner Superfast, but a little meatier at the head. I prefer this feel. I want to know where the mass of the head is.
Distance with the SuperTri was good, not great. I’ve hit longer drives, most recently with the Adams Speedline 9032LS Driver. I got about 10 to 15 more yards out of new Adams Driver, but not the consistency that I look for. The distances varied more on slightly off-center hits than with the SuperTri. Also, my fades were a little more pronounced with the Speedline 9032LS. And that’s without making any changes with the configuration of the Flight Control Technology (FCT) or the Movable Weight Technology (MWT) in the SuperTri. I vow to dabble with these cool technologies and report on their functionality later.
The characteristic I was most impressed with was the noticeable effect of the club’s attributes on miss-hit balls. I don’t know if it was from the weight distribution, face design, or Fujikura Motore Shaft, but I could actually feel the club fight my all too frequent heel and toe hits. Believe me, I know what the results usually are when I get the instant feedback of severe heel or toe contact; a wicked slice or a low hook are the typical results. Not so with the SuperTri. My miss-hits were universally playable! I can’t wait to get this baby out on the course and see if the performance translates to a real round. My hopes are high, and why not? TaylorMade has always come through for me in the past. With the R9 SuperTri Driver, I’m sure my opinion of TaylorMade will only be enhanced.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Guide to Buying Junior Golf Clubs
So your kid wants to start golfing. Great! You’re helping him or her begin a potential lifetime of fun, frustration, challenge, friendship, and possibly competitive sport. There are a few junior golf equipment factors you are going to need to consider.
Kids, of course, don’t have the arm or wrist strength that adults do. Even in proportion to their lighter clubs, juniors typically aren’t as strong. So it is especially important to buy junior clubs that are significantly lighter than cut-down adult clubs. Just to relate from an adult standpoint, imagine trying to learn to play with clubs that had weight-rings attached. You might use a weighted club for warming up, but imagine playing with one. Would your technique suffer? Would you tire quickly? The good news is manufacturers make their junior clubs lighter so that those smaller muscles can still develop good technique.
Make sure your child's clubs have junior grips. Using adult grips on a cut-down club will inhibit the proper wrist and hand manipulation required in a good stroke. The subtle manipulation of the hands through impact is made more difficult with grips relatively large for the golfer’s hands. Get grips with .500 inside diameter that will fit cut-down clubs (if you must you them). If you purchase junior clubs, make sure they have junior sized grips.
Speaking of cut-down clubs, there are disadvantages in their use. Cutting down a shaft changes the flex characteristics. Shafts are not designed to be cut down any more than an inch or so. If too much is cut off, the flex is drastically reduced. This creates a club with virtually no “kick” or forward flex at impact. Not good for achieving a high trajectory which is difficult for many beginners. Eliminate this disadvantage by sticking with junior clubs that include shafts specifically designed for junior’s swing speed.
Club length is another important factor. With the head of the driver on the ground just in front of the child's feet, the end of the grip should ideally reach halfway between the belly button and the lower edge of the rib cage. Now that's just a general guideline, and as fast as kids grow, it's also a moving target. But it gives you an idea of the range you try to stay within.
Beyond junior clubs there are also accessories you might consider. You'll want to get an ultra-light junior stand bag or junior carry bag for the early years. They are inexpensive and sufficient for the small amount of gear and accessories your child will need on the course or at the range. A few tees, junior balls, sun-block, water bottle, and snack are all he or she will need to carry.
Though not overly necessary, getting your child a junior glove or junior spikes can't hurt. Inexpensive junior golf shoes and one-size-fits-all junior gloves are a fun addition to your child's gear. Young kids feel like they're really playing the game when they suit up for action. As they develop power and higher swing speed they will already be comfortable with these accessories.
When it comes to junior clubs, bad fit can develop bad habits. We all know the game is hard enough without being saddled with self-defeating habits right out of the starting gate. Within your financial ability to periodically update your child's clubs, make all attempts to keep them fitted correctly. Remember, if they’re playing better and the game is easier, they're more likely to keep playing, and more importantly, truly enjoy the game!
Kids, of course, don’t have the arm or wrist strength that adults do. Even in proportion to their lighter clubs, juniors typically aren’t as strong. So it is especially important to buy junior clubs that are significantly lighter than cut-down adult clubs. Just to relate from an adult standpoint, imagine trying to learn to play with clubs that had weight-rings attached. You might use a weighted club for warming up, but imagine playing with one. Would your technique suffer? Would you tire quickly? The good news is manufacturers make their junior clubs lighter so that those smaller muscles can still develop good technique.
Make sure your child's clubs have junior grips. Using adult grips on a cut-down club will inhibit the proper wrist and hand manipulation required in a good stroke. The subtle manipulation of the hands through impact is made more difficult with grips relatively large for the golfer’s hands. Get grips with .500 inside diameter that will fit cut-down clubs (if you must you them). If you purchase junior clubs, make sure they have junior sized grips.
Speaking of cut-down clubs, there are disadvantages in their use. Cutting down a shaft changes the flex characteristics. Shafts are not designed to be cut down any more than an inch or so. If too much is cut off, the flex is drastically reduced. This creates a club with virtually no “kick” or forward flex at impact. Not good for achieving a high trajectory which is difficult for many beginners. Eliminate this disadvantage by sticking with junior clubs that include shafts specifically designed for junior’s swing speed.
Club length is another important factor. With the head of the driver on the ground just in front of the child's feet, the end of the grip should ideally reach halfway between the belly button and the lower edge of the rib cage. Now that's just a general guideline, and as fast as kids grow, it's also a moving target. But it gives you an idea of the range you try to stay within.
Beyond junior clubs there are also accessories you might consider. You'll want to get an ultra-light junior stand bag or junior carry bag for the early years. They are inexpensive and sufficient for the small amount of gear and accessories your child will need on the course or at the range. A few tees, junior balls, sun-block, water bottle, and snack are all he or she will need to carry.
Though not overly necessary, getting your child a junior glove or junior spikes can't hurt. Inexpensive junior golf shoes and one-size-fits-all junior gloves are a fun addition to your child's gear. Young kids feel like they're really playing the game when they suit up for action. As they develop power and higher swing speed they will already be comfortable with these accessories.
When it comes to junior clubs, bad fit can develop bad habits. We all know the game is hard enough without being saddled with self-defeating habits right out of the starting gate. Within your financial ability to periodically update your child's clubs, make all attempts to keep them fitted correctly. Remember, if they’re playing better and the game is easier, they're more likely to keep playing, and more importantly, truly enjoy the game!
Spring Golf Fitness Tune-Up
It’s time to start getting in shape for a new year of golf. Unless you are fortunate enough to live in a region where you can continue to play through the winter, you’ve probably lost some of the golf-specific conditioning you had at the end of last season. Flexibility, core strength, wrist and forearm strength all suffer from lack of use.
One thing to avoid is getting excited on one of the first days of warm weather, going to your local range and cranking out dozens of full-swing drives. Tempting I know, but not great for the back, shoulders, or arms.
Instead, try working some key golf-specific areas back into shape first. Make a commitment to two weeks of work in these areas before you hit the range or course. If you have a spring vacation planned, work this routine in two or three weeks before you travel. You’ll enjoy your early spring rounds instead of nursing a sore back or worse.
This simple routine consists of only three exercises; wrist curls, core bridge, and towel-swing. Finish off your spring program by utilizing short-game training aids to regain your touch.
Wrist Curls (Perform this exercise 2-3 times per week):
With your arm at your side, grip your pitching wedge. Your arm and club should be in a straight line to the floor. Without moving your arm, raise the clubhead up as high as you comfortably can. Slowly lower it back to the starting position and repeat. Start with two sets of 10 reps for each wrist. Increase reps and/or sets as your muscles adapt. But do not overdo it. These are small muscles that adapt quickly. Strengthen them. Don’t strain them.
Core Bridge (Perform this exercise 3 times per week):
Start in a position with your body raised off the floor while clenching your stomach muscles. Only your toes and forearms should be touching the floor. Now hold this position still for 30 seconds. Repeat 4 times at first. Add repetitions as you feel stronger.
Towel-Swing (Perform this exercise 3 times per week):
Take a medium sized hand towel and tie it in a knot just above the head of your driver (or other club). Start slowly with 10 very easy golf swings. As you warm up you can increase the speed until you are taking full swings. This is a safe way to add little weight and a lot of wind resistance. Your golf muscles will overcompensate for the resistance and strengthen quickly. Work up to three or four sets of 10 reps. Stop if you feel your technique suffering or you feel any pain.
On the days you are not exercising, work in some chipping to a practice net, indoor putting, or full-swings into a practice net. Limited flight foam practice balls let you safely hit in your own yard. Use an automatic putting cup or an economical plastic putting cup to develop touch before the scores count.
Combine fit muscles with soft touch and you will start spring golf in mid-season form.
One thing to avoid is getting excited on one of the first days of warm weather, going to your local range and cranking out dozens of full-swing drives. Tempting I know, but not great for the back, shoulders, or arms.
Instead, try working some key golf-specific areas back into shape first. Make a commitment to two weeks of work in these areas before you hit the range or course. If you have a spring vacation planned, work this routine in two or three weeks before you travel. You’ll enjoy your early spring rounds instead of nursing a sore back or worse.
This simple routine consists of only three exercises; wrist curls, core bridge, and towel-swing. Finish off your spring program by utilizing short-game training aids to regain your touch.
Wrist Curls (Perform this exercise 2-3 times per week):
With your arm at your side, grip your pitching wedge. Your arm and club should be in a straight line to the floor. Without moving your arm, raise the clubhead up as high as you comfortably can. Slowly lower it back to the starting position and repeat. Start with two sets of 10 reps for each wrist. Increase reps and/or sets as your muscles adapt. But do not overdo it. These are small muscles that adapt quickly. Strengthen them. Don’t strain them.
Core Bridge (Perform this exercise 3 times per week):
Start in a position with your body raised off the floor while clenching your stomach muscles. Only your toes and forearms should be touching the floor. Now hold this position still for 30 seconds. Repeat 4 times at first. Add repetitions as you feel stronger.
Towel-Swing (Perform this exercise 3 times per week):
Take a medium sized hand towel and tie it in a knot just above the head of your driver (or other club). Start slowly with 10 very easy golf swings. As you warm up you can increase the speed until you are taking full swings. This is a safe way to add little weight and a lot of wind resistance. Your golf muscles will overcompensate for the resistance and strengthen quickly. Work up to three or four sets of 10 reps. Stop if you feel your technique suffering or you feel any pain.
On the days you are not exercising, work in some chipping to a practice net, indoor putting, or full-swings into a practice net. Limited flight foam practice balls let you safely hit in your own yard. Use an automatic putting cup or an economical plastic putting cup to develop touch before the scores count.
Combine fit muscles with soft touch and you will start spring golf in mid-season form.
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