Golf Specific Strength and Conditioning Intervention

Louie Chan talks to James Honey, the Lead S&C Coach for HKGA, about the benefit of Strength and Conditioning Training on the National Team, Elite Junior and even amateur golfers 

HKGA Junior team golfer Zesen Hu training for strength

LC: What is the significant difference of S&C intervention for golf against other sports?

JH: There are a few key components when designing an S&C intervention for golf athletes. The athletic requirements for golf are specific, and can be defined as follows:  

Mobility - the capacity to reach certain movement standards with control. For instance, touching your toes.

Motor Control - the ability to apply the technique to the mobility that is present. For instance, sequencing together a full drive swing.

Strength - the foundation of all movements.

Power Generation - the ultimate aim is to perform a technically optimised swing, with maximised movement speed.
All athletes are different with different strengths and weaknesses, so whilst the foundations of a program may contain similar elements and end-goals, the steps taken may be vastly different between individuals.

LC: How do you apply S&C Training to the HKGA golf development programme?

JH: The Elite Junior and National Team golfers in Hong Kong have benefitted from their S&C interventions across the past two years. Critically, many of the athletes are in the midst of adolescence, and so appropriate guidance and training on movement competency have aided largely in ensuring the athletes secure a strong foundation for movement and strength first and foremost. Working with each on their specific requirements has allowed each to optimise their development, learn and establish good training and recovery habits, and improve their golf game in all aspects through moving more efficiently and with more strength. The programming is largely focused on establishing a strength foundation, whilst enhancing movement capacity and body awareness.

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