Physical Agility. Mental Toughness

Filed in archive Golf Fitness on November 11, 2007

Courtesy: Frank Thomas

The golf guru, Frank Thomas, provides another of his famous "doses of reality" in his latest Q and A with readers in Frankly Golf.

A guy writes in to complain that he's losing distance with his Ping G5. He's 60 and he has a swing speed of just over 90 miles an hour. This golfer is generating very good club head speed.

But he asks Frank to explain why he's been losing distance and whether or not he should dump the Ping and go to something more cutting edge.

It's a familiar refrain from golfers who are looking for distance everywhere but within.

And Thomas wisely points this out when he suggests that the reader engage in stretching exercises to lengthen his backswing.

I just don't understand why the vast majority of golfers who are otherwise healthy don't do this. For one thing, it's free. For another, it flat out works, plain and simple.

But "plain and simple" lacks glamour, I guess.

There are no two ways about it: spending a little time and a little effort on the muscles and ligaments that we use in the golf swing will yield tremendous dividends. There's no need for a money-back guarantee, no 30 day trial. Stretching works. Just think about swing fundamentals.

And with the inevitable approach of another winter, those of us in northern climes will have plenty of time and no excuses!

From the physical to the mental and Phil Mickelson's first victory outside the United States in 14 years nearly didn't happen.
Lefty cruised into the final round of the HSBC Champions Trophy tournament in Shanghai with a two shot lead on England's Ross Fisher and three on Lee Westwood.

Between the 12th hole and the 15th, Mickelson began to unravel, dropping four shots in four holes.

Long story short, Phil managed to force a playoff and took the championship on the second extra hole.

"I had to fight it out because I had a big lead but then hit some horrible shots. It's a funny game, golf, because I thought I was out of it at the last when I hit the water", he said.

Yes, golf is a funny game. And when I hear it from a world ranked pro who played like a weekend duffer, I don't know about you but I feel a whole lot better about myself.