Core Fitness Golf now available in Cape Region
January 4, 2008
Each New Year usually brings with it a set of resolutions, often revolving around weight loss and conditioning.
PGA Class A golf professional Mike Connor and Eric Reinhold of Southern Delaware Physical Therapy are trying to make it easier for Cape Region golfers to keep to those resolutions, while also improving their games.
The two teamed up to create Core Fitness Golf, which combines swing analysis and training with a fitness regiment geared for golfers.
Connor, a ten-year veteran now working at The Rookery Golf Course near Milton, became inspired by something Reinhold mentioned during Connor’s own physical therapy sessions. “I partially tore an ACL while playing basketball in the off-season, and David Jones recommended I see Eric. We met and talked about tying together golf routines and physical therapy, but didn’t do anything about it at the time.”
“Then I had some back troubles in September and October, and saw Eric. We talked again about the idea, and eventually came up with this combination.”
Enrollees in the program will go the Long Neck facility for Southern Delaware Physical Therapy. Some will begin with a 25-point evaluation by Reinhold to assess their current strength, flexibility, and balance, while others will start with Connor. Then they’ll switch instructors.
As Reinhold explained his role, “It’s a golf-specific program, and we’ll show them which ones work for them, and how they can do their exercises at home. They might need an exercise ball, or some of the exercise bands, but they won’t need a gym. There will be a lot of emphasis on core stability.”
When the enrollees meet with Connor, he will use a swing analysis program to assess their golf swings. “Once we have it recorded, we’ll spend 15 minutes or so going over which swing exercises and drills would help that particular player. After the evaluation, they’ll practice the drills and exercises for 15 minutes, and then they’ll go see Eric,” Connor said. “The whole session should last just over an hour.”
The two instructors are starting out with a maximum of two enrollees per class, with sessions scheduled January 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 9:00 and 9:15 a.m. The charge is $60 per class.
Connor said their plan is to use the single session as the base, with follow-up sessions set up individually to assess progress with their golf swings. “We’re making sure that the classes are geared to the individual golfer, and that the exercises we recommend are correct for his game. We know that flexibility is key, especially for seniors. If they’re more flexible, they’ll have a longer swing arc, and be better balanced. They’ll make better contact every time.”
Reinhold said their programs should help novice, weekend warriors, and scratch golfers. Referring to his experience at the professional, college, and high school levels, the Hahneman University graduate said, “We’ll show golfers how to work your body in ways that will definitely help your game.”
For more information, call Connor at 302-684-3000.
Cross Country Golf Tourney
The Rookery is bringing back an old favorite of wintertime golf, when courses try to stir up interest in playing the game despite less than optimal conditions.
On January 27, the Milton area public layout plans to hold a cross-country tournament, in which 9 holes are specially set up for the two-player, better-ball format. Golfers will find themselves on familiar ground but with unfamiliar holes, such as trying for the 18th green from the forward tee of the 9th hole. That’s almost entirely over water, and should make for a challenging par 3.
The $25 tournament fee pays for the round, the cart, and prizes, and begins with a noon shotgun start. For more information, call The Rookery at 302-684-3000.