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Keep
Your Golf Game in Olympic Shape This
Winter
By GolfTEC
Staff
MTT Contributing Writer
Winter is
upon us and here in the North golf can be a
seasonal sport for those who are not golf addicts.
What can you do over the winter months to keep your
game from going into hibernation? All professional
athletes prepare year round for their chance to be
the best in their respective sports. The year 2000
is an Olympic year, and make no mistake that all
the Olympic athletes have been training far in
advance.
Make sure you
keep in shape in the off season. Have you seen the
new look of David Duval? He has dramatically
improved his fitness level in an effort to win his
first major championship this year. You too can
follow his lead and take the time to stretch those
golf muscles. Follow a simple fitness program three
days a week. Keep it simple. Toe touches stretch
the hamstrings and the lower back. Try sitting in a
chair and turn your shoulders 90 degrees to the
right and hold. Then to the left and hold. This
will help the muscles in your sides to maintain
their suppleness. Also, keep working on hand
strength, all of the tour pros that we have tested
at GolfTEC have incredibly strong
forearms.
While stuck
in the house, practice your short game. Prop a
laundry hamper against the wall, then chip and
pitch balls into it from varying distances. Use a 7
or 8 iron and work on the chipping stroke.
Concentrate on form and technique. Take a short
game lesson so that you are practicing correctly.
Also, practice putting on different surfaces at
home, this will help your awareness of speed which
is by far (no pun intended) the most important
criteria in holing putts.
Practice does
not always mean hitting balls. Spend time in front
of a large mirror making practice swings in very
slow motion. Work various parts of the swing such
as the takeaway or starting the downswing with the
hips. Muscle memory comes from repetition and
discipline.
Take a couple
of golf lessons during your slow period. Now is a
great time to work on changes. All golfers tend to
hit the ball worse before they hit it better when
making changes. Use the down time to work out those
bad shots when it won't be so damaging to your
scorecard or wallet. Here at GolfTEC we are an
indoor teaching center. It is always 70 degrees and
sunny here. Take advantage of our Video Practice
Sessions. After an Initial Evaluation golfers can
call in to reserve a teaching stall and not only
hit balls but also use our video system to watch
their swings from different angles.
Ben Hogan was
noted for saying "each day that I don't practice,
it will take one more day to get better". Get the
edge on your playing partners by using the time
they are sitting on their duffs to work on your
game.
To get
information about indoor lessons and practice
sessions at GolfTEC, call (303) 770-5951, (303)
426-6600 or check us out on the web at
www.golftec.com. Stay warm and practice like you
are going for the gold medal.
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