One Day "Boot Camp" at Boston University Helps Golfers Lower Scores

Thursday, March 16, 2006

(Boston) – As the anticipation of spring builds, many avid golfers are counting down the days until their first tee time of the season. With plans to tee off more than last year, many swear that this year will be their best yet, with their lowest scores and handicaps.

For those who are serious about improving their score, the Boston University Athletic Enhancement Center (BUAEC) is offering a one day workshop this spring for golfers to get their game on track.

The Complete Golfer: Smoother Swings, Lower Scores, which is run by sports medicine experts specializing in strength and conditioning, sport psychology and physical therapy from the BUAEC, will help golfers with the physical and mental tools they need to safely cut strokes off their game.

Although many people regard golf as a sport that doesn’t require a high level of fitness to play, experts disagree.

“The golf swing is a multiplanar activity requiring strength, balance, flexibility and coordination,” said Asra Usman, physical therapist at the BUAEC. “As licensed physical therapists, we can help golfers target deficits in these areas and provide a personalized program to help optimize performance and prevent injury.”

The workshop begins with an individualized assessment of each golfer including comprehensive golf performance screening with a biomechanical analysis and athletic assessment; a functional golf movement screen; and a sport psychology profile to address the mind’s role in the game.

After their individual assessment, golfers then participate in two interactive sessions including “Golf Strength, Flexibility and Balance” which will focus on golf specific strength training; and “Golf Between the Ears – Sport Psychology” where they will learn to apply sports psychology principles to their game.

At the end of the day, golfers leave with exercises and a performance enhancement plan individualized to their golfing and injury prevention needs.

“Little things can make a big difference on the golf course,” said Adam Naylor, coordinator of the BUAEC. “More athletic balance, better injury prevention, and effective management of thoughts and emotions can help shave strokes off of a golfer’s game and will lead to more enjoyable rounds of golf!”

The Complete Golfer: Smoother Swings, Lower Scores will be held at Boston University on Saturday, May 20 from 8:30a.m.-12:30p.m. The cost of the program is $199.

For more information or to register, please visit http://www.bu.edu/aec or call the BUAEC at 617-353-0313

Boston University (BU) Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is an institution of higher education, research and clinical centers whose premier academic programs prepare dynamic health professionals and whose research and leadership in the health and rehabilitation sciences is actively shaping health care. BU Sargent College is the only private institution in the country offering five nationally ranked graduate programs in health and rehabilitation sciences. For more information and to learn about degree programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, communication disorders, health sciences, athletic training, nutrition, and rehabilitation counseling, visit http://www.bu.edu/sargent.