The Golden
Bear Tour is attracting aspiring professional golfers
from across the globe. One of this year's crop of foreigners
is a 25-year-old player from Brussels, Belgium - Geoffroy de
Dieudonne, who has been playing golf professionally for the
past six years. His ultimate dream...to play on the PGA or
European PGA tour.
Two years ago, Geoffroy came to South Florida to work
as an International golf instructor for the Academy of Golf
at PGA National Resort. Coincidentally, it was about the
same time that the inaugural Golden Bear Tour was starting
out. He decided to give it a try, and the result was a
tremendous learning experience for the lad from Belgium.
One of the biggest lessons was in the area of physical
fitness. Two factors can be attributed to his focus on
conditioning. First, the European climate is much different
than the South Florida summer heat. Becoming better
conditioned was important for finishing strong. Second,
playing on wet fairways puts a premium on driving distance.
Geoffroy had to gain some muscle to hit the ball farther.
The following leg exercises, demonstrated by Geoffroy,
are part of his 3-day per week fitness routine. He uses them
to improve weight transfer and balance in the full swing.
Golfers are notorious for poor upper body posture.
Spending hours putting and chipping allow gravity to pull
the shoulders forward. This is called "flexion." Flexion
alters your ability to create maximum arc and extension in
the golf swing. Geoffroy demonstrates the following shoulder
stretches that he uses to counter flexion's negative side
effect. They are both easy and beneficial.
The American fitness craze is just starting to catch
on in Europe, and golfers like Geoffroy are helping to pave
the way. Although he is only in his second golf season on
Yankee sod, the long-term benefits of his solid exercise
routine will be felt for years to come.
Until next month, keep pumpin'.
Squats
build power in the large lower body
muscles. Add hand weights to intensify the
exercise. 4 sets are his minimum.
Walking
lunges are an awesome
balance activity. Take note of his excellent
posture. 4 sets make your legs shake.
Single leg
wall sits are much harder
than they appear. Place all of the pressure on one
side at a time if you can. Hold for 30 seconds per
side; repeat 3 times per leg.
Vertical
elbow stretches can be done
with a towel, a rope or the "Flexi-grip" ball.
Point one elbow skyward and pull down with the
opposite hand. 5 times per arm every day is
sufficient.
Horizontal arm
pulls allow the shoulders
maximum extension in the backswing and
follow-through. Pull slowly at first because this
one will really loosen you up. Complete 5 reps with
each arm, especially before teeing off.
Single arm traction
stretches will have you
feeling two inches taller in an instant. Using a
door jam, separate your feet driver width apart and
lean forward. Two arms at once is also beneficial.
Hold this stretch for 30 seconds per arm; do 3
repetitions.
