Healthy reads
Our expert picks the best golf fitness books
Golf Digest Professional Advisor Ralph Simpson, a certified physical therapist, spends most of his time training professional golfers. However, this month we asked him to read as many golf fitness books as possible and tell us which ones were worth buying.
“Surprisingly, there were several,” says Simpson, who worked in the PGA Tour fitness trailer for more than 360 tournaments before going into private practice in 2004. “I examined more than 30 books, taking into account how well they address strength, flexibility, power, nutrition, neuromuscular patterning, rotator-cuff strengthening, self-testing, balance, aerobic conditioning and pre-round warm-up. I also looked for bonuses such as injury care and prevention, supporting evidence for claims made, and technique instruction.”
Here are Simpson’s recommendations:
BEST ALL-AROUND
Complete Conditioning for Golf
(Pete Draovitch and Wayne Westcott, Human Kinetics Publishers, $18.95) is a complete guide that is easy to read. Written in part by Greg Norman’s physical therapist (Draovitch), the book presents traditional weightlifting routines and gives information on combined patterns of movement to instill a proper foundation, better balance and control. All major areas are addressed, and there is a section on testing to gauge your fitness level.
BEST LOWER-BACK ADVICE
Play Golf Forever
(Michael Jaffe, Literary Architects LLC, $18). If low-back pain is your biggest issue, this book can help. Just check with your doc first. The author, an avid golfer and osteopathic physician, focuses on the causes of back pain as well as programs to help sufferers.
BEST STRETCHING TIPS
The Missing Peace: Improve Your Golf With Yoga Techniques
(Ashok Wahi, Stefani Pappas, Megan O’Malley; Princeton Design Group, $14.95). This book recommends warming up with specific golf swing-like movements (called dynamic stretching). Recent research indicates dynamic stretching is better for warming up than static stretches.
BEST EXERCISES
Fit for Golf
(Fireside, $15) This older book by Gary Player contains one of the best calisthenics sections. It also offers swing mechanics from Player, one of the greatest golfers of all time and a noted health nut. It lacks a section on power development, but it’s still thorough.
BEST NUTRITION SECTION
Physical Golf
(Neil Wolkodoff, Kickpoint Press, $29.95). This book has an excellent background on exercise as well as information on how to fit a training program into your golf regimen. But its section on what to eat is unmatched. A warning: This book requires a fair amount of reading time before you can use effectively. It’s not for skimmers.
BEST POWER MOVES
Get Yourself in Golf Shape
(Cindy Reid, Rodale Press, $17.95) Reid, a golf instructor and fitness buff, focuses on specific exercises—especially ones designed to help you hit the ball farther. It’s one of only four books reviewed that includes anything about training the body to move with its newfound strength.
BEST FOR THOSE “MOST IN NEED”
Fitness for Golfers Handbook
(Safe Goods Publishing, $14.95) For the beginner or really out-of-shape golfer, Don Tinder has a very good sections on strength and flexibility, cardio training and injury. It even includes recipes in the nutrition section. You’ll want to pay particular attention to the solid information on strength and flexibility and the pre-round warm-up.
Source: Golf Digest, October 2006