What is Your Golf Fitness Handicap and Why Does it Matter?
Most golfers have a handicap, and their sole goal is to reduce it to the lowest possible number. A lot of golfers practice for hours a week in order to drop strokes off their handicap but very few do anything to improve on their physical capabilities. The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) has developed a ‘handicap’ system that summarizes your range of motion, neuromuscular control and strength into one familiar number, and this is termed your Golf Fitness Handicap – ranging from +7 (really good) to 36 (needs some improvement) -just like the golf handicap that you’re used to trying to improve on a weekly basis. Basically, your golf fitness handicap is a description of how well your body moves.
Who is TPI? TPI is the world's leading educational organization dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing. TPI believes golfers will benefit the most from a healthy and efficient body. The most efficient swing is not the same for every golfer, because efficiency is unique to their body. TPI's goal is to help clients enhance their overall health, wellness, and performance including their golf game. The TPI method of training helps people understand how their bodies work and how each part of the body functions as a part of an integrated system.
“TPI does not believe in one way to swing a club, rather in an infinite number of swing styles. But, we do believe there is one efficient way for every player to swing and it is based on what the player can physically do. “ -Dr. Greg Rose, TPI Founder
To achieve an efficient swing, a golfer must first be screened. This screen involves an assessment of swing mechanics and biomechanics, physical fitness, movement quality, current health and a client history. More specifically, the TPI body screening looks at your overall health and fitness level and gauges your flexibility, stability, and mobility. This 15-step assessment can identify any potential weaknesses, imbalances, or challenges with mobility that could be affecting your golf swing. You will be asked to do standing, sitting as well as floor-based exercises or tasks to measure for shoulder, hip, and ankle mobility. The session takes 45-60 minutes to complete.
Once this screen is finished, the results will be shared with you and used to create a plan unique to your findings. As your fitness coach, my role is to create a golf fitness training program that will provide specific exercises targeting the areas that you need to improve. Your golf training program will focus on three key components – Mobility, Stability and Strength – all of which must be present in order for a golf swing to be efficient and effective.
Are you ready to find out your golf fitness handicap? Level up your golf game! Contact me for cost and details.