It's a "Process"

It's hard to believe that it has been 2 years since Tiger Woods changed his swing coach from Hank Haney to Sean Foley. When he started back doing interviews about his swing and his personal issues, he was often heard to say, "I am working on things and...It's a Process".

For a very long time many of his fans thought..."Man, this process doesn't seem to be working very well. Heck he can't even make a cut...etc".

Then he played well at the Australian Open and on the Presidents Cup Team. The Chevron World Challenge comes along, and albeit there were a select number of players, he still went on the win the tournament.

In his own words from his website, "The great thing about the Australian Open and The Presidents Cup was that's basically how I've been hitting the ball at home. It was nice to be able to take what I had been doing into a tournament situation and play well. Although I didn't win the Australian Open, I finished third and hit a lot of quality golf shots".

My point? His "Process" seems to be working for him. Are you working on a process in your golf game? You can call it a goal or set of goals or a process, but playing golf in itself is a process with a very basic goal...Play Better Than You Did Your Last Round.

We at GolfGym focus on the process of getting your Golf Body prepared for the rigors of the game of golf and how you can improve your performance by improving your golf fitness.

Karen Palacios-Jansen (You've seen her on Golf Channel) just posted a blog with her ideas on setting goals. The following is from her blog:

Attached is a portion of my outline to set goals for your game…to see the entire document, email me at KPJ@swingbladegolf.com.

Cardiogolf Goal Setting for 2012

Define Your Values

Powerful goals are built upon core values.

What is important to you in your golf game and do these goals contribute positively to your life? The following are areas that I would like to improve. What areas of your game or life would you like to improve?

• Golf Fitness (Improving how my body moves and my endurance)
• Golf Swing (Improving and perfecting swing technique and shot-making)
• Golf Scores (Learning to manage my game and to score to the best of my ability)

Say Hello to Your Future Self

Create who you are going to be. Exercise for the body you would like to have. Practice as is you were a low handicap golfer. Act like you already have attained your goals. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What does my ideal body or swing look and feel like?
• What is the quality of my relationships with the team of people who are going to help me with my goals? Are you surrounding yourself with people that will help you reach your goals?
• What am I doing to challenge myself athletically and mentally?

Thank you Karen. Set some goals for your golf game in 2012 and you will start your own "Process".

All of us at GolfGym wish all of you a Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

LPGA Player Natalie Gulbis & "The Plank"

I just found this short video featuring Natalie Gulbis and some of the exercises she does to stay in great golf shape shape.

Natalie has a always been a model of a very thin person, but I don't think she ever positioned herself as very strong or fit. Her exercises on the Balance Ball show that she has great core strength.

She also emphasizes the importance of the plank as a great exercise to strengthen her core and her golf fitness.

To expand on the Plank exercise, here is Tim Beattie with some variations that will definitely make your core work, work, work.

If you find some other variations on "The Plank", email them to info@golfgym.com.

The GolfGym Guy