Any boxers here?
- Thread starter curtisj76
- Start date
- Status
Martial Arts and Golf
I've trained in a variety of martial arts for over 30 years. I've done Shotokan karate for the last 25 and have run the karate program at the college where I work since 1992.
I started back playing golf about 6 years ago, having played in high school. I thought all my karate training would translate easily into the golf swing.
Wrong! Although I'm in really good shape from training, the timing of a good reverse punch is different enough (at least for me) from the golf swing to create more problems than similarities.
The other problem with starting any type of combative sport is injury. If you start training, accept the fact that you will twist you ankle, sprain your wrist, hyperextend a joint or break a finger at some, or many points, along the line.
Many of the mental aspects of martial arts training will help your golf game, but for pure strength and explosive power, I'd go with plyometrics and weight training - which I also do as part of my overall workout.
I've trained in a variety of martial arts for over 30 years. I've done Shotokan karate for the last 25 and have run the karate program at the college where I work since 1992.
I started back playing golf about 6 years ago, having played in high school. I thought all my karate training would translate easily into the golf swing.
Wrong! Although I'm in really good shape from training, the timing of a good reverse punch is different enough (at least for me) from the golf swing to create more problems than similarities.
The other problem with starting any type of combative sport is injury. If you start training, accept the fact that you will twist you ankle, sprain your wrist, hyperextend a joint or break a finger at some, or many points, along the line.
Many of the mental aspects of martial arts training will help your golf game, but for pure strength and explosive power, I'd go with plyometrics and weight training - which I also do as part of my overall workout.
I have done various martial arts... kickboxing... boxing... judo... brazilian jiu jitsu... The effects on my game was really none. Other than I was sore and didn't have time to play because I was doing the Martial Arts thing everyday. I honestly would recommend the P90X workout dvds if you are at reasonable level of fitness. It has stretching, cardo, and strength building in the program. If I was picking only a martial art to workout in for hopes of building fitness I would pick (1) MMA (2) Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Judo (3) Muay Thai. IMO those will give you the best workouts and most functional.
tennisdu
New
I say try tennis, you get to use lots of the same muscles as in golf and gets you in very good shape.
Stronger wrist, improved core muscles, added flexibility (if you strecth proeprly before and after playing as you should), etc.
Maybe its one reason why tennis players usually make pretty decent golfers!
Stronger wrist, improved core muscles, added flexibility (if you strecth proeprly before and after playing as you should), etc.
Maybe its one reason why tennis players usually make pretty decent golfers!
Richie3Jack
New
Boxing won't help you with golf. I took boxing as a kid and I'm glad I did. It helps teach you footwork, endurance and how to throw, take and duck a punch while being a humbling experience. Great for children to learn.
I'd say do yourself a favor and start taking up yoga. I would then work on things to strengthen your lower body (i.e. squats) and your hands, wrists and triceps. Still, I feel flexibility is twice as important (if not more) than pure strength. I don't think there's any real need to get buffed like Tiger. So whatever you do, make sure you're flexible.
I would consider doing something else than running. I used to date a girl who ran cross country, indoor track and outdoor track since she was 12 years old and then ran outdoor track in college and the running did significant damage to her feet and knees over time. Then my father took up jogging every day about 15 years ago and did damage to his knees as well. There's many that say that you just need to learn the proper running technique to prevent injury, but many don't know what that proper technique is (I don't).
Anyway, there's other ways to lose body fat, improve cardio and improve your lower body strength without doing damage to your feet and knees. But again, I think the key is flexibility first, then strength in certain areas (lower arms area, lower body)
3JACK
I'd say do yourself a favor and start taking up yoga. I would then work on things to strengthen your lower body (i.e. squats) and your hands, wrists and triceps. Still, I feel flexibility is twice as important (if not more) than pure strength. I don't think there's any real need to get buffed like Tiger. So whatever you do, make sure you're flexible.
I would consider doing something else than running. I used to date a girl who ran cross country, indoor track and outdoor track since she was 12 years old and then ran outdoor track in college and the running did significant damage to her feet and knees over time. Then my father took up jogging every day about 15 years ago and did damage to his knees as well. There's many that say that you just need to learn the proper running technique to prevent injury, but many don't know what that proper technique is (I don't).
Anyway, there's other ways to lose body fat, improve cardio and improve your lower body strength without doing damage to your feet and knees. But again, I think the key is flexibility first, then strength in certain areas (lower arms area, lower body)
3JACK
Bronco Billy
New member
Recumbent Cycling.....
thefuture37
Banned
cardio is boring. doesnt do much for golf after awhile either. if you can walk 18 holes carrying your own bag, cardio wont help much.
Jim Kobylinski
Super Moderator
I disagree with this statement; u r assuming that just because someone can carry their bag 18 holes they carry it with the same strength/stride at hole 1 that they do at hole 18. The better in shape you are the better your entire round will be.
vjsinger
New
I think Slowhand is correct, anything with Plyometrics in it is good for explosive training. Mark Verstegen at Athletes Performance has some good videos and Books you can check out. If you want sports that will help with get your legs and body in shape I would say Full Court Basketball is a good choice along with tennis. Basketball for explosive leg power, jumping for rebounding and shooting and tennis gives you some rotaional work, or you could just pound golf balls
I'm surprised by how many martial artists here don't think training has affected their game. I practice Wing Chun (sticky hands) Kung Fu and the training has made an obvious and lasting impact on my golf swing. Martial arts training (no matter which form you practice) is all about core strengthening and balance. Also, learning to throw a properly sequenced and powerful punch (or any other technique) is in my opinion EXACTLY like learning the full swing. My Sifu's number one and two rules for power are as follows:
1. complete relaxation, so the muscles are prepared to move in an instant
2. strong roots, so the core (he calls it the center) has a solid pedestal to maintain balance.
I do at least a ten minutes of Tai Chi (8 or 21 form) per day. Again, this is for balance and relaxation.
I'd say the only muscles that don't need to be well developed in golf are the biceps and triceps. Everything else, especially the legs, abs, and forearms, must be as strong as possible. Martial arts are a fantastic, fun way of achieving balance and strength.
1. complete relaxation, so the muscles are prepared to move in an instant
2. strong roots, so the core (he calls it the center) has a solid pedestal to maintain balance.
I do at least a ten minutes of Tai Chi (8 or 21 form) per day. Again, this is for balance and relaxation.
I'd say the only muscles that don't need to be well developed in golf are the biceps and triceps. Everything else, especially the legs, abs, and forearms, must be as strong as possible. Martial arts are a fantastic, fun way of achieving balance and strength.
Last edited:
curtisj76
New
I was surprised as well. I would think boxing wouldn't be much different either. It's all about trying to generate as much energy from not much movement.
self-mastery
New
My cycling consists of climbing the 3 hills in my neighborhood OVER and Over again. It's a mix of anaerobic and aerobic exercise. Last summer all I did was squat 2 days/ week, and did intervals on the huge hill that leads out of my 'hood. I lost 30lbs, and turned my legs into tree trunks.
Interval training is the best way to get in shape.
Distance athletes never look sexy! NEVER
Compare the bodies of sprinters and distance runners.
yucky--boxy--man hips.
Sprinters always look better.... way better.
Last edited:
thefuture37
Banned
i would bet that BB isn't doing any climbs on his contraption
i will ammend my previous statement for what i assumed originally.
after you can walk 18 holes carrying your own bag, and not be tired at the end of 18 holes(not that difficult really), cardio will do very little for your game.
self-mastery
New
BB doesn't own that lwb 'bent that he posted. He has a tadpole recumbent. Recumbents are awesome- You get to avoid saddle pain, back pain. neck pain, and the risk of impotence. Bent's are worse at climbing than road bikes, but all of the bicycle speed records are held by 'bents.... There's a reason why they are banned from almost all cycle events...
SM= hill climbing warrior.
Bronco Billy
New member
How Do You Know All This....
You are Exactly Right as Usual... Except for Your Obsession with Beans.... EveryDay I Ride My Nautilus Stationary Recumbent Bike in bad Weather and an Hour a Day on my Contraption in Good Weather... Recumbents Build Leg and Stomach Muscles(The Core) much more than Traditional(UpWrong) Cycling..... I've been on the Fad Diet(Atkins) since 2000 and been 190 Lbs or under for 2 Years since I Quit the Coors Lite(Case a Day)..... And I will Own the Pictured Recumbent Bike in May when it is in Production..... Have a Great Day....
Ps. Also I am Never Hungary.....
You are Exactly Right as Usual... Except for Your Obsession with Beans.... EveryDay I Ride My Nautilus Stationary Recumbent Bike in bad Weather and an Hour a Day on my Contraption in Good Weather... Recumbents Build Leg and Stomach Muscles(The Core) much more than Traditional(UpWrong) Cycling..... I've been on the Fad Diet(Atkins) since 2000 and been 190 Lbs or under for 2 Years since I Quit the Coors Lite(Case a Day)..... And I will Own the Pictured Recumbent Bike in May when it is in Production..... Have a Great Day....
Ps. Also I am Never Hungary.....
Last edited:
birdie_man
New
Nice pictures! Hahaha...
I've been wanting to tap into my Viking powers for a while with some martial arts.
For now I will just say GSP GSP GSP GSP...!
Who needs atom bombs GSP can just defend Canada.
I've been wanting to tap into my Viking powers for a while with some martial arts.
For now I will just say GSP GSP GSP GSP...!
Who needs atom bombs GSP can just defend Canada.
self-mastery
New
birdie_man
New
I'll show you SM!
And.....I am gonna grow out of my allergies anyway.
I have been visualizing!
...
...
And.....I am gonna grow out of my allergies anyway.
I have been visualizing!
...
...
- Status