Playing in the Zone – Part 2 – Total Golf Fitness
– Feel Younger, Play Better, Live Longer –
As we saw so vividly displayed in the final round of the 2011 Masters, a purely hit ball is a joy and wonder to behold. But more importantly, what the top pros experience in moments of peak performance is open to every golfer, all the time. So is the exquisite natural high –- the energetic uplift — we get when we play in the Zone.
Many golfers intuitively enter the ‘Zone’ by being at the place (right location) – which I first explored in ‘Playing in the Zone – Power Spots”, and at the right time. But the most important quality aspiring golfers need to be able to play in the Zone, at will, is “Total Golf Fitness”. “Total Golf Fitness” — which includes the golfers physical, energetic, emotional, mental and spiritual fitness and conditioning will be explored in great depth. But today we will explore various methods of external and internal training beginning with the teachings of the late PGA Grandmaster Teacher, the illustrious Paul Bertholy.
– The Born Again Golfer –
Paul Bertholy
Paul Bertholy often said: “To play to your full potential, you need greater strength, flexibility, stamina, and endurance. You must rejuvenate, and be born again.”
“The typical adult golfer is not strong, or flexible enough in the related muscles, ligaments and tendons of the golf swing. One reason is that the aging process starts between the ages of 15 and 25, then accelerates rapidly as you get older. But there is a “Fountain of Youth”, and that fountain is exercise.” Bertholy concluded: “ A daily exercise program is an excellent idea, so why not do an exercise program that also builds a fine golf swing?” In the West, Bertholy’s physical approach to golf fitness included isotonics, isometrics, weights and muscle memory. And its been successfully employed by hundreds of thousands of aspiring golfers over the past 80 years.
In the East, the energetic approach for health, fitness, rejuvenation, longevity and enlightenment – — via yoga, martial arts and mediation — has been used successfully for thousands of years. The alchemical process of being ‘Born Again’ and “Returning to Youth” — which the Chinese refer to as Huan Tung — involves a total approach to golf practice. These ancient energetic arts are ideal for golfers because they enhance strength, elasticity, balance, agility, speed, stamina, performance, and awaken primordial powers (the Zone) These arts — which can uplift, refine, and transform your swing, game, and life for the better — may be one of the most important things you ever learn.
