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Posted
As some of you know, I injured my back in 2001 ending my golf career for good. Starting last March I decided to get back into the game and see if I could at least play scratch again. Part of that process involved a lot of weight training and within the last 2 to 3 months I have put on about 15 pounds of muscle. This puts me at 170 lbs with 8% body fat (I am 5'11").

My question is should I keep going. I am a little concerned that there is a line out there that divides atheltic and bulky and don't want to cross it and then have to slim back down. Any advice from personal trainers with golf as a specialty would be much appreciated.

T.M. O'Connell

What's in My Bag
Driver - 909 D2 9.5 degree
3 Wood - 909 F2 15.5 degreeHybrid - 909 H 19 degreeIrons - AP2 w/ Rifle 6.5Wedges - BN 60.04 & 54.11Putter - Pro Platinum Plus


Posted
I entertained the thought of personal training a couple years back, did some studying, but then dropped it. I might be able to help.

What does your training routine look like? Do you feel like your range of motion is inhibited at all from putting on more muscle? I'm of the opinion that it takes a lot to get in the way of your normal flexibility. For example, for many years, it was believed that pitchers shouldnt lift because they wouldnt be able to reach back as far, but now that's been disproved. I'm pretty I can go without mentioning how important stretching is, I'm sure you already know that.

 
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Posted
I'm pretty I can go without mentioning how important stretching is, I'm sure you already know that.

Stetching??? What, it's just golf. JK.

Ya, I haven't had any motion inhibited and my workout routine is a pretty good mix of pure strength training, cardio, and even Yoga for my back. I think that I can keep going but I'm just hesitant. Clearly Tiger's strength hasn't hurt him.

T.M. O'Connell

What's in My Bag
Driver - 909 D2 9.5 degree
3 Wood - 909 F2 15.5 degreeHybrid - 909 H 19 degreeIrons - AP2 w/ Rifle 6.5Wedges - BN 60.04 & 54.11Putter - Pro Platinum Plus


Posted
At 5'11 and 170, I think you have a little ways to go before you get to bulky. The only muscle I think would "get in your way" if too bulky would be your chest. I would imagine if you have a very nice swing now, that at some point putting too much mass on your chest would alter your swing.

I also injured my back several years ago, had surgery 2 years ago, and am just starting to play again. I'm sure you know core training is the most important training you can do for a bad back. I would concentrate on that above all else. Although nothing wrong with training other body parts, but the core would be (and is) my priority.

Good luck.

Posted
First, I find it hard to believe that you have gained 15 lbs of muscle in 2-3 months unless you have used some androgenic compounds. You may have gained 15 lbs, but it’s not all muscle.

"Every man is his own hell" - H.L. Mencken


Posted
Lean is better than bulky especially in golf. I think being athletic is going to beneficial in any sport, golf included.

I'm 6'1", 185lbs and have long arms and big hands. I hit the ball alot farther than my playing partners because they're built differently. It's not so much that swing is better or I have better mechanics, I just generate more club head speed through extension and leverage.
What I play:
Cleveland HiBore XLS 9.5 Fujikura Stiff flex | Titleist 735.cm Stainless Steel True Temper S300 3-PW | Titleist Vokey GW 52 | Cleveland 588 SW 56 | Titleist Vokey LW 60 | Scotty Cameron Studio Stainless | Titleist Pro V1x

Where I play:
Texas A&M UniversityHow I play:Goals for 2008

Posted
Years back, I used to work out and stop after a while and lose my muscle mass. The great thing about working out in the past is the "muscle memory" in that you can gain the muscle much quicker than say someone that has never worked out before. As a matter of fact, in a one month time frame, I ended up putting on 20lbs of mostly muscle. I was taking creatine and whey protein.

With that said, I have also experienced issues with flexibility when working out. I have never been one that really stretched all that much, so my range of motion decreased. I was actually making a lot of progress in golf, but my swing regressed due to the lack of range of motion.

I think this was mainly due to the fact that I didn't hardly stretch rather than my actual size, because I'm your height and was at 165lbs. I think if you keep your yoga going which helps a lot with flexibility and continue stretching, you should be fine. I would be weary of getting too much bigger though. Just keep a close look on your golf swing and make sure that your added size is not affecting it. If you do see that it is affecting it, I would suggest you switch to a workout routine that is aimed for maintaining your mass rather than adding more on (this, of course, also has to do with your food intake as much as your routine).

Hope this helps.

Posted
  TMO said:
As some of you know, I injured my back in 2001 ending my golf career for good. Starting last March I decided to get back into the game and see if I could at least play scratch again. Part of that process involved a lot of weight training and within the last 2 to 3 months I have put on about 15 pounds of muscle. This puts me at 170 lbs with 8% body fat (I am 5'11").

You can definitely get too big I think. At one point in college I got really into lifting and put on about 30 pounds of muscle and ended up having zero golf game as a result. I'm now back to the same weight as before I started hitting the weights and my golf game is far and away better. I still lift and keep in shape but I don't worry about going into the gym and lifting as much weight as I possibly can. I just keep everything light at a weight I can get about 12 reps.


Posted
Athleticism by far... I think Camilo Villegas is a great example. He's pretty ripped and has good size but he's not huge. Instead, alot of his workouts have muscle compound exercises but he hits cardio hard . He's got some sick power but he's also very very flexible and has a huge rotation. Anyone not fit at all or too bulky would definitely give their back out attempting his swing imo.

Weapons of Choice:

Driver: HiBore XL
Woods: 3 & 5 Power Play Caman's
Irons: Rac'sWedges: Professional Open Series 690 52 & 60 degreePutter: Crimson Series 550Bag: Stand BagGlove: MLBall: JUICE


Posted
Go stretching, running, yoga, swimming, that sort of thing. The only reason why Tiger can still wiggle his toes is because of all the stuff he does besides just lifting.

Posted
First, I find it hard to believe that you have gained 15 lbs of muscle in 2-3 months unless you have used some androgenic compounds. You may have gained 15 lbs, but it’s not all muscle.

Ha. No andro or any other steroids. I was drinking 4 scoops of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein in the morning and then 4 scoops at night. Total protein per scoop is 24 grams meaning that I was getting 198 grams of protein just from my shakes and not including meals during the day.

I have since stopped though. Again, concerned with the rapid weight gain. I just turned 27 a few months ago and I know that my metabolism is going to eventually slow down so I figured that I don't want to push it. My goal now is a slow gain rather than fast gain but no more whey protein for a while.

T.M. O'Connell

What's in My Bag
Driver - 909 D2 9.5 degree
3 Wood - 909 F2 15.5 degreeHybrid - 909 H 19 degreeIrons - AP2 w/ Rifle 6.5Wedges - BN 60.04 & 54.11Putter - Pro Platinum Plus


Posted
Bulk is fine, but it's possible that you can lose flexibility as a result. Keep going but make sure you stretch. Look at some of the long drivers like Jason Zuback or Mike Dobbyn. They both have a stretching routine to maintain their flexibility for golf. My advice is to stay lean. Don't let yourself get over 12% body fat. The best workout would be one that balances power workouts (like power cleans, hang clean, barbell snatch etc), regular strength training, and cardio. Do a good back workout for golf. Hit the lats with pullups and pulldowns, bent over rows, deadlifts. Make sure you work your legs as it releases hormones to allow muscle to grow and it helps build a good base. Also, don't go crazy on the amount of weight you use for your back as you had previous injury like you mentioned. Woodchoppers are good too for the golf swing, with a dumbbell or a medicine ball.

Posted
  TMO said:
Stetching??? What, it's just golf. JK.

LOL, it's hilarious that some people think that way (it's just golf...), and I think we've all heard it at one time or another. I guess it's easy to make that assumption when people with the... ahem, "physical prowess" of someone like Angel Cabrera wins majors.

Your routine looks very well rounded. I'd almost go as far as to say that if you ever start limiting your flexibility, you would notice it when doing yoga, just a little bit before you'd notice it on the course. At that point, back off. It's not like it would be an overnight change, where you'll wake up one day x% less flexible. Ya know what I mean? Plyometrics may be something else you want to check out. I'd suggest sticking to the route you're on. As far as strength training goes, move to doing the dumbell equivalents instead of your normal barbell exercises. For example, instead of normal bench presses, swap in dumbell bench presses. Focus really hard on keeping good form, and bring them as deep as possible. Movements like these work to lengthen the muscles instead of constricting them. Same thing goes for rows and shoulder press as well. Thinking of throwing in some movements specific to my rotator cuffs. They can play a big part in the follow through, and how much of one you actually get. I would say power cleans, but since you had a big time back injury, I'd stay away. Oh yeah, and one last one, lunges can be a golfer's best friend, since they work the legs, and force the core muscles to stabilize your balance when going forward and back up. Again, use dumbells on this one, they help to force you to maintain your balance. Forgot two things I wanted to add - look at the routines of other athletes who you might think of as bulky. A prime example is the workout of a male gymnast. I dont know if any of you noticed, but these guys are friggin huge, and yet we know that flexibility is a must for these guys. To a lesser degree, another good one to look at is the routine of a pitcher. The other thing I wanted to ask - do any of you have any experience with any TPI (Titelist Performance Institute)-certified professionals? I was always curious as to whether this program was really legit, or if it was just something else for Titleist to throw their name on. I think the concept is pretty awesome, but I'm always kinda skeptical until I hear otherwise.

 
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Posted
The other thing I wanted to ask - do any of you have any experience with any TPI (Titelist Performance Institute)-certified professionals? I was always curious as to whether this program was really legit, or if it was just something else for Titleist to throw their name on. I think the concept is pretty awesome, but I'm always kinda skeptical until I hear otherwise.

I have been thinking about going to see a guy from TPI. I see him every now and then at the range and he can get me back in shape and can get me back on tour. Honestly, not in the cards for me unless someone gives me a few million to screw around and forget about my legal education but whatever. He seems nice but without having an MD in front of your name I am a little nervous when people start saying they can "fix" my back.

T.M. O'Connell

What's in My Bag
Driver - 909 D2 9.5 degree
3 Wood - 909 F2 15.5 degreeHybrid - 909 H 19 degreeIrons - AP2 w/ Rifle 6.5Wedges - BN 60.04 & 54.11Putter - Pro Platinum Plus


Posted
Yeah, I can completely understand why you'd be hesitant. That's not exactly something you'd want to put in the hands of someone who thinks they know what's best. Not saying the guy isnt a good trainer and all, but I'd verify anything he says with your normal orthopedic doctor. And if you do find someone just randomly handing out a few million here and there, would you mind slipping them my name?? :)

Do you know anyone that goes to this guy, and if his programs are any good? There are a couple of TPI certified pros in my area, and I've always been curious to hear what they had to say, just in case there was something huge I wasnt aware of, but I dont wanna fork out the cash on somone that's going to be extremely basic. That much I've got...

 
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This Week's Bag Drop - Miura Passing Point 9003 Forged Irons and Adams Idea Pro a12 Irons and Hybrids  - Sweet new forged cavity backs from Miura (do they make any irons that arent simply beautiful?) and irons/hybrids from Adams created with...


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