Bah fitness - it's mental [Irish Times]

[nevets88]

Golfers can big themselves up all they want – they ain’t fooling me
Obsession with doing weights overlooks the fact that golf is a mental game

Quote

Since there’s possibly never been as mercurial a golf talent, it is dangerous, but nevertheless necessary, to point out how McIlroy hadn’t actually been playing so good up to the WGC-Dell Matchplay: or that he hasn’t won a Major since luminaries such as Nick Faldo and Paul Azinger started expressing concern at how the Irishman’s changing body-shape could impact on his game.

Bench-pressing twice your own body weight is all very well but it won’t silence any internal voice determined to worm doubt into a player’s mind. And it might very well screw up that intangible but very real feel which is vital to any top player.
“Golf is a game played on a five-inch course,” Bobby Jones famously declared. “The distance between your ears.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golfers-can-big-themselves-up-all-they-want-they-ain-t-fooling-me-1.2588848

[natureboy]

Golf writer stirs tempest in tea-pot to enhance name recognition? Does Rory bench twice his body weight? I doubt it.

Everything I've read has Rors focusing on building a body that's reliably flexible, won't break down with practice and a long season, plus bolstering his core to protect his previously injured back. Shows he's 'grown-up' serious (not 'baby-fat' ignorant) about his profession AFAIC. The only real concern with Rors is to not over-do a good thing and get 'jacked' like Tiger. Tiger had so much extra upper body mass for his natural frame that it was extra work to accelerate and decelerate = back wear.

Nicklaus built up his legs sprinting the bases and the basketball court. Does he think that work was bad for his career success?

Back and shoulder work is good for golf durability. Chest work balances back work. Leg work is absolutely critical and when I did crew, I would squat much more than Rory and I wasn't bulked up by any means - just fit.

The only element in Rors' physique that strikes me as 'cosmetic' and not really functional for the golf swing is the upper arms. Of course he could maybe get a slight boost from stronger triceps so then you balance that work with a little on the biceps. But I suspect with Scott, Rors, and Jason Day it's the image consultants from their sportswear sponsors who promote the biceps to sell some extra gear. Think of the girlfriends and wives who buy golf clothes as gifts. Now think how you would buy lingerie for wife / girlfriend from Victoria's secret catalog. Would you go by quality of material, design, or workmanship or the model you liked or remembered best?

Edited March 29, 2016 by natureboy