When it comes to golf conditioning, Ralph Simpson wrote the book.
Literally.
Simpson, a Whitefish physical therapist, recently released “Complete Conditioning for Golf,” a book and DVD that he says will help golfers at all levels — not just the ones on the PGA tour that he formerly practiced with.
The book includes techniques and training regimens that help golfers in two ways: by improving the muscle memory of the muscles that relate to the golf swing; and by giving you exercises to strengthen your core muscles for golf.
Simpson, a native of Big Sandy, Mont., wrote the book with Pete Draovitch, a personal trainer and physical therapist to PGA player Greg Norman.
The book, Simpson says, is a “good compilation of general fitness concepts as they relate to golf.” It’s written for the fitness professional as well as the individual golfer.
Simpson works off the concept that muscle memory is the fastest way to achieving faster clubhead speed in golf. Then he backs up the motor-conditioning aspect of training by adding strength exercises to his regimen. How does that relate to your game?
Well, a better weight shift and transfer during your swing can give you 15 percent more clubhead speed. “That’s a huge change, and it’s immediate, with no strength training,” Simpson said. But without strength training, “You won’t be able to make it 18 holes,” he said.
Accompanying the book is a 75-minute DVD that takes you onto the course and into the gym to demonstrate the exercises that the two writers put in the book.
Simpson is a strength and conditioning specialist and spent 12 years traveling on the PGA Tour providing care to PGA Tour and Champions Tour players. Simpson owns Manual Orthopaedic and Sports Therapy in Whitefish. He’s a 1983 graduate of the University of Montana.
The book, “Complete Conditioning for Golf” is available online at www.humankinetics.com.