Statistically, 75% of golfers lack the physical ability to make the proper body movement to make a mechanically correct golf swing according to golf fitness professional and former Golf Fitness Magazine  contributor Rob Mottram. In the late 1980’s, Mottram helped develop the Centinela Hospital Fitness Institute’s Golf Performance Evaluation, given to professional and amateur golfers, to assess their level of fitness and wellness as it relates to the game of golf that is still used today.  By identifying areas of weakness or lack of mobility, fitness professionals can then determine treatment or implement proper exercises to improve the golfer’s ability and reduce the risk of injury.

Are your physical limitations holding you back from playing your best golf?

Why are these evaluations so important? If it is determined that you have a physical limitation, a golf instructor could work with your swing indefinitely because your body may not be able to make the necessary movements to correct your swing fault. Until you make your body move into certain positions, you will never achieve the swing he or she is attempting to teach you.  Worse yet, with the forces generated during the golf swing, improper body movements can result in serious injury.  But there is good news. It’s not a matter of looking like Martin Kaymer or Michelle Wie  to achieve a proper body movement. It is a matter of simply understanding where you might need the flexibility or strength. Then it is a matter of putting in a little extra time working on the right things. Your chances of playing better, playing longer and avoiding injury have great improved.

Golf is a highly skilled activity that the body’s capabilities requiring high speed and high range of motion. Most golfers are not physically capable of performing the required movements involved in a mechanically correct golf swing. Often, these limitations lead to unnecessary stress to various joints and muscles, especially in the lower back, which can cause common golf related injuries.

Are your physical limitations holding you back from playing your best golf?  Take the Cardiogolf 30-Day Challenge to find the best exercises for you.

To find out more about golf fitness evaluations check out my Golf Fitness book available on Amazon.com