Most golfers today are much more aware of how fitness can assist them in playing better golf. But it's also important when working out that the exercises you undertake are relevant to the game.

In this Fit Tip Video the SCGA in conjunction with Hansen Fitness For Golf want to help you balance better during your golf swing. Mike Hansen and Gentry Fields want to know... how long can you balance on one leg?

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Canadians from coast to coast invited to share their stories at www.golfcanadagolf.ca or through social media using #GolfCanadaGolf

Tweet or share: Canadian golf launches #GolfCanadaGolf national marketing campaign; golfers invited to share their stories atwww.golfcanadagolf.ca

(April 16, 2015) – With nearly 5.7 million enthusiasts and 60 million rounds played annually, Canadians are passionate about the game of golf.

As Canada’s most participated sport, every golfer has a unique story to tell, and now the Canadian golf industry is encouraging golfers to share those stories, aligning on a national campaign to market the game of golf in Canada.

Having trouble with back pain while playing golf? These two basic stretches will help.

Check out this latest SCGA Fit Tip on how you can eliminate your back pain while out on the course. These two stretches can be done with a cart and a golf club as you get ready at the next hole.

With the weather co-operating the way it has in our fair province the golf season is off to a rousing early start.

Of course it’s still important to pay attention to golf-related fitness so we don’t suffer injury or fall into bad habits right out of the chute.

February 17, 2015

by Katherine Roberts

Renowned Yoga for golf instructor Katherine Roberts has another exercise routine that we can all employ for both overall better fitness and to benefit our golf swing through better balance.

Katherine Roberts Teaches How To Use Yoga To Improve Your Performance On The Golf Course

image courtesy Katherine Roberts

February 2, 2015

Golf fitness through yoga expert, Katherine Roberts, has an exercise routine designed specifically to increase shoulder turn and strength, both of which are essential if you really want to get the maximum potential out of your swing.

In order to build a proper swing arc it's really important to get the shoulders turning as the start of the backswing.

Too often we see players simply swing their arms back which also results in picking the club up far too early.

That motion will significantly reduce both the length and shape of a swing arc. In turn a far less powerful and indeed efficient swing takes plac, robbing us of precious distance which is so critical if you want to get the ball to the hole sooner.

Watch below as Kathering demonstrates three very helpful exercises that will assist you in making a better, more dynamic shoulder turn in your golf swing.

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Mike Hansen and Jentry Fields in this SCGA Fit tip video show you how you can stretch out those tight back muscles while on the course.  These are two simple exercised you can do while waiting to play.

As Mike explains, its often not the muscles in the lower back that are tight and need stretching, its the surrounding musculature such as your hip and gluteus maximus.  Try this instead of 2 Advil!

Watch the video

Dec 17, 2014

Jim Lee, British Columbia Golf

We all want to increase the distance of our shots and a main contributing factor to distance is club head speed.  As we age, we lose this with decreased flexibiity and strength through our core and in our arms and shoulders.  This surprisingly simple drill, courtesy of the SCGA, shows a means of increasing your swing speed.  Be careful though, that you don't over-extend yourself by adding weight to the club. 

Dave Sabo from Momentum Sports shows how to do the exercise properly without having to buy any other add-on equipment.  While having sufficient strength in your arms, shoulders and core is important to a swing, as is flexibility, the development of muscle speed is somewhat independent and takes specific exercises.  Professional golfers don't look like weight lifters and relatively slim golfers can hit the ball very well - witness many junior golfers.  They are able to develop swing speed without the benefit of muscle mass.

Watch the video.

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November 24, 2014

David Shefter, USGA

FAR HILLS, New Jersey (David Shefter/USGA) — Beginning about thirty years ago, golf course architects seemed to be engaged in a game of one-upsmanship to design the boldest and most dramatic layout.

Many of these designs were visually stunning, diabolically difficult and drew rave reviews from golf publications. There was just one problem.

"We tried to build courses to be photographed rather than be played," said Bruce Charlton, president/design officer for Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects, who helped shape Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash., site of the 2015 U.S. Open.

"It was a dark period for golf course architecture. We moved too much dirt. We tried to make courses too difficult."

November 20, 2014

Jim Lee, British Columbia Golf

As we age, flexibility becomes more of an issue for most of us.  The golf swing demands a higher degree of flexibility in the back and shoulders to allow a good back swing and follow through.  This fit tip video from our partners at the SCGA demonstrates a simple exercise that you can use either prior to a round at the course, or on your living room floor this winter.  Spring is really not that far off!  Watch the video

November 7, 2014

Jim Lee British Columbia Golf

This Fit Tip video from the Southern California Golf Association shows you a simple exercise to help you develop and maintain the strength in your hips and shoulders that are ncessary to maintain your swing.  Dave Sabo from Momentum Sports Therapy in Orange County demonstrates an excercise you can do while watching television this winter.  Watch the video

Oct 23, 2014

Jim Lee, British Columbia Golf

As we age, one of the first parts of our body's performance that we lose is balance and flexibility in the swing.  Just compare the swing of a good golfer in their teens with that of a 60-year old.  Just like with strength, focussed exerecise can assist to retain your balance and flexibility, but these are elements that need to be worked on in a consistent fashion, not just during the golf season.

In this video from our partners at the Southern California Golf Association, Mike Hansen and Jentry Fields demonstrate some easy exercises to keep you in good shape.

Watch the video.

Alfie Lau, Inside Golf

After 16 hours of High Performance Camp for the province’s best junior golfers, I learned that while golf is hard, getting better at golf isn’t quite as difficult. Many of the lessons coaches Matt Palsenbarg, Jody Jackson, Helene Delisle and Matt Cella, along with trainers Nick Mueller and Lindsay Manion, had can be used by golfers of all abilities.

And while you may not get to the championship level of an Alisha Lau, Shirin Anjarwalla, or Keaton Gudz, you can improve your game with these tips from the experts.

Oct 24, 2014

Jim Lee British Columbia Goilf

In this swing tip video from the Southern California Golf Association, you learn the bump and run shot using a hybrid.  With the way that some courses are now being maintained with drier and firmer conditions, this technique will be of increasing importance. Watch the video here.

October 23, 2014

Alfie Lau, Inside Golf

The British Columbia Golf High-Performance Camp for the province’s best and brightest under the age of 17 featured many drills designed to challenge the physical, mental and emotional games of each golfer.

But one drill in particular was a “Coach’s Favourite” and can be used by any club player who thinks they can succeed at the highest levels of golf.

“ 'Worst ball' is something I’ll sometimes play with my friends,” said Team B.C. coach Matt Palsenbarg.

In this delightful video by Rodrigo Rangel and Julia Gummo, Jim McDermott coaches members of the Victoria Disabled Golfers Association and shows their sheer pleasure in playing golf at Henderson Park in Oak Bay.  The members of his group show that they can get as much, if not more, pleasure from the game as the rest of us.  As Jim says, "Golf is a big part of their happy experience" Watch the video here. 

If you like the video, leave a comment on Youtube!

Three Of Canada's Great Career Amateurs From L-R: Doug Roxburgh, Gary Cowan And Graham Cooke - Images Courtesy Inside Golf/Golf Canada

By John Gordon, Golf Canada

What would it take to help you make the decision to remain an amateur golfer or turn pro?

For one Hall of Famer, it took a plane crash.

On a miserable December night 60 years ago, a young Marlene Stewart was returning to Toronto from college in Florida. The pilot undershot the runway and the plane careered into a field, shearing off a wing. A terrified Marlene and a friend escaped through the hole created when the wing was torn off. As they ran from the wreck, it burst into flames and exploded. Miraculously, no one was killed although there were some injuries.

August 22, 2014
Jim Lee (British Columbia Golf)

In this USGA video, a stimpmeter is used to show how a superintendent measures the speed of greens. For the golfer, the video provides information on how green speeds impact the speed of play by creating conditions which some golfers have difficulty with. Green speeds also help to determine hole locations, since more sloped portions of greens shoudn't be used with higher green speeds. 

The superintendent is looking for consistency across all greens and the practice putting surface. While green speeds of 10 and above are common at professional events, the average golfer will play better with slower speeds. Ask in the proshop what the green speeds are at your course, and see how they impact your putting. Click here to watch this video.

Aug 21, 2014

Reprinted with permission from Travel Underwriters, a member of the TU Group of Companies.

The Atlantic hurricane season starts in early June and can run as late as November. This raises a lot of questions for Canadians travelling to hurricane hot spots like the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and the East and Gulf coasts of the United States—in particular Florida, Louisiana and Texas.

Here are our top 5 tips for staying covered while travelling to at-risk hurricane zones: