Simple, Straight Up Information
You Should Know So You Can

Challenge Par

Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live. Get as Healthy as you can!

Playing golf with chronic pain and reduced range of motion anywhere in your body like shoulders, ribs, hips, back, neck, elbows, knees, ankles is going to have an effect on your performance. If western medicine doesn't work, seek alternative therapies.

Align your spine. Some of the greatest athletes in the world see chiropractors and other alternative therapies and is something you may want to consider.

Relax your mind and body. Tension destroys your ability to allow your body to swing freely and easily. Take out the stress in life. Get some foot reflexology or Thai reflexology massage, Reiki, physical therapy and do it regularly. It's an investment in yourself and your golf game.

Foot Reflexology and your golf game

I was very fascinated to learn that some very prominent PGA Tour Pros use the ancient eastern healing therapy of Reflexology. The list is extensive with such names as Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, John Daly, Fred Funk, David Duval, Fred Couples and more. Fred Funk stated in a testimonial that Reflexology has helped him deal with 'over use injuries' he has from playing golf.

Foot Reflexology has been practiced around the world for centuries, tracing back to ancient eastern medicine. It has been found to not only relieve pain but also promote healing by relaxing all your body's systems from the inside out so your body can be more effective at healing itself.

Every organ, gland and body part can be traced to over 14,000 nerve endings on your feet. Stimulating these nerve endings helps to rebalance areas of the body where there is stress or illness.

How does this help you?

A study out of Exeter University shows that Reflexology has a beneficial effect on a golfer's performance. Six amateur golfers were monitored over a three month period where they were given weekly reflexology treatments for six weeks followed by a six week non-treatment period. Their scores were recorded and were given a self evaluation questionaire prior to each game to assess their mental, physical and self confidence states.

The results showed improved concentration, focus of attention and positive thinking. All of them reported a feeling of physical and mental well being with increased mobility in their back, neck, shoulders and hips. Any improvement in these areas can really help any golfer.

For me Foot Reflexology is relaxing, soothing, up-lifting and energy producing. Stop and think about this. We walk on our feet everyday and knowing that all our body parts and organs can be traced to your feet it's no wonder we have aches and pains and not only in our feet. It is a modality that has helped me not only in golf but in my every day health and well being. I highly recommend it for everyone.

Flexibility and Relaxation

I've researched the benefits of physical fitness in golf and the results all point to JUST DO IT. With the proper program designed specifically for golf you can actually increase your distance and at the same time reduce the chances of injury.

Golf certainly is a game that most anyone can play but our physical limitations can prevent us from getting the most fun out of it. Flexibility is one of the most important physical attributes for playing golf. Muscles have a way of getting small and weak when we don't use them, especially after a long layoff from physical activity. The term is atrophy. Muscles used for golf are not in our everyday activities especially in winter when we take 6 months off. Therefore stretching is important during the winter to keep atrophy away. Stretching has so many benefits to your overall health that it should not be overlooked.

Some benefits are:

• Relaxes your mind and readies your muscles for use.
• Reduces muscle tension and makes your body feel good.
• Promotes better circulation.
• You get to know yourself by developing an awareness of each part of your body you stretch.
• Helps prevent injuries.
• Increases your range of motion which is so beneficial to golf.
• Loosens your mind's control of the body so it can move freely on its own.
• Increases your overall physical strength.

We need to relax to play golf!

Relaxing to play golf can be tough but when you do your game will improve and you'll have more fun. Here are a few things you can try to help relax before you tee it up:

• Arrive at the course at least 30 minutes before your tee time.
• Hit some balls, putt and chip.
• Stretch some muscles to get the tension of the day out.
• Take deep breathes and focus on what you want to do with your game today.
• Stop worrying about things.
• Slow down.
• Laugh
• Eat healthy.

The goal here is to take the tension out of your system so your mind will allow your body to move freely. Tension and the golf swing are like oil and water, you can put the 2 together but they don't mix.