Tiger's Secret to Success

By J. Componovo, Certified Pilates Instructor and Golf Enthusiast

His swing is text-book. What makes his posture, torque, and execution so consistent, so powerful, and so smooth? It’s Pilates. Never heard of it? It’s a fitness technique developed by Joseph Pilates over a century ago, originally used to rehabilitate and prepare WWI soldiers for battle.

And, he’s not the only golfer who has turned to Pilates for the flexibility, core strength, and injury prevention benefits it provides. Among others, Annika Sorenstam, Rocco Mediate and Rich Beem are golfers devoted to Pilates. But why, you may ask, do the world’s #1 ranked male golfer and #1 ranked female golfer choose Pilates as part of their golf conditioning routine?

Aside from the benefits noted above, Pilates does more than just prepare you for one great round, its muscle lengthening approach leads to:

• Proper posture & spine alignment

• Strength; better muscle performance

• Greater endurance

• Increased flexibility

• Improved body awareness

• Ability to stabilize the torso

• Connection between breath and mind, connection between breath and power

What does this mean for your game?

• Greater swing range of motion

• More swing power without adding back, neck, hip or shoulder pain

• Better posture

• A more consistent swing

• A better score

In fact, as if improving your score isn’t enough, Pilates can also prevent injuries. Curious? Listen to the experts and decide for yourself if you and your golf game can benefit from this technique.

"Since I've done Pilates, I'm much better looking and four feet taller," jokes Rich
Beem, winner of the 2002 PGA Championship. "Seriously, though, I'm now so stretched out and have such great
posture that I look and  feel like a different person."

In How I Play Golf, Tiger Wood states “I believe great physical conditioning gives me an advantage, an extra gear. Just as form is an important element of the golf swing, it is also an important factor in training, ‘Sam Sneed is living proof that you can minimize the effects of time by remaining flexible…”

How does it work; what’s the connection between Pilates and golf?

Golf requires repeated actions
that work one side of the body – often resulting in simultaneously lengthening and strengthening one side of the body while shortening the other. This muscular asymmetry leads to poor body alignment, inability to maximize performance and an inconsistent swing.

Ever wonder why you sometimes have a bad slice and Tiger doesn’t? As we know, a slice is often caused by an overpowering of the right side. Pilates promotes balance between both sides of the body, enabling Tiger to use core abdominal strength and flexibility for power and control that lasts for 18 holes and beyond.

Without practicing exercises, such as Pilates routines, that strengthen and lengthen your muscles in equal proportions, the repetitive movements of golf will continue to work your muscles unequally, further contributing to an inconsistent swing, worse score, and unfortunately, pain.

So, how do you incorporate Pilates into your own conditioning program?

• Seek a certified instructor. Not all Pilates practice is equal and when beginning a conditioning program, you’ll want the benefit of working with an experienced trainer who has thousands of hours of certified teaching experience, understands golf, has proven results, and can customize a program for you.

•  Visit with a physician before beginning any exercise program to ensure that you are ready for the stretching and strength training associated with golf conditioning.

• Speak with your golf pro to see if he would be willing to work with you and your Pilates conditioning coach. While not a prerequisite for effective golf training, the combined efforts of your golf pro and Pilates conditioning coach can be ten-fold.

About the Author

Jenna Componovo has embraced Pilates since 1992. Her research and practice focus on Pilates as athletic-enhancement conditioning and a rehabilitative method. Co-founder of the Pilates of Charleston wellness studio, Jenna is a certified, local Golf Pilates expert whose articles have been published throughout SC. She currently trains amateurs. To schedule an appointment, call (843) 849-6506.