In the past couple of weeks, I read in the paper about an electronic caddy... it is a golf cart that tells you what is wrong with your swing while you're playing a game. Wow, it cost a lot of money though. In my opinion it is not your best tool for good golf. How about titanium clubs, professional balls, or better footwear? Although those items do augment your game, they aren't your best tools. Clubs, balls, gloves, putters can only be as effective as the person who is holding or wearing them. So for my money.... YOU are the best tool for the perfect game.
William Daly, PT went over stretching before and after your game in his article "Golf-It's Tough But It Shouldn't Hurt." He's right, the pros warm up, workout and prepare for the game because they know they are the most important part of the game. Without a good performance, there will be no good endorsements.
God gave us each unique shapes, sizes, strengths and weaknesses. Before you play golf or buy equipment to augment your game, find out what your strengths are, build on those and try to improve your physical condition as a whole.

Lets look at some important aspects to good
golf conditioning:
1. Posture: An erect posture allows your thorax to rotate and derotate in the back swing and follow through. Much of the power in a swing comes from this motion. Tight joints, tight muscles, poor conditioning, aging and medical and orthopedic problems in the spine can change your posture. Those stretching exercises in last months article can help to start improving your posture.
2. Flexibility: Muscles, tendons and ligaments that have the proper length allow muscles to work optimally. Muscles that are too tight, too elongated and in spasm can't work properly. The result is decreased strength, predisposition for injury and pain after and while playing. Again stretching properly will help flexibility and the health of your muscles.
3. Strength: We all know strong muscles work best. Which ones are best for golf? Some muscles work harder during a round of golf than others. Getting them strong will help your game. The other side of strength is having good muscle balance. Just like a coin has two sides; your joints have muscles on both sides. One side moves you one way, the opposite muscle moves you the other way. When muscles get out of balance from a strength standpoint, joints cannot work correctly. Eventually this imbalance can lead to pain and less than optimal performance.
POSTURE, FLEXIBILITY, STRENGTH are components of a perfect game. They are more important than any other tool you'll use in your golf bag. Ask your pro, they can often help you get started and they are the source for using what you have for the best swing and technique.
Physical therapists with golf sports medicine knowledge can help you perfect your best posture, strength and flexibility. The result may be the best way to improve your game....... and your health. There are several physical therapists on the Grand Strand who specialize in golf issues. Feel free to contact us today!

Martha Lewis is a physical therapist with Atlantic Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation in Conway, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. For more information contact her at
(843) 293-7713.