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Today’s subject is posture.
I see hundreds of different postures, not only amongst amateurs but also among the pros. Not so much now, as the gyms and fitness coaches have put most PGA professionals in great shape. But not so many of the older amateur golfers who were businessmen and now have become golf enthusiasts and are looking for ideas (and miracles) to improve their golf game.
Because we all have different physiques, arm lengths, and leg lengths, there had to be a better way of always getting into the correct posture for each golfer – and there is!
Mike Adams:
Mike is one of the leading teachers in the US and is in the Teachers Hall of Fame because of his work with biomechanics. This is his way of getting the correct posture for each individual golfer.
Bend forward with slightly bent knees and place your palms flat on your thighs.
Put the index finger of each hand on the top of the kneecap.
Now, relax your arms (keeping the posture) and let them hang loosely. They should hang at 90 degrees to your shoulders.
Place your hands together without moving the arms forward or back. (no matter how weird it may feel in the beginning)
Place a club in your hands (again without moving the arms towards or away from your body)
This is the correct posture for you. Practice this at home until it starts feeling comfortable.
Another factor that can influence posture is Club length.
Make sure you go to a certified clubfitter and check that your club length and lie angles are correct for you in your new posture.
Does eating before and during your round affect your score?
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
How do you know which foods you should be eating before and during your round to help maintain energy and focus? Usually, trainers will recommend a combination of carbs, protein, and fats. However, everybody is different, so I recommend you try out different foods that fit into these three groups on a non-competitive day and see how you feel and how your body reacts. Once you’ve found what works for you, you can eat before the round, knowing you’ll have plenty of energy and enough concentration to finish all 18 holes at maximum performance!
Thanks to Coach Stephen of Renegade Golf Training for this informative and important information!
“For better or for worse, what you cram down your pie-hole will affect your golf game and your handicap.”
That’s a direct quote and the opening statement that I made to a group of golf instructors at a seminar last winter.
Some of the instructors were familiar with my work, and knew what to expect from me.
Others may have been taken aback by my bluntness, and vocabulary.
Still others laughed.
But this is no laughing matter. At least not if your goal is peak performance on the course.
So let’s jump right in…
What To Eat Before A Round Of Golf
The goal of the Pre Round meal is to provide a slow and sufficient energy release that lasts for the next couple of hours as well as to provide great mental concentration.
Eat lightly in the two hours leading up to tee time. Food in your digestive system diverts blood away from your brain and muscles, affecting concentration and physical performance. A meal approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours prior to play is ideal.
Eat high-quality complex carbohydrates, keep protein and fat intakes moderate since these slow down digestion.
Eat slowly and chew well.
Drink pure water to be adequately hydrated. Try one to two glasses prior to tee time.
Never drastically alter your normal eating patterns prior to competition. Favorite foods may often give you a psychological edge.
Can good nutrition improve your golf game – I think so.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
OK. This one is taking a risk. Many people don’t like to hear suggestions about eating healthier.
But I’m betting that a good number of you wish to do all you can to avoid life-threatening diseases like cancer, and to play golf, etc., for many years to come.
My epiphany came in January ’14 while watching a video about an Australian woman who not only beat stage 4 breast cancer but has gone on to run marathons and to live a joyous, healthy life.
As I’ve aged, I feel I’ve lost some energy and flexibility, plus I’m interested in being pro-active against cancer and other insidious diseases. After eating an 80% raw diet for over a year, I feel much healthier, I’ve had fun being creative in the kitchen, and I’ve lost weight, although that was just a side benefit.
Click on the image below to see Jeannette and Alan tell of their remarkable achievement.
Janette Murray-Wakelin’s doctors recommended heavy doses of chemotherapy and radiation, and she declined. Instead, Jeanette decided to research the foods she was eating, the preparation, and their cooking. She decided to change to a raw food diet, realizing that this is how early humans ate and that they had no experience with cancer and other ‘modern’ diseases.
In the 12 years since being diagnosed with breast cancer, Janette became cancer-free by eating only locally grown or organic foods. At 64 and 68 years, she and her husband Alan ran a marathon in their native Australia all 365 days of 2013. Incredible!
I’ll just give you the basics here, but there are volumes of creative and delicious ideas accessible at many websites, such as you see below.
A raw diet includes lots of fruits (including dried), nuts, avocados, vegetables, beans, soaked grains, and nut spreads. Try to eat 80% “raw” and alternate 20% by consuming fish (especially salmon), chicken, sauteed vegetables, and anything else you crave that has not been through a refining process or overheated in a microwave oven.
You never want to cook food on a raw diet over 118-degree heat. Tests prove that it destroys its nutrients and natural enzymes, which boost digestion and fight chronic disease.
Be creative. I’ve learned to make fabulous soups in a blender, bread and energy bars in my dehydrator, chocolates, ‘ice cream’ bars, and no-noodle ‘pastas,’ with the help of my online gurus.
Finally, if you choose not to eat raw, do yourself a favor and consume organic fruits, nuts, and vegetables as often as possible. ENJOY!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Frank Richard Stranahan was an American sportsman.
He had significant success in both amateur and professional golf. He was ranked number one in his weight class in powerlifting from 1945 to 1954, and he became known on the golf course and off as the “Toledo Strongman.” Long before the modern game combined golf and fitness. After he retired from tournament golf in the early 1960s, he became a prolific long-distance runner, competing in 102 marathons.
Frank won 10 Amateur Titles, including the British Amateur (twice) and Canadian Amateur.
Frank Stranahan was one of the first to emphasize the importance of strength and fitness to golf. He mentored many Tour Players on the benefits of exercise, including the great Gary Player. Who, to this day, works out diligently to keep in shape!
Frank Stranahan was a fitness fanatic and stayed in shape his whole life.
Stranahan’s most remarkable personal feat, a footnote in anglo history, is that he helped save a British tradition unequal in world sporting competition, The Open Championship.
After World War II, when most American golfers avoided competing “across the pond,” Stranahan played in eight consecutive Open Championships. And was runner-up in 1947 and 1953. His personal support, along with the 1961 and 1962 wins of Arnold Palmer, revived, sustained, and returned the Open Championship’s greatness. By encouraging other top Americans to compete, despite the low prize funds of that era.
Frank was the “All American Boy” with his good looks and amazing athleticism.
He won 5 PGA Tour events.
Stranahan suffered significant family misfortune. His wife Ann, whom he married in 1954, was herself a top-class amateur golfer. She finished runner-up in the 1960 Canadian Women’s Amateur. Ann died at age 45 from cancer. His eldest son Frank Jr. died from cancer at age 11. His second son Jimmy died of a drug overdose in Houston, Texas, at age 19. Stranahan’s father also died from cancer.
Frank Stranahan passed away on June 23, 2013, aged 90, at his home in Miami Beach, Florida. Where he had lived for many years.
Read more about this amazing man – click here, and to see more pictures of him, click here.
Jason Dufner Lean and Mean – You better believe it!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Even Duf’s hair is skinnier! Seriously though, I applaud Jason Dufner’s 20-pound weight loss and his new dietary changes.
A few years ago, a rather pudgy Dufner impressed everyone with his winning golf skills and very laid-back demeanor. But recently, his health suffered from inflammation in his body, partly caused by excess weight. His shoulder, arm, and neck pain led to a win-less season in 2013-14 and little play.
Duff now adheres to a gluten-free diet, avoids fast food, and mostly “eats clean.” Some players, like former PGA Star David Duvall, struggled in golf after their physiques changed. But Dufner’s golf is looking very good recently, and he says he feels better. Eat right and feel good, golfers!
Here is the ‘skinny’ on Jason’s newfound body brought to you by mygolfspy.com
Jason-Dufner-the new skinny version!
Jason Dufner has given up many of his favorite foods in an effort to improve his health, but he doesn’t view his new diet as a sacrifice.
“I didn’t really have a choice,” he said Wednesday. “If I didn’t do it, I wasn’t going to be able to play golf. So it was pretty simple for me.”
The Humana Challenge is Dufner’s first start in the United States since he withdrew from his title defense at the PGA Championship. It’s appropriate that Dufner is making his 2015 debut at an event that emphasizes health and wellness. He lost 20 pounds in the offseason thanks to drastic dietary changes.
Dufner is one of 14 top-50 players in the field, six of whom are in the world ranking’s top 25.
Patrick Reed won last year’s event after opening with three consecutive 63s to set the TOUR’s record for low 54-hole score with relation to par. The defending champ is coming off a victory two weeks ago at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
Dufner last played here in 2012, finishing 12th. He has started the past two seasons at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, though, after winning twice in 2012 and the 2013 PGA Championship. He was winless during an injury-marred 2013-14 season, though.
“I haven’t felt good for two or three years, to be honest with you,” Dufner said. “It kind of came to a head last year. I couldn’t play. I missed the Playoffs, missed the defense of my PGA Championship, more than likely missed playing in the Ryder Cup because of it.”
He withdrew after playing 10 holes of his PGA defense and vowed not to return to golf until he was healthy. He made his next start 11 weeks later in Australia.
A new, gluten-free diet has helped him feel better. He said his new diet is aimed at removing inflammation from his body, which was a reason for much of his excess weight. He’s not exactly sure what caused the pain he dealt with for much of last season, but he believes inflamed and tight muscles were compressing on nerves, causing pain in his left shoulder and a “dead arm.”
Dufner’s good friend, Keegan Bradley, said the weight loss will be good for Dufner’s game. He also used discussion about Dufner’s weight as an opportunity to rib his pal.
“In 2011 and 2012, … Jason was playing well. And was a lot skinnier,” Bradley said. “He needed to lose the weight.
After eating completely “clean” for 11 weeks – “That sucked,” he said – Dufner allows himself the occasional indulgence. He had an In-N-Out burger when he arrived in California. He said it will likely be the only one he eats this year.
Fast food has been the hardest thing for him to stay away from, especially with a TOUR pro’s itinerant lifestyle. “I also really like chocolate and peanut butter, for whatever reason,” he said. “I do not eat that very often anymore.”
He was in bed with headaches for the first five days of his diet as his body struggled to adjust. His golf game has felt great, though.
Some players have struggled after their physique has changed. Dufner said that’s not the case. The early returns have been promising. He did play in four overseas starts since the PGA. Finishing no worse than 26th.
He was 10th at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions.
Jason Dufner Lean and Mean – You better believe it!
The new physique means that the paunch made famous by “Dufnering” is slowly going away. He’s OK with that.
“I’m trying to stay away from that stuff,” he said. “I need to be more focused on what I’m doing on the course and what I need to do to be successful.”
Good on him I say – he looks much healthier, and if it helps him focus more and prevents even a little fatigue that’ll be a massive help.
5 Best Golf Snacks for Women – #5 Outranks all for Nutrition.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Women are often more interested than men in good nutrition to help them perform better on the course. Sorry guys but too many of you do the hot dog-and-coke thing.
Choose the foods recommended below, which are easy to pack and bring to the course. Some help the body absorb calcium (much needed by women). Some help keep you hydrated while being very low in calories, and the last one provides carbs, protein, fat, and micronutrients, which will energize you through the final holes.
Here come the five best golf snacks for women to order up during a round, from 19th Hole editor Cheryl Stotler. Unfortunately, at most golf courses you are going to have to pack your own or risk the temptation of the hot dog at the turn.
1. Nuts to you!
Remember that peanuts are not nuts but legumes; to maximize the varied benefits of varied nuts, grab a mix that’s strong on walnuts and almonds for keeping your focus, staving off inflammation and elevating your energy. About an ounce (a small handful) should do it – preferably the organic and raw nuts you find in the produce section, not the roasted and salted ones at the golf course.
Nuts are a good source of protein and give you sustained energy on the course.
2. Bananas are one of the earth’s most perfect foods.
They come in their own organic wrapper and offer not only immediate energy but prolonged energy, perfect to go the whole 18. Not only do bananas not upset the stomach, the fiber helps the digestive tract. Another plus for women: bananas help the body absorb calcium.
Bananas are a good source of potassium.
3. Good individually, celery and carrots perform even better in match play, so to speak.
The carrots will help you see your 200-yard approach shot all the way into the hole, and the sodium in the celery will help keep you hydrated and strengthen your bones. And, Weight Watchers, no points!
4. Cheese and yogurt (now more portable than ever with the squeeze tubes invented for kids but ideal for our game)
These make the top five for women because they are full of the calcium we need for bone strength and that also staves off migraines and PMS. Low-fat cheeses offer the benefits of full-fat cheeses but with virtually none of the flavor. Opt for an ounce of a hard cheese and munch on it with an apple or some grapes for a nice light meal.
5 Best Golf Snacks for Women – #5 Outranks all for Nutrition.
5. Hard-Boiled Egg!
Perhaps the other hole-in-one on the food card, a hard-boiled egg is sometimes to be found at the turn and outranks every other possibility at the counter. With carbs, protein, fat and micronutrients, this might be the snack to propel you through the finishing holes. And guess what – studies have shown that eggs actually promote weight loss. That would be, eggs in moderation of course. Too much of anything isn’t good for us.
Eggs are the most nutritious for a mid-round snack than any other food.
We also took a look at one healthy treat that has been appearing at halfway houses and turn shacks: the so-called energy bar. Our picks in that area: Clif Bar Mini, Luna, Powerbar’s Pria and the LaraBar. Luna and Pria contain soy protein, a healthy choice for women. The LaraBar is all fruit and nuts, a healthy combination, but with more calories and fat than the other bars. The Clif Bar Mini seems well suited to golf — easy to chew, no coating to melt on the hands, no crumbling, and only 100 calories.
And that’s enough of that health talk. Time to get to the tasting bar for the 19th Hole. Yippee!!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Many people think good nutrition is not important in playing golf.
They see golf as less of a sport, like football or basketball, because they don’t have to run or otherwise demonstrate good physical fitness to play.
Not True! Think about all the long hours required to play golf……..much more than other sports…… and think about the demands made on your muscles, bones, and heart. Do yourself and your game a favor by eating healthy before and, also, during play. And stay off the junk food…….or you’ll play like junk!
Organic carrots are a healthy nutritional snack on the course.
Golf is just like any other sport. To maximize your performance you must be in top condition, and a good diet is an important aspect of this.
Eating the right foods is important for golfers to provide the energy to fuel your body during training and games, and for recovery afterwards. This is particularly important for those training and playing long hours on most days.
Another major nutritional crisis for many golfers is extra body weight.
Despite the success of some overweight professional golfers, excess body fat is only a hindrance. Not only does the excess bodyweight add stress to the muscles and bones of the body as you play, the stress on your heart is potentially life threatening. Excess fat around the body can also hinder your golf technique, making it more difficult to produce correct technique, and the fatigue from carrying the extra weight can reduce your training time, affect concentration and add distractions to your game. As you can see, it is advantageous in many ways to lose weight.
A good golfer’s diet.
The best nutritional advice I can give is to eat a healthy, well balanced diet, low in fat. The food that is available back at the clubhouse is not always the most nutritious. Often you don’t have the most healthy choices, and subsequently many golfers are overweight. The answer is in the planning. Eat a good breakfast so that the body is prepared for activity. Also prepare nutritious food at home, and take it with you when you go to play. You should also stay away from are caffeine and alcohol before and during play, as both can adversely affect your game.
What a Tiger eats.
Some information provided on Tiger Woods official website gives us an insight into his typical daily routine and diet. After an hour of cardio followed by an hour of weight training, he has a high protein/low-fat breakfast at 8.30am. This meal typically includes an egg-white omelet with vegetables. The morning is filled with golf practice and a round of 9 holes. At 1.30pm he has a high protein/low-fat lunch, which typically includes grilled chicken or fish, salad and vegetables. Another three-to-four hours on the golf course and some upper body weight training, before dinner at 7pm.
There is no indication of what a typical evening meal may consist of, but judging by his other meals it is also probably high protein/low-fat. He also takes daily supplements for bone protection and nutritional support. As for hydration, he drinks Gatorade during competition and long workouts to supplement carbohydrates and keep his fluids up. (see also Hydration for Golf)
What can you do?
Organic Apples are another way of eating healthy and nutritionally on the course.
Stick to lean meats and seafood, lots of fruits and vegetables and no junk food. You will need some carbohydrates (low GI) because they help fuel your performance for long periods of time. Make sure you drink lots of water and maybe a sports drink, particularly if you are playing in warmer weather
