Study Shows Massage Before Golf Improves Performance

by Sean Saunders

There were some exciting things happening at Swing Right Golf Learning facility this past month. Michael Detwiler and Stephanie Lansdown from Neuromuscular Clinic who are licensed massage therapists were conducting a golf study on treating the rotation range of motion of the spine and its effect on the golf swing. Their results from the study were impressive. After a 10-15 minute precision neuromuscular treatment, golf swing speeds increased an average of 4.34 miles per hour. The average pre-treatment initial swing speed of participants was 85.34 MPH and the average post-treatment swing speed was 89.68 MPH. Some people increased their swing speed up to 15-20 mph. This was due to treating the parts of the body that restrict the turn in the golf swing.

I participated in the study and was surprised my results. On average, I increased my swing speed by 5 MPH and my range of motion by 4 degrees, which meant I consistently drove the golf ball 10 yards farther after I was treated. This study showed me how beneficial it is to stretch and get your muscles warmed up before playing golf and the benefits of massage to help your range of motion. I try to educate my students on the importance of warming up and doing some stretching before playing in order to start their round of golf out better. It is good for a golfer’s psychology to play better early on rather than start out with a bad hole because they didn’t take the time to warm up. In golf, every stroke adds up and one bad shot can determine the outcome of a round of golf. For a tournament player, it is the difference between placing and missing the cut.

If you are interested in participating or would like to know more about the golf study or NMT services, please contact Michael or Stephanie at nmtclinic@pmtc.edu. You can also visit the neuromuscular clinic at 902 W. Battlefield in Springfield, MO.

Staying "On Course"

by Sean Saunders

This week, I had the opportunity do a playing lesson. I was on the move to Deer Lake Golf course. Playing lessons are my favorite because I get to spend more time with the student and it really lets me know what is going on in their golf game. Playing a round of golf and hitting range balls are two different things. I’ve worked with a lot of golfers who hit the ball great on the driving range and then they get bad thoughts going on the golf course and play poorly. I try to get my students to play like they practice and practice like they play. It is important to have a pre-shot routine and to focus on the process of hitting a good golf shot rather than focusing on the result. As soon as my students start thinking about not hitting the ball in the water hazard or out of bounds, that is when they tighten up and make bad golf swings resulting in exactly what they didn’t want to do in the first place.

Playing lessons also allow me to teach a lesson that goes beyond the golf course. Golf teaches you about life lessons. I can learn a lot about someone by just playing a round of golf with them. For example, a student’s true colors come out when playing a round of golf with them such as cheating, losing their temper over a bad shot, their personality type by watching the tempo of their golf swing, and how they manage the golf course and the decisions they make. I can tell if my student is a risk taker depending on what club they use in certain situations. I can also tell if the student has integrity because they follow the rules. Golf is the only game where the player makes the decision on what the ruling is and whether they play by the rules. I’ve had to teach many of my students about etiquette and what you are supposed to do if you hit the ball out of bounds or in a water hazard. I don’t expect my student to know all of the rules, but my students that are planning on playing in tournaments and they need to know the rules, I try to keep them informed on how to look up rules in the USGA rules book.

A goal I set for each one of my students is to help them improve their game and have fun playing golf, but I also want them to explore for themselves the greater lessons learned from this great game. “The Mulligan” written by Wally Armstrong and Ken Blanchard is a book I recommend reading that hits on the life lessons learned from the game and the Old Pro. This book reminds me to try and keep balance and not let work and results control my life. It is a constant struggle as a Golf Professional during the golf season to maintain balance. I want to continually push forward and see my business grow into something great, but I also can’t lose focus of my personal and family life. I am a Type “A” personality who sets goals and tries to achieve those goals as soon as possible and making sacrifices if needed. I am also expecting my first child any day now and I know she is going to change my outlook on life forever. I know that if I am going to be successful in my career, I need to prioritize my goals and make sure spiritual and family goals came first. If I can’t reach my spiritual and family goals, I’m not going to be happy and that will keep me from being successful.

Giving Back

by Sean Saunders

I was on the move this week working with Phys. Ed. programs at two private schools in Springfield. It reminded me of why I love my profession and enjoy helping the youth. The best reward of being a PGA Professional is teaching a game to juniors that soak up the information you give them and gain an interest in golf. The classes I helped teach were only 30 to 45 minutes long so I was only able to teach the students the basics, such as grip, aim, set-up, and the difference between the baseball/softball swing and the golf swing. Going to the schools and getting to know the students is an effective way to promote Swing Right. Many of the students don’t want to play on a golf course yet, but they enjoy playing a round of miniature golf or hitting balls on our driving range. Swing Right offers the youth a fun place to learn and enjoy different areas of golf with their family.

I also want to get the youth involved in a game they can enjoy playing for the rest of their lives and possibly receive a college scholarship. I was fortunate to work with the state champion in Iowa and see him go to college on a golf scholarship. He was a sponge and worked diligently on the techniques and mental approaches to the game. It gave me confidence to know my teaching philosophy and style helped him excel.

Many kids aren’t introduced to golf because it is expensive to play or they just don’t get the opportunity to play so they pick up another sport that is more convenient. I haven’t touched a basketball, baseball, or football since college when I played intramurals because they are team sports and you have to get everyone together to play. With golf, all I have to do is fire up the simulators at Swing Right and play a quick nine at Pebble Beach or Torrey Pines. I don’t have to worry about not being able to walk because I blew out my knee from trying to fake out my buddy on the basketball court. I love sports as much as the next guy, but I like getting out of bed without feeling like I got in a fight. I also see the majority of our youth spending the majority of their time on the computer or playing video games. Educating parents to invest in golf for their kids is a great way to help their children be more active and not get hurt like in other physical sports. Carrying your clubs for a round of golf is a workout. It is also a lot of fun being outside and enjoying the outdoors. An organization called the First Tee helps inner city youth get the opportunity to learn how to play golf and also teaches them about life lessons. A website that would be of interest to youth in southwest Missouri that would benefit from the First tee is http://www.thefirsttee.org/club/scripts/section/section.asp?NS=FL.

Introduction: Sean Saunders - Golf Instructor "On the Move"

by Sean Saunders

My name is Sean Saunders and I’m the Manager / Golf Instructor at Swing Right Golf Learning Facility. I also own a teaching business called SWS GOLF, LLC. I have had the opportunity to work at many different golf facilities such as private country clubs, resorts, golf stores, and driving ranges. I have also been fortunate to learn from some of the top Golf / Teaching Professionals in the country. I have seen the best and worst parts of being a PGA Professional. My goal for writing these articles is to educate the general public about golf and the life of a PGA Professional. I want to give insight on my life in balancing my teaching business, managing Swing Right, and starting a new family all while having fun in the process.

I started my golf career at Sioux City Country Club. I worked for a Master PGA Professional, Mitch Merrill. Mitch taught me many valuable lessons. I started as a bag room attendant and worked my way through the ranks to become an Assistant Golf Professional. The most valuable lesson I learned from Mitch is to write everything down. I learned quickly that when multi tasking it is important to make a to-do list and notes throughout the day. When answering the phones, taking tee times, receiving inventory, club repair, teaching lessons, delegating tasks to bag attendants, developing junior golf programs, organizing merchandise, and getting ready for the next big tournament or outing, it is easy to get overwhelmed and miss an important task that needs to be done. Not a lot of people realize how much work and responsibilities there are for a PGA Professional.

The Professional Golfer’s Association of America (PGA) is the largest golf organization in the world and has set the standard for being mentors of the game. The mission of the PGA is to grow the game through professional instruction and management. A PGA Professional is not a Tour Professional like Tiger Woods. A PGA Professional manages a PGA golf facility such as a driving range, learning facility, golf store, golf course, or country club. A golf facility becomes PGA Recognized based on a number of factors such as size, location and business plan. In order to become a PGA Professional, you have to pass a 36 hole playing ability test, three checkpoints (tests), give a presentation to the education staff, interview with a professional portfolio, and have 36 credits (months) of work experience at a PGA Recognized Facility. I am planning on taking my 3rd checkpoint and finish my work experience credits in November. It takes dedication, determination, and good study habits to pass the PGA Professional Golf Management program.

Becoming a PGA Professional has been a goal of mine since I started working in the golf industry nine years ago. It is similar to receiving your master’s degree in the golf business. I have a new found respect for PGA Professionals because they are a select few. The majority of PGA Professionals work 50-60 hour weeks during the season and rarely get the chance to play unless it is a playing lesson or Section tournament. They are dedicated to their profession. The PGA Professionals that stay in the industry do it because they are passionate about golf and enjoy helping others learn and improve their game. There are many sacrifices that are made, but their also many opportunities and benefits of being a PGA member. They are similar to the sacrifices, opportunities and benefits of anyone who is “on the move”!