Today is Thanksgiving day. Happy Thanksgiving to all my family, friends and followers. Although today is thanksgiving, a champion never takes a day off. Having said that, today was the last day of my week's workout.
I had another great workout. Performed all my PST's and added some kettlebell swings and 400 rope skips. I am getting better and better at skipping rope, it is much more difficult than i remembered but i can routinely get over 40 skips before i trip the rope, sometimes i can go 100 straight skips before tripping the rope.
I have not added my TPI fitness stuff to my routine yet. I think i will try to add them into this coming weeks rotation. I am also starting the advocare 24 day challenge on monday. I need to add a post workout recovery meal to my workouts. I am leaning towards just a shake, maybe muscle milk or something along those lines. I want to keep the calories on the lower side because i do my workouts at night and then go to bed shortly after. I am also thinking about skipping rope in between workouts as well to get some cardio stuff in, but i think i would prefer to bike. I am going to look into that as well.
I will keep you posted! Happy Holidays.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Swing speed study
I wasn't planning on posting today, but i went out and collected some data and wanted to share that with you. As part of my off-season training and a way of tracking improvement in my body and swing sequencing I am doing a study on my swing speed as it relates to:
Today i collected the first Sample set, my start of the off-season set. This is the data collected today 11/20/11.
Club Average Swing Speed (mph) Standard Deviation
Driver 101.1 1.370
5 Iron 87.9 6.154
9 Iron 79.6 6.915
As you can see i am most consistant speed wise with my driver, which is actually completely opposite of what my hypothesis was. I figured with the greatest length club, and the fact that this is my most inconsistant club, my swing speeds would have been everywhere but they were very close. My irons were horribly inconsistant. On that note i should mention that my 9 Iron data is probably slightly skewed because i had two shots with swing speeds in the low 90's (90+92) that really raised my average swing speed up a bit. I should have discarded those two swings and took two more, but i wanted to stick with just hitting 10 swings. What i am going to do next time is eliminate outliers during data collection.
I am also adding a small video of what my swing looks like at the present. When I was hitting balls i was actually striking the ball quite poorly and I am actually kind of glad I took this video while swinging poorly because it shows how my over active head rotation hurts my swing. I rotate my head and then lift it out of the shot and loose my posture. You will also notice the excessive forarm rotation and how the club is laid off at the top of my backswing. So now that I have gotten to see my swing faults (these listed and early extension are my faults, and what i work on in my game) I will have a better idea of what i should be doing during the off-season to correct them.
- Improved core strength and stability
- Improved sequencing and timing
Today i collected the first Sample set, my start of the off-season set. This is the data collected today 11/20/11.
Club Average Swing Speed (mph) Standard Deviation
Driver 101.1 1.370
5 Iron 87.9 6.154
9 Iron 79.6 6.915
As you can see i am most consistant speed wise with my driver, which is actually completely opposite of what my hypothesis was. I figured with the greatest length club, and the fact that this is my most inconsistant club, my swing speeds would have been everywhere but they were very close. My irons were horribly inconsistant. On that note i should mention that my 9 Iron data is probably slightly skewed because i had two shots with swing speeds in the low 90's (90+92) that really raised my average swing speed up a bit. I should have discarded those two swings and took two more, but i wanted to stick with just hitting 10 swings. What i am going to do next time is eliminate outliers during data collection.
I am also adding a small video of what my swing looks like at the present. When I was hitting balls i was actually striking the ball quite poorly and I am actually kind of glad I took this video while swinging poorly because it shows how my over active head rotation hurts my swing. I rotate my head and then lift it out of the shot and loose my posture. You will also notice the excessive forarm rotation and how the club is laid off at the top of my backswing. So now that I have gotten to see my swing faults (these listed and early extension are my faults, and what i work on in my game) I will have a better idea of what i should be doing during the off-season to correct them.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
My golf goals for 2012 season
As promised i am posting my golfing goals for the 2012 season. So with no further delay, here they are:
1.) Improve my ball striking - this will be measured by greens in reulation. I will improve my ball striking by swinging my club everyday making 50 concentrated swings focusing on perfect form and keeping my head still. My swing keys to emphasize are letting the right shoulder bring the head up and keeping my butt in contact with the wall to keep from early extending.
2.) Improve my driving accuracy - this will be measured by fairways in regulation. I will improve my driving accuracy by working on core strength and stability and hitting at least 20 balls with drive while practicing.
3.) Improve my short game - this will be measured by performing a benchmark test which will consist of chipping to different holes and recording the distance to the hole, then trying to improve that benchmark each week. I will spend at least 30 minutes a day pitching and chipping in the backyard and spend 15 minutes during practice sessions on chip shots around the green.
4.)Maintain my putting stroke - I am already a good putter but i want to maintain my putting stroke and try to improve my tempo and distance control. I will practice putting in the living room and focus on good tempo. I will periodically check my putting stroke on a video camera and with an alignment mirror and practice my alignment with a mirror.
Current 2011 statistics and (Goal) statistics:
Average score 93 (85)
Current Handicap 16.7 (10)
F.I.R% 26.04% (50%)
G.I.R% 20.20% (60%)
Putts per green 1.86 (1.5)
1.) Improve my ball striking - this will be measured by greens in reulation. I will improve my ball striking by swinging my club everyday making 50 concentrated swings focusing on perfect form and keeping my head still. My swing keys to emphasize are letting the right shoulder bring the head up and keeping my butt in contact with the wall to keep from early extending.
2.) Improve my driving accuracy - this will be measured by fairways in regulation. I will improve my driving accuracy by working on core strength and stability and hitting at least 20 balls with drive while practicing.
3.) Improve my short game - this will be measured by performing a benchmark test which will consist of chipping to different holes and recording the distance to the hole, then trying to improve that benchmark each week. I will spend at least 30 minutes a day pitching and chipping in the backyard and spend 15 minutes during practice sessions on chip shots around the green.
4.)Maintain my putting stroke - I am already a good putter but i want to maintain my putting stroke and try to improve my tempo and distance control. I will practice putting in the living room and focus on good tempo. I will periodically check my putting stroke on a video camera and with an alignment mirror and practice my alignment with a mirror.
Current 2011 statistics and (Goal) statistics:
Average score 93 (85)
Current Handicap 16.7 (10)
F.I.R% 26.04% (50%)
G.I.R% 20.20% (60%)
Putts per green 1.86 (1.5)
First week workout complete
Today brings the end of my workout week. It was a sucessful week. I managed to make the time for each workout and it wasn't that big of a strain on my schedule. Another week of this and it might become habit. I already have my favorite drills out of the PST's i was given. My favorite is the left arm swing, right arm push with swiss ball. I feel i can keep my arms soft and turn my torso better. You get a real good pop in the impact bag. I also seem to get the most burn in my abdomen while doing this particular drill. After completing my drills I have been jumping rope. I am not a good rope jumper, but it's been fun to try.
I wanted to collect some data this week so i can benchmark my swing. I was going to collect swing speeds for 10 swings with 3 different clubs, Driver, 5 Iron and 9 Iron. When i went to do it today, i called the driving range and they said they were still open, but they were closed today because it was cold. Maybe i will get an opportunity to collect the data at another location. I dont want to just swing and collect the data incase i get a different swing speed when not hitting the ball.
I also was hoping to get out and make a couple videos of my swings with my high speed camera so i can see what my swing looks like now and after the off season training.
I haven't made a complete workout plan yet. I have been so busy this week with tests and homework for both school and work. I will get that done. On another note, my advocare 24 day challenge package arrived and i will be starting that after thanksgiving. I will take a starting weight and an ending weight and see how much of a jumpstart i get on my weight loss.
I wanted to collect some data this week so i can benchmark my swing. I was going to collect swing speeds for 10 swings with 3 different clubs, Driver, 5 Iron and 9 Iron. When i went to do it today, i called the driving range and they said they were still open, but they were closed today because it was cold. Maybe i will get an opportunity to collect the data at another location. I dont want to just swing and collect the data incase i get a different swing speed when not hitting the ball.
I also was hoping to get out and make a couple videos of my swings with my high speed camera so i can see what my swing looks like now and after the off season training.
I haven't made a complete workout plan yet. I have been so busy this week with tests and homework for both school and work. I will get that done. On another note, my advocare 24 day challenge package arrived and i will be starting that after thanksgiving. I will take a starting weight and an ending weight and see how much of a jumpstart i get on my weight loss.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
1st workout
Well today marked my first day of off-season training. My training schedule isn't quite concrete as far as content but it is concrete as far as frequency. I will be training sunday, tuesday and thursday evenings. Today kind of snuck up on me with the advent of a very busy week this past week. I did make a trip to Endicott to visit Chris Welch at Zenolink and go over how to perform my Progressive Skills Training (PST) exercises properly. There are only 5 exercises that are designed to improve my coordination and stability, thus improving my kinetic link. The exercises given to me are:
1) Core separation with a swiss ball
2) Towel snap drill
3) 1/2 Swing into impact bag with swiss ball
4) Left arm swing- right arm push into impact bag with swiss ball
5) full swings into impact bag with swiss ball
I also added jumping rope for a cardio aspect to my workout. Since my week was so crazy and I didn't get to effectively plan my workout i will put some time in tonight or monday night to write down my work out for the week, but every workout will have the 5 PST exercises.
For my blog i am planning on posting once a week with an update of what i did and if i was successful at doing that. But if need be i will post more to keep you up to date on what is going on. Feel free to chime in with your favorite golf workout. I also plan to bring you a post with my 2012 golfing goals and my nutrition plan.
If you are interested in ZenoLink and improving your kinetic link be sure to check out the website in the links on my blog. Also if you are interested in 3D swing analysis and a Titleist Performance Institute workout be sure to check out the 3D golf labs in the links on my blog. Also remember to contact your local PGA professional regarding your golf swing and golf fitness.
1) Core separation with a swiss ball
2) Towel snap drill
3) 1/2 Swing into impact bag with swiss ball
4) Left arm swing- right arm push into impact bag with swiss ball
5) full swings into impact bag with swiss ball
I also added jumping rope for a cardio aspect to my workout. Since my week was so crazy and I didn't get to effectively plan my workout i will put some time in tonight or monday night to write down my work out for the week, but every workout will have the 5 PST exercises.
For my blog i am planning on posting once a week with an update of what i did and if i was successful at doing that. But if need be i will post more to keep you up to date on what is going on. Feel free to chime in with your favorite golf workout. I also plan to bring you a post with my 2012 golfing goals and my nutrition plan.
If you are interested in ZenoLink and improving your kinetic link be sure to check out the website in the links on my blog. Also if you are interested in 3D swing analysis and a Titleist Performance Institute workout be sure to check out the 3D golf labs in the links on my blog. Also remember to contact your local PGA professional regarding your golf swing and golf fitness.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Welcome to the Breaking Par golf blog
My name is Ryan and i am an avid golfer that lives in upstate New York. Like many of you I have high hopes for my golf game. Unlike some of you I have been working with a PGA professional on my game for the past 4 years. This coming season will be my fifth year playing golf. I have made a list of goals for this season which i will share with you in my next post. I have outlined some steps i am going to take to acheive those goals and this blog is my account of the progress i have made or haven't made working towards those goals. I am happy to share with you all the steps i am taking towards improving my game in hopes that maybe you will be inspired to also improve on your own game. This blog will serve as a road map of sorts to help some of you who are struggling to improve get ideas that might help your game as well. Of course you should always consult your local PGA professional to make sure you are working on the appropriate things for your own unique golf swing and tendancies. I also hope that you will leave comments with ideas or things you are working on in your game. This is my first ever attempt at blogging and i hope you stick with me. It is going to be an interesting journey and it is just getting under way. Thank you for stopping by the Breaking Par golf blog.
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