Golf programs to help you relax
Russ Christ
Special for the Scottsdale Republic
Apr. 27, 2007 02:05 PM
Golfers come in a variety of shapes and sizes - and with a variety of needs.
That's why several Northeast Valley resorts and businesses are offering innovative, golf-specific programs to help people relax, get in shape, relieve stress, decrease pain, and help improve their golf game.
The Phoenician aims to help golfers avoid tunnel vision on the fairway this summer with the resort's "Golf Visualization" experience.
According to Valerie Poulos, director of public relations and marketing communications, a new golf meditation service helps golfers "increase focus and improve skills through guided meditation, while reducing stress."
Guests receive suggestions specifically tailored to their needs as they are being guided into a deep state of relaxation. Those who take part in the unique treatment will accompany the resident meditation consultant for a personalized visualization session on the course. The idea is to improve their mental game by envisioning the hole and how to play it.
Meanwhile, the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North combines the golf and spa experience by offering a golf specialty massage of its own. The treatment incorporates stretching and therapeutic techniques to reduce stress and tension in the muscles. Heated golf balls are rolled across the spine and down the neck to remove tightness in the back.
According to Kim Cole, director of public relations at the resort, the massage incorporates a unique blend of six different massage modalities, including Shiatsu, Lomi Lomi, Thai, and Reflexology, to reduce golf-related stiffness and tension. Lead therapist Steve Ellis, an avid golfer, created the message to address issues he thought weren't being offered by other therapies.
Golfers who are committed to getting better might consider a visit to the Neuromuscular Performance Institute near the TPC Scottsdale. Owner Paul Ruth offers a new program called "Swing Flex-Power Golf Therapy" that takes a total of 12 weeks (three four-week sessions; Body and Club; Strength and Conditioning; and Power and Distance). The therapy-based, integrated program is specifically designed to identify and release shortened and imbalanced muscular patterns within a golfer's body.
"Once patterns are released, dramatic increases in range of motion, rotation, and balance occur, thus improving power, distance, and accuracy," Ruth said.
Jeannie Gustafson, a member at Estancia Club in north Scottsdale, has tried the program.
"Paul literally only worked on my leg for 10 minutes, and it was the best I've ever hit the ball," she said. "I won our member/member tournament that weekend and only one week into the Swing Flex program I'm hitting the ball 50 yards farther.
"This is the best thing I have ever done for my golf game"
The Swing Flex program combines neuromuscular release therapy (NMR), assisted stretching, and functional stabilization training to achieve instant results, according to Ruth.
"In most cases, there's an increase of 15 to 40 degrees in swing rotation and range of motion, as well as a 50 to 80 percent decrease in pain levels with only 30 minutes of NMR therapy," Ruth said. Trial programs are available.
Like the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, the Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa also offers a signature golfers massage as an option for pre-game conditioning or post-game relaxation. It's designed to enhance performance by targeting specific muscle groups.
In addition, Judith Roer, a golf professional at the Boulders, teaches guests a class called "Fairway Fitness." It focuses on helping golfers with the core muscles needed for an effective swing. The goal, according to Roer, is increased stability, stamina and strength, resulting in more consistency and power with less exertion.
"Getting the nervous system and the muscles to respond, as required in the golf swing, is important," said Roer, who has a degree in golf biomechanics, kinesiology, and neuromuscular balance. "We call it functional fitness."
Dodie Mazzuca, an LPGA professional at the Boulders whose background is in golf instruction, teaches a class called Golf Yoga. Designed for all levels of golfers, Golf Yoga is supposed to enhance all facets of the game while increasing flexibility, strength, alignment and body awareness.
Russ Christ is a correspondent for the Scottsdale Republic.
More information:
- Neuromuscular Performance Institute: (480) 949-2415; www.npitherapy.com.
- The Phoenician: 1-(800)-888-8234; www.thephoenician.com.
- The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa: 1-(800)-553-1717; www.TheBoulders.com.
- The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale: 1-(888)-207-9696