The Pain of Golf - The he golf swing requires a very particular movement. It is a very long range of motion around the axis of your body, that happens at a very fast pace, about 80-90 miles per hour. And you do this around a hundred times or so during a round! You can see, it's a disaster waiting to happen. Pain is almost guaranteed. Why is that so bad for golf? The Importance of Posture - The body is the original piece of golf equipment. If your body is not working well, you cannot play well. Good posture is just as important as flexibility. Imagine a tower. It needs a strong foundation, beams and supports properly aligned just to be stable and standing. In fact, your feet, ankles, legs, pelvis, trunk, neck, head and arms are the building blocks of your body. They must all sit on top of each other in a stable system just to stand up!! The Difficulty of Learning Golf The solution to golfing woes lies in creating a more structured approach to the learning of golf. Typically Golf has been taught with 3 cornerstones in mind: the mental game, the equipment and the swing philosophy. The new model of golf-instruction also takes the golfers body into consideration. ". . . our swing mechanics are often faulty, placing more strain on our (out of shape) bodies than professionals, with their more efficient "grooved" swing and experience. Now, throw in the fact that amateurs tend to neglect the importance of a proper warm-up routine, and you have Dr. Divot's Recipe for Injury."

All Hot Golfers Get "Warm" First! While few of us will ever play like the pros, paying attention to proper stretching and warm-up techniques, just like the pros do, will prepare our bodies for the rigors of the game, improve our performance, and help prevent nagging injuries. It only takes a few minutes and will be time well spent, Dr. Divot promises!

Don't be a Winter Bear (Stay awake for Spring) It's so-o-o-o cold outside and so-o-o-o warm and cozy on the couch. Terry Foody, RN, MSN, says "don't go into hibernation". There is hope without too-o-o much strain.

Feeling Up To Par: How to Stay Healthy in Winter Terry Foody, RN, MSN, shares some tips with us for avoiding the dreaded winter cold (and what to do if one catches you!)

Whether you play for competition, camaraderie or just fun, think like an athlete: What do I need to do to be in shape for this game? Read Fit for the Tees.

Question: I've put on some "winter weight" and would like to be in better shape for my golf game. I've tried some of the popular diets but can't stick with them. I've heard the Food Guide Pyramid has changed, too. With all theses conflicting ideas, what's the healthy way for me to lose a few pounds?
Answer: Food(y) for Golf

Golf Fitness Training Equals Better Golf
It’s no secret that 95 percent of professional golfers are doing some form of golf fitness training. Golf fitness expert Mike Pedersen shows us how we can get our bodies in shape for golf without it costing us an arm and a leg.

As the nation’s 25 million golfers start hitting the links again this spring, they need to take the time to work at their game and their conditioning if they want to excel on the course. Posture, fitness and flexibility are key to a better game and to avoiding injuries. Keith Kleven, physical therapist to the pros, offers tips for golfers getting back on the green.

We've all been told that swimming is the perfect exercise, but can it take strokes off your golf game? "Yes," says Michael Collins, member of the United States Masters Swimming (USMS) coaches' committee and head Masters swim coach for the Novaquatics team in Orange County, Calif.

You spend a lot of time and money at the driving range and taking lessons to improve your game. Ever considered strength training as a way to improve your score? Since Annika Sorenstam began a strength training program, she has added 22 yards to her drive and increased her stamina noticeably over her competitors. The goal is not to be muscular, but "fit".

Injury prevention techniques do more than keep you on the course. Proper preparation for the game may reduce your scores as well as make the game (and possibly your life) much more enjoyable. Debra Turner, Physical Therapist, points out some things we can do to improve our preparation for golf as well as extend our enjoyment of the game.

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