Columnist Victoria Sun: Custom-made program helps golfers improve fitness level

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2001 | 1:57 a.m.

Victoria Sun's golf column appears Wednesday. Reach her at 259-4078 or by e-mail at victoria@lasvegassun.com.

The days of the fat and out of shape golfer are thankfully and slowly coming to an end.

That is the edict for golfers who really want to be serious about their game.

PGA Tour professionals Tiger Woods, David Duval and Ernie Els are just a handful of players who have realized that if you want to win, you've got to be in good physical condition.

That means no more lighting up in between strokes and no more polishing off a six-pack during a round. I can't think of many other sports where it's socially acceptable to smoke and drink liquor while you're playing, even if it is for fun.

There's more to being an excellent golfer.

"You need a conditioning program, a cardiovascular workout, especially if you carry your own bag," golf fitness expert Dr. Robert Braden said. "There was a study on caloric expenditure done on riding in a cart versus carrying your bag.

"It was significant so if you're going to do that, you've definitely got to be in good shape."

Recognizing that golf is much more physically demanding on the body than most people realize, Braden formulated a program called Golfshape.

Golfshape helps golfers with their balance, coordination, flexibility and strength, incorporating Pilates (a workout developed by a German fitness guru with an emphasis on stretching and strengthening muscles) machines.

Braden, the founder of Elite Sports Enhancement Training, has worked with the UNLV women's track team and the Las Vegas Stars.

He started the program after he discovered that individual golfers weren't training their bodies properly for golf, resulting in nagging injuries and mediocre performances.

"Most guys who play golf were athletes at one time and they didn't want to train to play golf," Braden said. "They've been playing and working out all their life and now they just want to go out and golf.

"The problem is, the nature and physiology of the sport says you have to get in shape. The golf swing is not a natural movement for your back. The more you play, the more swings you take, there are more instances of your body to break down."

Michael Kling, a four-handicapper, began working with Braden about a month ago at the suggestion of a friend.

"I've always had friends tell me that I was going to tear up my back because I had no shoulder or hip turn," Kling said. "I was creating all the torque with my back.

"Now I'm noticing more of shoulder turn, my hips are coming through the ball so it's easier on the back. I think it's a direct correlation to being more flexible and for me, understanding the swing a little bit better."

Kling spent an hour with Braden on Tuesday afternoon using different machines to help his flexibility and golf swing.

One of the biggest problems of male golfers is they don't have the flexibility of most women, Braden said. He recommends women enrolling in the Golfshape program to improve their strength and for the men to get more flexible.

"When you're more flexible, you can make a more efficient turn, which is a big component for your swing," Braden said. "If you have an efficient turn, you don't have to maintain your swing as much."

For individual workouts, Braden charges $450 for six visits and $800 for two one-hour sessions for each of six weeks.