GOLFING FRENZY?
Cornel Collins, National Coach

WHY TAKE GOLF LESSONS? The answer is simple but not a solitary one. Golf unlike any other sport teaches more than, just physical skills. In fact, it teaches us more than we realize, some gain insight about themselves, others gain knowledge, and then there are others than never realize there is a lesson being taught. Golf unlike any other sport makes us think outside the box, if one chooses to be narrow in their thinking, golf will wait with it's jaws wide open to swallow you whole. Golf is a humbling game, and players with egos never win in this game. Then, there is the answer off, - want to improve. In fact, there is more to the answer, and the answer is a much bigger picture. But in essence, the large piece of this picture, is enjoyment, socialize, feel like you belong, fun, a sport and many other reasons.

In this high tech, often pressure-filled world, I am often amazed at how so few people truly seem to know how to "enjoy themselves". When you think about it, from Kindergarten through high school, then through University, there are certain expectations, thrown upon you, mainly and mostly of success, placed upon us through the beginning, every generation goes through the same, a cyclic process. We are taught, math, physics, geography, etc. But looking back, very little, if any, emphasis was ever placed on the simple act of having fun. Perhaps, society feels that fun is just too elementary or not important enough to teach. At the same time, some societies don't even know or can't even relate to the word.

To quote Tiger Woods, "golf has to be fun and at times serious", just as Tiger has grown to prioritize the paradigms of his success, he has managed to have fun along the journey. My Dad, once told me, "Life is a journey, enjoy the trip, son." It is the enjoyment of the trip, regardless of our chosen field of endeavour, that we must not compromise. Golf teaches thus the same lesson, and that's one of the reasons athletes from many other sports during their off season, play the game mainly for the fun of it.

So what about the value of the clinic, or a round of golf? Recreation is aptly named because it "recreates" or refreshes our energy and motivation. Absent from the seriousness & pressures of work and accomplishment. Play is what we do so we can work and achieve without burning out. For the most part, when we play golf we are focused on enjoying ourselves and other people, and not focused on problems and obligations. You cannot take your problems to the golf course, Golf won't let you do that, if you want to have fun. As a Teaching Professional I understand this and therefore have the ability to create or "set a mood" of the lesson is usually very successful. Having fun during the golf lessons, creates good feelings that later become good memories.

Some one may ask, we can have fun at an amusement park, so why Golf? True, but people also aspire to become proficient at the game of Golf for all it has to offer. This includes the social connection; more specifically, the camaraderie, friendship, acceptance, support and the opportunity to meet new people, get to know them. And with each encounter with the game, we continue to learn not only about ourselves, but other people and even life itself.

Furthermore, for the businessperson, playing golf with a business associate is seldom a waste of time. That's because, golf, as you know, is a game that quickly reveals a lot about the person's character and priorities.

More reasons for taking lessons and getting better at the game include positive re-enforcement, acceptance of our mistakes, maintaining good health, enhance one's self esteem, avoiding embarrassment, and yes, even loneliness. For some people

In summary, however, on the search engines of "why people take golf lessons," I personally believe that the main reason is to learn the game and have some fun. This is the theme, that we try to adhere to at our clinics at Radisson Cable Beach Golf Course, every Saturday morning. With the results of the past Ladies Clinics, and the demand for more clinics to be run, along with other programs, the Ladies Division of the Golf Federation, we are confident that all learning and attending the clinics are finding new friends, new contacts, new social gathering and having fun on and off the golf course. Keeping swinging and see you on the Golf Course.

THE TRUTH ABOUT GOLF FITNESS - Part 1 of 4
by: Cornel "Coach" Collins

Remember the days and some even believe it today, the old adage, "Golf is for old people". Golf was also not considered to be a fitness sport. Non-players including professionals in the Health and Fitness industry claimed Golf was not a fitness sport. The answer I have is nobody can truly know what turns and paradigms we face of the future in any sport or industry. Remember, Bill Gates, once said, "Personal computers will never require more than 640k memory." We are over one gigabyte, and still growing.

If you could count on everything you hear about the future, to be 100% true, wouldn't that be an ideal world? It sure would. But that's not reality, and it never is. Through the years, I've discovered two type of golfers, the ones that believe that fitness does improve their golf swing, and the other group, who looks at a very few overweight professional golfers, and say look, "their weight does not impact their performance". The latter, take the path of least resistance. However, the ones that try to follow the path of the Tiger Woods, David Duval, Vijay Singh and many others are extremely confused, frustrated, and downright misinformed when it comes to losing fat and shaping up for better golf.

It's no wonder a majority of people who try to play better golf and get in shape end up failing. The fact is, in many cases--they didn't fail; they just worked on mis-information provided to them! No one can succeed on bad advice. I am one of the lucky ones, whose wife is a certified Fitness Counselor, and Trainer. So I always get good advice, and have good results.

So I say to you, as it is said on any tour, "do not have rabbit's ears." Meaning do not listen to every Tom, Dick and Harry, it just leads to data overload, most of it is unqualified bad advice, and fosters mere confusion in one's mind. Get a qualified fitness trainer, who is familiar with the golf swing, and knows exactly what exercises are specific to the golf swing muscles. If not there are numerous videos and information on the Internet giving you good advice. Take the time to follow these programs, and you will improve not only your golf swing, and hit the ball a long way, but you will also be fit and healthy.

Let's begin by clearing your minds of all of the misinformation and misconceptions that have been fed to you over the past few years about golf and fitness. Let's reinstate it with meaningful information that will empower you to reach your shape up goals. Here is a the first of a few myths:
False: Weight lifting makes golfers bulky, tight and it shortens their swings.
True: Weight lifting helps golfers increase power, stamina, health and flexibility.

THE TRUTH ABOUT GOLF FITNESS - Part 2 of 4

Golf fitness has taken quantum leaps in just the past ten years. The kind of golf-specific weight training done by pro golfers today translates into better feel, enhanced distance, improved coordination and lower scores. One of the first golfers to realize that you had to be fit to play good golf was South African Gary Player, and everyone on tour laughed at him and thought he was crazy. Today, Mr. Player is having the last laugh.

The awesome display of golf and the lean, muscular bodies of Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, David Duval and many others are perfect examples of the results a quality golf fitness program can produce. The key is the type of program and exercises you follow. The point is, proper weight training and diet equals better golf. As Tiger says in his book, "The Way I Play Golf", "gone are the days, when I had a burger, fries and coke, after nine holes." Now his intake after nine holes, is fruit, energy bar, water, juice, or even a grilled chicken sandwich. The food we eat determines who we are, and how fit we are.
False: Lots of aerobic exercise is the best way to shape up.
True: Intense bouts of weight training is the ultimate.

Unlike aerobic exercise (running, biking, etc.), weight lifting increases muscle size and heart rate, taking a 30 seconds rest between sets. This actually increases your metabolism not only during exercise, but twenty-four hours a day, everyday. Secondly, weight training increases power and endurance for more consistent torque, club head speed and distance with every stroke. It also improves balance and coordination. So if your time is limited-hit the weights. But aerobics have their place too. As always, consistency and power is the key.

THE TRUTH ABOUT GOLF FITNESS - Part 3 of 4

Everyone knows how hard it is to resist a delicious desert, or that favorite ice cream. I never follow a nutrition plan that doesn't incorporate great tasting meals that I truly enjoy. Why? Because I have set myself up for failure before and have learned from my past experience, hence I know now, what will prevent me from failing, again? In today's assortment of food it is very difficult, to expect people to spend the rest of their lives chewing away on food that tastes like a bark of a coconut tree. No one will adhere to this nutrition plan, may be for a week, a month, then what.

I found a better alternative, to incorporate your favorite foods into your eating plan one day a week-foods like pizza, macaroni & cheese, ice cream, even red meat or fried chicken. This will keep your cravings satisfied; prevent you from failing in your fitness goals. On your "strict diet days" as my wife does, she refers to a cookbook that contains quality low-fat recipes. If you eat out a lot, stick with grilled chicken or fish, a salad with low-fat dressing and a vegetable. Maintain a five day, strict diet plan, during this period, dump the super sized fries, fried fish, fried chicken and sugar-filled soft drinks, and the thousand calorie deserts. Here is myth: False: You must eat less; means skip meals to lose body fat. True: Eat more frequently and healthy in small portions, is best.

THE TRUTH ABOUT GOLF FITNESS - Part 4 of 4

This is the last part of this series in golf nutrition and fitness. Pursuant to the myth printed in last week's series, so they say, "eat less frequently to loose fat". This seems like a logical shape up plan, right? WRONG! This does not work for long. Here's why: When you starve your body, it begins to fight back by conserving energy. It slows down your metabolic rate so it becomes more difficult to lose fat. Your body will cannibalize muscle for energy. Furthermore, after a few holes, may even be after twelve holes, but you will become irritable, lose mental focus (Gingko Bilboa, you say, no not really) and grow tired and weak on the course. On the other hand, frequent meals speed up your metabolism, increase energy reduce hunger and fat storage. The healthy program is to eat three healthy adequate meals a day with two to three small, balanced snacks is the fastest and most painless way to lose fat and gain muscle.

Counting calories is a royal pain in the rear, not too mention that's where it is parked. However, I do count calories. Some say you shouldn't count calories, instead count portions. I like to know how many calories I am consuming. They say that a portion of carbohydrate is an amount equal to the size of your clenched fist. A portion of protein is an inch or so thick and will fit in the palm of your hand. A portion of fat is the size of a teaspoon. Now instead of all this, I find it easier to keep track of calories, I guess my mathematics and physics mind finds this method much easier. One nutritionist said to me, "you can think about it this way:" Imagine a standard sized dinner plate is divided into three sections. One section (or portion) would contain a low-fat protein source like chicken, fish, or lean beef. The second section would contain a complex carbohydrate source like rice or a baked potato. And the last third would contain a fibrous vegetable like green beans, broccoli, or a salad with light dressing. Have three portions each of protein, complex carbs, and fruits/vegetables a day, plus two to three healthy snacks, and your well on your way to a balanced golf-specific nutrition plan.

On the day I am playing golf, I take my vitamins before a round of golf, along with a nutritious meal. I always, have plenty of water during a round. Drinking plenty of water during a round of golf does not hydrate you. In fact, it takes 48 hours of water consumption to keep you hydrated before a round of golf. So, start drinking water 48 hours before play.

So there you have it, a few candid facts about the fastest way to get and stay in shape for better round of enjoyable golf. See you on the course.