Golf Fitness
Article 3: Incredible! David Steele - 774 Holes in 24hr!
Friday 28 March 2003: "I want to complete a 24-hr Golf Marathon on 4-5th June 2003" David informs me.
"I've checked out the World Record, and am awaiting confirmation."
I had 10 weeks to get Med Golf member David Steele into the shape of his life. Whilst he had previously completed a
16-hr marathon, I knew from my own background (Ironman Triathlon), just how demanding 24 hr would prove. Not just
physically, but mentally AND emotionally. But both of us were up for the challenge!
The top young players of today are leaner, more muscular, and more flexible than the generation of golfers before them.
And It's this better physical conditioning that allows the pros to hit drives farther than ever, play 72-hole
tournaments nearly every week, and rehabilitate even career-threatening injuries. So it began with the assessment.
This consisted of:
Body Composition Analysis
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Muscular Fitness
Mobility / Flexibility / Range of Motion
Balance Tests
Driving Range Evaluation
From here we devised the plan. Once the essential skills of Golf are mastered, there is no reason why a person can
not score consistently provided they keep the excess weight off, remain supple, strong and cardiovascularly fit.
Yet as an accomplished golfer (an ex-European Tour professional), I knew there was little I could offer David in
terms of improving his swing (the most obvious cause of injury).
So instead the emphasis would be on reducing body fat / increasing lean muscle mass, whilst improving cardiorespiratory
fitness, and most importantly restoring full mobility/flexibility of the body. Many people consider golf a low-level
physical activity without the possibility of injury ever happening to them. But, the reality is, that many golfers
suffer serious injuries to the elbow, spine, knee, hip or wrist.
There is perhaps no single action in sport that requires more overall muscular strength, joint flexibility, and
movement coordination than a perfectly executed golf swing. A golf swing creates a lot of torque and tension in
the body and can lead to soreness and stiffness. Tightened muscles then lead to shorter drives.
Hence, it would be key over 24hr to avoid any niggles to the back, shoulders or wrists that would force David to
abandon his attempt. To counter this, David was instructed to stretch twice daily through a series of 8-10 stretches,
holding each for about 20-30 sec.
We met twice weekly to run through a series of increasingly challenging resistance training exercises. This consisted
of weight machines where appropriate, plus free weights, as well as resistance tubing, Pilates exercises, instability
cushions and the Fitball. This variety allowed for multi-directional exercise actions as per Golf, as well as
encouraging a keen sense of body balance/body awareness crucial for maintaining a consistent swing.
David also agreed to including 30-40 min of cardiovascular exercise, at various tempo's, at least twice per week, in
addition to our sessions. Without a cardio fitness component in a golfer's training routine, fatigue often sets in and
limits the quality practice time as well as match scores.
Although hard for a Geordie, I also had to advise on correct and suitable nutrition including alcohol consumption!
In 10 weeks, David made considerable progress in his overall level of fitness. Yet with more time, and having learnt
from this occasion, I know David could go on to better his amazing score of 774 holes in 24hr. But at the same time,
as a witness to the event, nothing should be taken away from David. He was an example to many observers as to how
sometimes the mind can be more powerful (through sheer strength of character) than the body if you truly want something
badly enough. It was a privilege to witness.
Dated Sept. 2003
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