The Tour Fit for Golf programme was officially launched this week as three amateur golfers were put through their paces at the start of a programme to optimise their health, fitness and golf game.
Nick Blunt, a 10 handicapper for Holtye Golf Club in Kent, Chris Hughman, who plays off 12 at Theydon Bois in Essex, and Kevin Garside, the 15 handicap Golf Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, will go right through the Tour Fit for Golf programme over the next few months as they prepare to play in the Portugal Masters Pro-Am in October.
The three of them will showcase the information that is available to everyone online through Tour Fit for Golf, where the specialist knowledge from the European Tour Performance Institute team can be accessed through My European Tour.
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Over two days at the Saab Wales Open at the Celtic Manor Resort, the three amateurs had their fitness and swings analysed and reconstructed by the experts on Tour. The aim is to make the three of them healthier, fitter and better at golf with the help of the biomechanical expertise from Jean-Jacques Rivet, head of biomechanics of the University of Marseilles, tuition from renowned coach Simon Holmes, training from Rob Hillman, The European Tour’s Director of Physiotherapy.
“It was a real eye opener,” said Garside as he reflected on the analysis. “It was humbling and fascinating to learn that first, my swing even at address was flawed – I knew it was flawed but didn’t know it was so flawed - but also the impression I had of my swing that I looked like Nick Faldo was a long way from the truth.
“Thanks to the analysis of the ETPI and Jean-Jaques Rivet they deconstructed my swing biomechanically so I could understand and then came the brutal truth from Simon Holmes. He explained that first, I didn’t have time to work on my game and secondly , I didn’t know what I was doing. Simon then was very helpful in getting me in the right position outlined by Jean-Jacques biomechanically, and though crippling, the rebirth of my game was ultimately fulfilling and I look forward to getting that single figure handicap I know I can achieve.”
Blunt’s reaction was that it was simply an “unbelievable” experience.
“This is what the pros get,” he said as he stood on the range alongside the likes of US Open Champion Graeme McDowell. “Ultimately this is any amateur golfers dream, to have access to all this technology, expertise and coaching. I play off 10 and want to improve my handicap as much as possible but more importantly, I want to understand what I do. That understanding will help make everything more solid.”
Hughman was equally delighted with the day and the “priceless knowledge.”
“Just being able to spend so much time with these guys was fascinating.
“It’s amazing how quickly they managed to identify the flaws in my game and when they explained it, it all makes perfect sense. I am now very excited about the prospect of improving.”
The beauty of Tour Fit For Golf is that this ETPI knowledge is available to all on-line through the collaboration between the ETPI and Tour Fit For Golf accessed through My Europeantour on www.europeantour.com or www.tourfitforgolf.com.
This simply involves undertaking the free on-line health assessment and getting a q-score. Then become a member of Tour Fit For Golf and access videos of the some of the best players in the world - Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Matteo Manassero, Rory McIlroy, Alvaro Quiros and Lee Westwood - being analysed by the ETPI experts, Hilman and Rivet, followed by instructional videos from the Race to Dubai Physio Unit on how to screen yourself and train to become Tour Fit for Golf.
Tim Dodd, CEO of Tour Fit for Golf, said: “These three amateurs are showcasing what is available to everyone online. There are 24 videos online focusing on six key areas which includes exercise videos designed to be done at home. It is essentially a dynamic health programme, personalised on the basis of an extensive health questionnaire, tailored to each individual.”
To sign up to Tour Fit for Golf and get your game in shape, visit My European Tour by clickinghere
