Jason Dufner Finishes T3 at The JBWere Masters in Australia

GolfGym and Coach Joey D offer congratulations to Jason Dufner on his T3 finish at the 2009 JBWere Masters in Melbourne, Australia. Jason shot a 10-under 278 to secure his T3 position.

He is one of several Tour Players who have made a commitment to improving their games by working with Coach Joey D, an elite biomechanics, strength and conditioning coach on the PGA Tour and using GolfGym training products every day as part of their golf fitness programs.

“I couldn't be more proud of the run Jason has had this year,” said Coach Joey D. “He's a student of the game and his swing is so Sam Snead-esque right now, it's scary. The ability has always been there. He's now married that with a quiet confidence as well as a full on commitment to getting his body right through golf fitness. The fact that he's no longer chasing his Tour card, I believe we'll still see some amazing things out of him down the stretch this season.”

“Congratulations to Jason on an incredible week at the JBWere Masters,” said Ken Pierce, President of GolfGym. “He played consistently and finished only 4 shots back from the winner, Tiger Woods. He’s been playing great this whole year and I think we need to keep an eye out for him in the 2010 season.”

Easy To Do, Easy Not To Do

Almost every morning I go the local 24hour Fitness facility and walk about 3 miles on the treadmill, do a little weight training and some golf specific exercises with our PowerSwing Trainer. I know it’s better to walk outside in the fresh air watching the birds and embracing nature but, for me at 4am, it’s really dark and nature is still sleeping.

While I walk I utilize one of the greatest inventions of my lifetime…the IPOD. I used to lug around that old CD player or Walkman with audio tapes. Audio tapes…what’s that, some of the younger readers are asking. Anyway, I will sometimes listen to music, but mostly I listen to motivating or inspirational speakers to get myself pumped up for the day and more importantly to learn something new.

I just finished an audio book written by Jeff Olson called, The Slight Edge. Jeff Olson is a successful entrepreneur, expert in personal development and motivational speaker. His basic theory in the book is that the choices we make throughout the day, and we make thousands of them, are either working toward our goal or away from it.

He theorizes that the choices we make are Easy to Do and Easy Not to Do and that, over time, our actions accumulate either positively or negatively. An example is going to the gym every day, or at least 3 days a week. It is easy to do and it is also easy not to do. If you choose to go to the gym one day to start your workout program, will you walk out built like Tiger Woods that day? No. As a matter of fact, except for feeling pretty good, you probably won’t notice any difference at all that day. If you don’t go to the gym to begin your program will you turn into a couch potato that day? No. You probably won’t notice any difference on that day either. But, if you do go to the gym every other day and stick with your program for a month, the cumulative affect will be noticeable and you will definitely see results. If you never go back to the gym, you will see the opposite results. The same goes for healthy eating habits. You can choose to eat nutritious food on a regular basis or you can choose to have your own personal booth at Mickie D’s. You will either get healthier or start to put the stress test on the seams of your pants.

So, how does this relate to golf fitness? Well, let’s take warming up at the course before you play for an example. How many of you reading this actually warm up your body before swinging your clubs? Raise your hands. I don’t see very many hands. But seriously, this is a perfect example of Easy to Do and Easy Not to Do. Warming up before every round will have a cumulative affect on your body and your mind, and it is easy to do. Adding in some golf specific exercises every other day or so will have a beneficial affect as well. Start with some exercises that you can stick with and are easy to do. Make a decision to walk instead of ride a cart every other round. Swing a weighted club on a regular basis. Strengthen your core muscles on a balance/fitness ball. Walk 3 miles on a treadmill at 4am when it’s dark outside while listening to your IPOD. This magazine is full of easy exercises that will jump start your program and routine. Heck, you can buy a one of our PowerSwing Trainers and carry it with you everywhere you go (shameless plug).

If you are reading this post, which you are, and you love playing golf, which you do, then make a promise to yourself that you will make decisions that have a cumulative, compounding, positive affect on your game and your life. Easy to Do and Easy Not to Do….it’s your choice.

This has been a public service announcement from the GolfGym Guy. Hey, that was easy to do!!!!!

Building Lower Body Stability

Lower body stability is critical if you want to develop a balanced and consistent golf swing. The pictures below show some easy exercises using our PowerStance Loop. If you don't have a loop, you can use any type of bands that add resistance. (please excuse the messy hair...it's 4:30 am in the gym and the makeup artist didn't show up)

This workout is simple, but will really "stimulate" those muscles that we don't regularly "stimulate". I usually put on some music with a good beat in order to keep a good cadence until my muscles burn....and they will. The great part is that the "burn" tells you that the exercises are really working.

Start with the PowerStance Loop around each ankle and get in a good strong golf posture with your knees slightly bent. Place your hands on your hips and step out to the right slightly wider than shoulder width. Take 20 steps to the right (or as many as you can in the space you have). Continue the exercise in the opposite direction in order to work both legs equally. Be sure to stay in balance as you move across the floor. This is great for golf fitness and overall fitness as well.

With the PowerStance Loop still around each ankle, get in a good strong golf posture.Place your hands out front as if you are holding a golf club. (in the picture I am squeezing one of our Squeasy Balls between my palms). Step out to the right and perform a half squat (down then up). Continue moving to the right and performing half squats. After 15 - 20 steps and squats to the right, repeat the same exercise in the opposite direction to work both legs equally.

In this exercise, open your arms and hands as far out to the side as possible. Move across the floor as in the previous exercises with your knees slightly bent. Alternate opening and closing your hands and fingers on each step. Try to stretch out your fingers as far as you can.

In this exercise, open your arms and hands as far out to the side as possible as in the previous exercise. With your knees slightly bent, shift your weight to your RIGHT leg and hold for the count of five (5). Shift your weight to the LEFT and hold for the count of five (5). Be sure to stay in a good golf posture with a slight bend at the waist.

In this exercise, open your hands and cross your arms in front of your body. With your knees slightly bent, shift your weight to your RIGHT leg and turn your torso as far to the RIGHT as possible (back swing position for right handed players). Hold for the count of five (5). Shift your weight to your LEFT leg and turn your torso to the LEFT (finished position for right handed players) hold for the count of five (5). Repeat this exercise 6 to 8 times in each direction. Think about stretching as far as you can to both sides. Be sure to stay in a good golf posture with a slight bend at the waist and visualize a ball in the address position.

We neglect the lower body in most workouts related to golf. Lower body stability is critical to a consistent golf swing. This simple tool can be a perfect compliment to your overall golf fitness routine.

Good Luck with this one!
Ken Pierce