7 Fitness Components
to Successful Golf.

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We all need to evaluate our 'Lives' every once in a while! Did you know, if we can take an honest look at our 'Golf Games', we may grow towards a more honest effective approach to our own daily 'Lives'? What a magical spin-off benefit for having progressively more 'FUN' out in the fresh air on beautiful stretches of manicured ground 'Chasing a Silly Little White Ball with an Oddly Shaped Stick'!

So we need to cooperatively work towards these common goals. Don't attempt to 'Go It Alone!' The 'Golf Path' is strewn with potholes and large boulders! Candidly, I better manage my own life as a result of working towards helping you good folks! Selfishly!

At first my 'Seven Components Towards Good Golf' may seem just a touch too many? We should take 'Massive Action Steps' and walk through 'The Open Doors Of Life'! These seven are very simple and essential! Let us 'Conceptualize, Intellectualize and Actualize' all of them a little before judging too harshly. First impressions are powerful! This is NOT our first date! 'Golf' enjoys consistency. We are getting to know her!

Accurate knowledge and applied understanding is key! Being aware of these 'Seven' will add balance to your 'Golf Lifestyle' and thus to your overall 'LIFE'!

We all need help along the way! The '555 TEAM' continues to grow out of this powerfully true tenet! You must improve and protect your 'General & Specific Golf Physical Condition'. You therefore need a 'Fitness Trainer'. You must hone your 'Mental Skills' so find and rub shoulders with a proven 'Mental Trainer'. You must 'Master Golf Swing Basics'. Until you get at least solidly founded upon the reality of the 'Physics & Mechanics' you shall wallow about! 'Get Lucky or Crap Shoot Golf' is likely the most common variety! Misery loves company! There is no need to belong in that group! You require a 'Golf Mechanical Trainer'. This makes a 'FOUR MAN TEAM!'

Until you 'Get A Grip' on the 'Physics Of Rotation' and the 'Geometry Of The Circle' as it relates so inextricably upon your 'Golf Life', you shall be deficient in your 'Pure Personal Pleasure' as can be derived from 'The Great Game'. You need a savvy old 'Country Gentleman Teacher' to guide you along the 'Golf Trail' so as to avoid the absolute pitfalls that abound. 'Don't Go IT Alone'!

The SEVEN COMPONENTS

1) Stretch & Strengthen (Powerfully Enabled Range Of Motion or 'ROM')
Muscles have three conditions. They can be in the contracted, in the neutral and in the elongated condition. These 'Soft Tissues' are attached and draped over and about the 'Hard Tissues' or framework we call bones. When all the 'Machine Components' are in place and operational, they can do 'Work'. This involves 'Motions' that move 'Mass' over 'Distances' at various 'Paces', 'Rates' or 'Speeds'.

Our bodies have certain 'Elasticity'. This means, for example, that we can 'Reach Out' and 'Rotate' in order to 'Do Work'. Reaching out to fetch a salt shaker is 'Work'. Interestingly, these 'Motions' themselves are a form of 'Work'. Carefully designed 'Fitness Exercises' are a valuable, pleasureful form of 'Work'.

To improve our 'Machine Efficiency' we must improve our 'Range Of Motion' ('ROM'). Once the 'ROM' is increased, we must necessarily improve the 'Strength' to support the increased elongation or leverage. When we stretch the 'Components' they can become weaker and more vulnerable to damage. This reality is precisely why any athlete, champion or novice, must prepare and condition to perform at satisfactory levels.

An example might be to consider a 'Rubber Band'? When it is in its neutral condition, the rubber band material is not very vulnerable. It is resilient. When the material is 'Stretched', like that of a balloon, it becomes more delicate. Just one pin prick!

A second example might be to consider an automobile drive shaft? If you were to take the one in your car and stretch it to double the length (the same as reducing it strength, mass and resistance by arguably approximately half) it would become vulnerable to structural failure. When you let out the clutch, all that might happen is noise... bang! When ligaments, tendons and bones fail, they too go 'Bang' or 'Snap'. Terrible sound!

All this considered, for us to 'Do More Work', striking a 'Golf Ball' with your 'Driver' prodigious distances, we had better be able to make bigger 'Motions' while doing so in a stronger condition. By this term 'Bigger Motions and Longer Distances' we must accomplish greater 'Coil or Rotation Of The Lower Body Machine' ('Axial Core Engine') as well as configure greater 'Length and Extension Of The Upper Body Machine' ('Radial Core Levers').

When we consider 'Length and Strength' in its 'Static State' it is about 'Passive Structure'. When we shift to the 'Dynamic State', 'Active Stress or Load' increases markedly. This again speaks to the issue of 'Fitness'. The human body can prepare to do 'Work' by proper appropriate exercise. If you 'Stretch To Do Work' you must wisely also 'Strengthen To Do Work'. Practically so!

The subject is enormous. Books written. Buy them. Enough said or I shall lose you!

Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance, preventing sports injury and properly rehabilitating sprain and strain injury. Don't make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won't be effective.

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2) Cardiopulmonary
The 'Golfing Body Machine', all human bodies, are 'Tissue and Plasma Engines'. They burn nutrients and produce wastes in solid, liquid and gaseous forms. In order to enable this 'Machine' we must have 'Blood Circulation' ('Fuel') and 'Air Movement' ('Combustion and Exhaust').

If you want to perform efficient 'Athletic Moves and Work', you must enable this by accomplishing efficient 'Cardio and Pulmonary' functions. If you want to excel at any 'Athletic Task' such as 'Striking Prodigious Drives', one must become more 'FIT', more capable of performing the 'Motions and Actions' with the 'Tools'. This is all about 'Kinetic Components & Procedures'.

You must respect and expand the capacity of your heart to move 'Blood'. It gets absolutely 'No Time Off'. You must also strive to care for and improve the ability of your 'Lungs' to exchange air while removing impurities.

3) Nutrition
Nutrition is 'Fuel'. Our vehicles will not go far without something relatively pure and appropriate in the tank! If you want to perform your 'Golfing Motions' efficiently, you had better provide adequate and proper 'Fuel' and 'Water' to enable your 'Body Machine' to do the 'Work'. The water also acts as a 'Coolant' just like in your radiator. You must be able to sweat efficiently! We really are an amazing 'Body Machine'.

4) Rest & Recovery
The automobile is a Machine' requiring 'Fuel and Repairs' accomplished while in a 'Static' state. The 'Human Machine', with all its intricate 'Components & Procedures', requires 'Rest & Recovery' as well as occasional repairs. Doing 'Human Work' causes anticipated 'Stress and Damage' not unlike the 'Wear & Tear' in the automobile. Regardless of the differences in 'Human and Mechanical Machines', we must keep the 'Machinery' in good repair. We must recharge our batteries and repair damage. After a tremendous round of 'Golf', you deserve a 'Rest'. Time to enjoy your prize money and trophy! Time to gloat! Time to tell all those 'Golf Stories', true or not quite!

5) The 'PHYSICAL' Aspect ('Mastering The Body Machine')
Your '555 TEAM' defines your 'Human Machine' as having a 'Physical Aspects'. It has two subcategories. The 'Lower Body Machine' ('LBM') includes the 'Feet, Knees, Hips, Trunk and Abdomen, the Chest and Shoulders'. These are alternatively called the 'Axial or Core Components'. The 'LBM' has the biggest 'Muscle Mass and Power'. It, therefore, realistically does the 'Lion's Share Of The Work'.

The 'LBM' does 'Work' to make 'Golf Balls Go Away' prodigious 'Distances' hopefully in straight lines. The 'LBM' or 'Axial Core' produces all the 'Rotary Motion'. This is what your '555 TEAM' calls the 'Round & Round or Carousel Motion'. The 'LBM' creates all the 'Horizontal Motion' required to make the 'Club head Move' and the 'Golf Ball' go away. (see the 'Golfmyth Collection')

The 'Upper Body Machine' ('UBM') is the second major aspect. It is the 'Radial Elements'. The 'UBM' is made up of 'Components' that include the 'Hands, Wrists, Elbows and Shoulder Sockets'. These 'Components' sling 'Centrifugally and Centripetally' outward from the 'Pivotal Body Core' which is the 'Rotary or Round & Round, Carousel Engine'. The 'LBM' produces exclusively the 'Horizontal Motions'.

The 'UBM' attends to all the 'Vertical Motions and Actions'. It produces all the 'Up & Down' that the 'Golf Club' experiences. Your '555 TEAM' refers to this 'UBM' activity as the 'Ferris Wheel' action which, in reality, is just like a 'Tilt-A-Whirl'. (see the 'Golfmyth Collection')

Knowing this, if you desire 'Balance In Your Golf Motions', you require 'Core Strength', 'Scapular Stability' and a keen sense of 'Cooperating Energy Behavior' (see 'ALSDR') so that you can manage the 'Club head Sweet Spot Orbit' which imparts 'Ball Flight'.

We have discussed the very appropriate 'Tether Ball Pole' image whereby the 'Tether Ball' slings 'Round & Round' the 'Pivotal Center' after it receives 'Energy' from the athlete. If we randomly 'Tilt or Interrupt' the pole's stability, the 'Ball' will 'Orbit' erratically proportionally to the 'Variable Tilt'. Better known as 'Out Of Control'! If we are not stable in our 'Lower Body Machine' during the 'Golf Swinging Motion', 'Round & Round or Carousel Motion', our 'Club head Sweet Spot Orbit' will be helter-skelter as will be the resulting 'Ball Flight'.

Effective control of the 'Golf Ball' is about efficiently 'Applied Body Machine Power' resulting in controlled and predictable 'Club head Speed' that is 'Squarely Applied' to the 'Butt Of The Ball'. This is precisely how 'Kinetic Energy' is transferred from the 'Golf Head Hammer To The Golf Ball'. This is 'Human Leverage' at its very best or close!

6) The 'MENTAL' Aspect ('Mastering The Mind Machine')
Your '555 TEAM' defines your 'Human Machine' as having a 'Brain' ('Human Computer') so that it can discern sensations. In this 'Remembered Feel' manner one can take in 'Sensory Data', 'Analyze' it and respond appropriately in order to 'Accomplish Tasks' or 'Do Work'. Repetition results! We can become more 'Machine Like' and perhaps evolve into the magical 'Reflex Golfer' we so aspire. This is all still about 'Components & Procedures'. Remember, again, in order to get the 'Machine' to operate efficiently, we must have appropriately 'MATCHING Components & Procedures'. The 'Brain' is the command centre that keeps all these intricate subconscious interactions coordinated and productive. If you want to excel at making 'Golf Swings' on the practice range or in the heat of battle, you had better strive to 'Fine Tune' your ever so flexible and vulnerable, sometimes screwed up 'Mind Machine'. Get control of your 'Tape'!

All my students are required to bring some very basic elements to the table or the practice range. They must bring copious amounts of 'Desire'. Then 'Honesty' is the glue that makes growth possible. If I ask them how they are doing or what they are feeling, honest replies support my behavior. They know I can see the 'Truth'! Finally students must have an 'Open Mind' without which little I offer gets past their ears!

Your 'Mind' manages the game. Your 'Body' plays the game. Your 'Tools' enable the 'Process'. Now that's keeping it simple! KISS!

7) Deliberate Earnest Practice ('The Old Fashioned Way')
If you want to be successful at your 'Athletic Endeavours' then do it well! The combination of reliable 'Mental Mechanical Acuity' is the formula. To become proficient at your 'Golf Swing' you must be 'Fit' and 'Conditioned To Repeat Physical Motions and Actions'. 'Golf' is about 'Repetitive Tasks'. You may strike 10 to 14 'Drives' during a round and must do so to your best ability. You may make as many as twenty to forty 'Putting Strokes' during a single round. If you work hard at your skills, you will have an opportunity to learn 'Remembered Feel' and to become a magical 'Reflex Golfer'.

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Article by Karl Fischer. Karl's background includes a Ph.D in Kinesiology and a Masters in 'Golf Physics of Rotation & Geometry of the Circle'. ('Golfing Machine' GSEM'). Karl is also the Author of 'GOLF ... Solving The Complexity Myth' (an encyclopedia). 'The 555 Golf Newsletter' and 'The Golf Doctor's Diary'. Karl can be contacted on, 555golf@cox.net

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