LPGA Tour

About the Author:

Nick is a strength and conditioning coach contracted by PGA Tour Players and national teams to deliver his unique brand of golf fitness services. Nick offers the opportunity to access his knowledge and service offering to the rest of the golfing world through the following avenues:

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Cam Smith has made a lot of progress from when we first started working together. Not only is he now top 30 in the world, he has progressed from a scrawny teen into a well rounded golf athlete. At age 16 he was weak, tight, had some alarming postural adaptations from golf and was in pain and discomfort in a number of areas.

I would like to share with you what I consider to be the 5 areas that the competitive club golfer can learn from Cam’s approach to physical preparation. If implemented properly these will not only help your golf but benefit your long-term musculo-skeletal health too.

Cam’s approach is particularly relatable and applicable to the club golfer because he isn’t the biggest guy, or the most gifted athlete, or the hardest worker. Cam likes to keep things simple and use practice and training approaches that can be completed in a short amount of time with the minimum of fuss (leaving more time for messing around on the range apparently!)

 

 

A selection from Cam’s large repertoire of comedy golf swings


1) STICK TO THE PLAN

Cam doesn’t wander from the prescribed plan; this is for three main reasons. Firstly he wants to avoid the excessive post exercise soreness that prohibits him from practicing and performing effectively. Sticking to familiar exercises and loads helps ensure this. Secondly, performing the same exercises allows him time to get familiar and comfortable with the technique, ensuring absolute best form and resultant outcome. Lastly, golf is a tough mental sport especially at the very elite level. Being able to go into the gym and carry out a familiar routine means that there is no excess mental energy being used up unnecessarily.

How you can apply this – find a good training program and stick to it. Only change up exercises when performance isn’t a priority (e.g. off season).

 

 

Banded back squats have been a staple for off season training, great for power development.


2) WARM UP CONSISTENTLY

Cam recognizes the importance of warming up properly to not only prevent injury, but also help ensure he is moving correctly. His 15-minute routine of self-massage, stretch and posture setting is quite literally a daily habit. Pre tournament rounds, it’s also a great time to get his head in the right place and start mentally preparing for the upcoming challenge. The equipment used is a spiky ball, lateral resistance bandand the GravityFit TPro.

How you can apply this – Get yourself some basic warm up equipment, identify the key areas to release / stretch / activate and allocate 15 minutes before you play to go through the routine.

 

 

Cam warming up at the Bay Hill Invitational, 2017


3) TRAIN FOR SPECIFIC POWER

The keys to hitting the ball a long way are widely considered to be combination of vertical thrust and rotational speed. Since 2015 we have focused specifically on training these areas through jump variations along with rotating against resistance. The jump variations progress from small drop jumps to squat jumps with 20kg to trap bar jumps with as much as 60kg. The rotational speed approach doesn’t change much, normally working with a strong resistance band that challenges Cam to try to move at around the same speed he swings driver. This contributed to Cam placing third on tour for distance gained from 2016 to the 2017 season.

We use an accelerometer to quantify progress and drive intent by measuring speed, jump height and power output. If you are tech minded and like your training easily quantified then check out the Push Band by Train With Push.

How you can apply this – incorporate basic jump movements into your gym sessions along with some fast rotational work against resistance bands. Just remember to work on your landing mechanics (land soft) to minimize the risk of injury and work up slowly to top speeds for the rotations.

Cam working hard on his rotational speed (push band on his arm) 


4) TRAIN POSTURE AND STABILITY

To my knowledge, GravityFit make the only equipment designed to specifically train the deep muscle system responsible for holding posture and stabilising joints. The combination of axial load and the immediate feedback system means that when using the GravityFit equipment Cam is always aware of when he is in good posture and what that feels like. We combine using the equipment with simple movements that challenge his ability to maintain balance and posture. This forms part of daily routine that can be done around the house, in the gym or on the range.

How you can apply this – Start training your posture and deep muscle system, preferably using GravityFit equipment and exercises. Your joints and golf swing will thank you for it.

 

 

Cam is aiming to absorb the landing load softly whilst maintaining stability in spine and shoulders


5) KNOW WHEN TO REST

The physical, mental and emotional demands of a tournament week make it tricky to continue to train with the same volume and intensity as usual. This makes it the ideal time to reduce the intensity and volume of gym work, focusing on posture, speed and mobility. I will often prescribe a watered down version of the usual program, reducing reps, sets and load whilst still focusing on great technique.

How you can apply this – moderate your training load to suit your performance needs. Try doing the heavy stuff earlier in the week, leaving you fresher for the weekend.

Cam making the most of the massage chair in the locker room at CIMB Classic, 2016

My recommendations might seem pretty simple, and with good reason; golf is a complex, frustrating and often confusing game. I believe that golfer’s training should be straight forward, easy to implement and repeatable. In the is un-predictable sport, some consistency around physical preparation can go a long way to minimizing variability in performance.

 

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If you would like to access training programs that Cam Smith has used to train his body, then check out the following products and services from Nick at Golf Fit Pro:

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DROP THE MIC ON HOW THE WRISTS SHOULD LOAD AND BE POSITIONED FOR COMPRESSIVE POWER, ACCURACY, AND LONGEVITY!! Come on, stop finagling your wrists into knots trying to square the clubface and stop slicing. THERE IS A WAY BETTER WAY!!

 

Golf Tips • Golf Instruction • Golf Lessons • With Shawn Clement ☞https://www.wisdomingolf.com | https://wisdomingolfpremium.com |

 

00:00 Shawn introduces the Golf Lesson w/ Mu

01:05 Power backhand with a tennis racquet & baseball swing analogy w/ Mu

03:14 Hammering a nail analogy /w Mu

05:14 Which golf grip helps you stay anatomically sound towards the target

12:34 Mu demonstrates some shots from the lesson

14:24 Shawn concludes the golf lesson with Mu

 

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Author:Eckhart Diestel.

Date: April 11, 2021.

 

 

Table of Contents:

  • RISE
  • HEAVE
  • FALL
  • CATAPULT
  • HEAVE

 

This series is specifically about facilitating the engage- ment of a kinetic chain. Throwing an object, throwing a punch, etc., is a timed sequence of movements – or in other words: a kinetic chain. The proper sequence is demonstrated in extremis by Bryson DeChambreau. ”I jump up, and then I pull”.

Go through the Kinetic Chain Series first.

  “I jump up”  and “then I  pull”

 

An Unrestricted Throw
                 Conscious thoughts can change the timing of the sequence of movements. Generally, a throw is performed quite naturally. If you try to perform this motion consciously, it turns into a different task. Now you are performing a conscious sequencing of body positions. This will hinder the natural flow, or the timing, of the movement. Example: you have been told: keep your head still. Thus you limit the movements of your head. This, in turn, will restrict range of motion in your backswing. In addition, the focus on your head will impair the natural timing of the throw. We want a backswing without restrictions. You do not want to resist with the lower body while twisting your upper body only. Neither do you want to sway and load your weight unto the back foot and then back forward to fire off your lead foot. This is not the proper sequencing for a throw. Particular thoughts hinder the engagement of the kinetic chain in preparing a throw. The throwing motion loads the back foot to a degree, stretches, coils the body -”I jump up”, then sets the lead foot, followed by a simultaneous drop into your knees, a ”I jump up” ”and then I pull” 1 fall of the arms and a release of the coiled body towards the target – ”and then I pull”. All this is naturally and immediately evident when you perpetually swing you arms loosely in front of you – up to the right, up to the left – using your legs to drive the action. If your target is the ball itself, au contraire, the target is in front of you on the ground. To hit it requires a downward blow. A blow is a different kinetic chain; there is no need to coil, to plant the lead foot, nor is there a need to uncoil the body, etc..

 

A Centered And Catapulting Throw

                      To remove the restriction of the lower body in the back- swing do the feet-together drill; this is really important. Place your feet next to each other, the arches touching, forming a single ‘suction cup’; keep your knees together, no ‘Elvis Presley’. Feel very solid contact with the ground, feel ’glued’ to the ground with your feet. Then heave your arm club unit towards the trail side. Immediately to keep balance your rear will swivel into the opposite direction, ‘facing’ the target. If not, you will lose your balance.

 

Rise And Heave, Fall And Throw

                           Imagine heaving an axe and letting it fall into the stem of a tree. Upon heaving the axe back you will notice that your knees stay above your feet and the rear will immediately move in the opposite direction. Both legs will extend, you will rise up, and your head will go up – ”I jump up”. Then you let the axe fall and the movements will reverse. When you let the axe fall, you go to the ground, the head goes down, the knees flex – ”I pull”. Also see: the axe drill. Nothing about this needs to be learned. But it needs to be allowed to happen in a proper golf swing.

 

The Catapult
             Out of the fall, the pumping action of the legs, and the immediate return of the counterweight rear the axe will be catapulted forward towards the target. Sergei Polunin 2 Pay attention: all these elements need to be there. Watch Sergei Polunin jump. Landing on one foot might make this a ’tour jet´e’ – a thrown turn ! Let your golf be inspired by the incredible beauty of Sergei Polunin’s ability.
Feet Together With Two Tees
Do the feet together drill with two tees. Let the arm club unit fall using its weight and release through both tees. Do this effortlessly, let it fall into a nice catapult towards the target. The first tee is placed right in the middle of the feet, the second a few inches apart towards the target. Get through the first tee and through the second tee. Observe the ’suction’ of the feet that will keep you centered into the completed finish. Now place a ball next to the first tee and let the club fall through both tees again, sending them towards the target. It is amazing how far we can send the ball when doing this.
RISE – HEAVE – FALL – CATAPULT – HEAVE
HEAVE into the backswing, FALL into a nice catapult, HEAVE into the finish. Imagine the ball on a string, feet together. You will need a pumping motion of the legs to get the string swing. Do it with a driver. You will not be able do it without pumping with the legs. The power supply that you get from this is just phenomenal. The pumping action of this drill will solidify in your brain how it feels to use the ground to deliver your club towards the target. Follow up with the video feet together back to feet apart
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Co-authored by: Shawn Clement

 

THE MASTERS IS NEXT WEEK!! And the defending champion has a very enviable skill that so many of us would love to acquire: HOW TO FORGET THAT BAD SHOT AND MOVE ON WITH POSITIVITY AND CONFIDENCE!! The subject comes up often as to how the number 1 player in the world, Dustin Johnson, has the uncanny ability to forget bad shots immediately like water off a duck’s back, to allow him to bounce back with barrages of Birdies to keep his chances of winning very much alive.

 

This is an incredibly important skill to acquire and it is important to understand the science behind it to help with this difficult task. A couple of real experts in this field from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and the University of Southern California, Gabriele Wulf and Rebecca Lewthwaite, have some terrific info on motor skill learning at this website: Gabriele Wulf Podcast​

 

CHECK OUT THE NEW GOLF LEGACY CHANNEL BY BY OUR DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTION FOR EUROPE, EDOUARD MONTAZ, and this week he is talking about Fred Couples and his Legacy! Golf Legacy​ Wisdom in Golf specializes in creating Golf Legacies, what will be your’s??

 

PLEASE GO CHECK OUT THIS NEW INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE FROM OUT FRIENDS AT RETRIEVE FOR THE BEST INTERACTIVE GOLF COACHING IN THE INDUSTRY. SIGN UP RIGHT NOW FOR WHAT BEST SUITS YOU AT:

• BEGINNER SERIES: Beginner​

• CONSISTENCY SERIES: Consistency​

• SENIOR SERIES: Senior​

 

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00:00​ Shawn Introduces the Lesson w/ Sav & Mu

00:44​ How to observe and analyze your golf shots w/ Mu

04:26​ How the human mind utilizes its motor learning skills in relation to golf

09:00​ How to observe and analyze your golf shots w/ Sav

11:20​ What you should adapt to when you practice or play golf

12:57​ Shawn summarizes the Lesson

 

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BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN GAINING A LOT OF DISTANCE LATELY, some critics have been brow beating us saying our launch monitor numbers are fudged and we boosted the wind and conditions to show outrageous numbers. We are showing you the truth today!! Most of you already know the truth because you have experienced it for yourselves and have actually tried our teachings physically and are now reaping the big benefits! TIME TO START HITTING BOMBS ON THE GCQUAD!!! Man, this one was fun!

 

Retrieve Golf Machine Learning System:

Beginner series​

Consistency Series ​

 Senior Series​

 

GC Quad article 2021: GCQ Numbers are Absolute​

 

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Go check out Edouard’s NEW GOLF CHANNEL CALLED GOLF LEGACY at: Golf Legacy YouTube Channel with Edouard!​

Proud Partner of The Royal Bank of Canada: RBC​ ????

 

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Shawn Clement Head Director of Development at The Royal Quebec Golf Club / Shawn Clement Directeur Général du Développement au Club de Golf Royal Quebec: Teaching Pros​

 

Golf’s Perfect Imperfections Podcast Episodes: GC QUAD

 

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TALK ABOUT BIG FINISH POSITION; You have seen the swash buckling HELICOPTER finish in ARNOLD PALMER’s golf swing and there are a few more HALL OF FAME PLAYERS like BERNHARD LANGER and BUBBA WATSON that come to mind as well! They all have a few things in common such as DOMINANT TRAIL HANDS and STRONG GRIPS that make their DISSIPATION OF EXCESS energy in their follow throughs WHIRL UP TO THE SKY LIKE A HELICOPTER. We also talk about the standard and traditional wrap around finishes that are equally as good for handling the big momentum that pounds through the ball and towards the target, so stay tuned, this video is going to be a lot of fun!!

 

00:00​ Shawn Clement introduces the Lesson

01:17​ Swinging at The Ball vs. at The Target

02:41​ Drill: Throwing the club – Shawn Clement

04:59​ The Helicopter Finish

06:52​ Shawn hits some R-H shots with the Helicopter Finish

10:21​ Shawn hits some L-H shots with the Traditional Finish

12:46​ Shawn Clement ends the Lesson

 

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