Steps to getting started:

  1. Get a TPI Assessment
  2. Recruit a workout buddy or two or three or more!  (It’s so easy to skip a workout with other priorities [or excuses], but not so easy when you have a buddy counting on you to show up – especially with someone as dedicated as Peggy:) 
  3. Do it!
               Starting with the sunrise!

 

                           
                          Bird Dogs

 There are endless resources online for fitness and specifically, golf fitness.  How do you know which is the right one for you?  Along the lines of the popular disclaimer “check with your doctor before starting this …..”,  I started with a TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) Assessment conducted by Dr. Debra Pentz.   

 If you haven’t heard of TPI, I encourage you to check out their website.   If you live near Mesa, AZ, contact Dr. Debra Pentz or Peggy Briggs to schedule your personalized assessment.   If you're reading this far away from Arizona, you can find a certified TPI expert near you from the TPI website.  

  The purpose of the TPI assessment was to evaluate my stability, mobility and flexibility in relation to movements required for a balanced, powerful and efficient golf swing.    As you can imagine, 50+ years of gravity pulling on one’s body can alter these capabilities in numerous ways.

 

My assessment resulted in an initial training program consisting of 12 different TPI exercises (3 sets of 10 reps each) to be done three times a week.  That doesn’t sound like much, but it takes an hour to execute them with proper form!   The good news - after just 2 weeks of training with Peggy Briggs, I’m hitting my irons 10 yards farther, finishing more swings in balance and just simply feeling stronger.  Now who wouldn’t enjoy that!!!!!  

Added bonus - my scores are already lowering.  In weeks 1 and 2 of (18 hole) league play, I shot 11 over par.  In week three, I was 3 over par.

                   
                   Horizontal Chops

     
       Training essentials

 

Some more good news - the cost of equipment for my exercise program was under $30.  It includes an exercise ball, yoga mat, 3-4 foot stick and exercise bands. 

If you get inspired to start training, I would love to hear about YOUR experience with golf fitness.

 

 

                                                       Up next is Club Fitting!