A significantly improved fitness has been the key to success for many professional golfers in recent years. Ever since Tiger Woods has conquered the world of golf, a comprehensive golf workout is part of every serious golfer’s daily routine. It is not only the young guys like Anthony Kim, Camillo Villegas or Sergio Garcia but also older players like Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington or – last, but definitely not least – Vijay Singh who are following a strict golf workout regimen to improve their flexibility and strength. It helps them to hit the ball further, improve their accuracy and avoid fatigue and injuries.

The most important lesson for amateur golfers should be that fitness is crucial for every player, regardless of their skill level. While being in good shape is absolutely indispensable for the pros on the PGA Tour, a good golf workout might be the easiest way for amateur golfers to improve quickly and noticeable.

Most of us do not have the time for a daily golf workout and if there is time for golf, we rather spend it on the range or the course than in the gym. Hence it is crucial to work out efficiently and without losing motivation after a short period of time.

I was therefore immediately excited when a friend pointed me to the website of iTrain.com. It is a company founded by a fitness expert in the Hollywood training industry and an entertainment industry executive. They have developed a fitness programm that allows users to download their personalized golf workout onto any MP3 player.

iTrain for Golf Price: $39,99 Get 10% off with promotion code TRAIN10

The ultimate virtual personal-training tool Highly motivating audio golf workout Specifically designed to improve endurance, strength and flexibility on the golf course Concentrates on training the most important “golf muscles” Combines high energy music and voice over of celebrity fitness trainers Your personal trainer on the go!

The iTrain.com golf workout is designed to develop the endurance, strength, and flexibility needed for peak performance on the golf course. It does include MP3 workouts as well as a full video (40 min – see screenshots) with various exercises for the most important “golf muscles” (lower back, abs, shoulders, harmstrings/thighs). iTrain for Golf does cost $39,99 but that seemed like a bargain compared to all the money I keep on investing in range balls, lessons, equipment etc. 

Even though the next round of golf might seem like a million years away in the cold of early January, now is definitely the best time to start. So here is my new year’s resolution: I am sure that if I can dedicate myself to this new golf workout for only two hours per week, I will be in much better shape for the start of the 2009 season.

Of course I will keep you posted on my (lack of) success with the iTrain for Golf workout – please use the comment function to let me know how you use the winter months to shape up for the new golf season.

The Stack and Tilt golf swing was first heard of in early 2007 when professional golfers like Australia’s Aaron Baddeley or former Masters Champion Mike Weir (Canada) started to use it. In the meantime, more than 20 other touring professionals have used the Stack and Tilt swing to (re-)boost their careers. The new approach was developed after 20 years of research by swing teachers Andy Plummer and Mike Bennet. A fundamental element of a conventional golf swing is the weight shift to the right foot (for a right-handed player) during the backswing and to the left foot during the downswing. With the Stack and Tilt method, a player will set up with at least 60 per cent of his weight on his front foot. During the swing, the left shoulder will move down instead of laterally and even more weight will be put on the front foot resulting in an 80/20 weight distribution at the top of the backswing.

The benefit of the Stack and Tilt obviously is the lack of weight shift and in consequence less body movement than with a traditional motion. The spine stays vertical over the ball through the whole swing. According to Plummer and Bennet, this enables the player to achieve a more solid contact with the ball, a more penetrating ball flight and better consistency.
Of course there is also a potential downside of the Stack and Tilt methodology for the average player: When you already lean too much on your front foot and have a hard time coming from the inside (i.e. you are probably fighting a slice or a pull), the Stack and Tilt will most likely only worsen your problems.

Stack and Tilt: Success Stories
Here are some of the PGA Tour Pros who are successfully using the Stack and Tilt swing:

Mike Weir
Aaron Baddeley
Dean Wilson
Tommy Armour III
Eric Axley
Charlie Wie
Will MacKenzie

Check out the swing of left-handed golfer Eric Axley in this video:

 
Stack and Tilt Instruction Material:
While doing some research on the web I found a DVD series called “Get stacked”. I haven’t had a chance to try it myself yet but it does sound promising:

“Get Stacked” DVD Series Price: $19,95 risk free for 30 days Free shipping and handling Delivery within 24 hours

INCLUDES Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer’s Short Game DVD as a FREE BONUS Improves Swing Plane, Grip, Posture, Alignment, Ball position, Tempo Comprehensive and organized - making it easy to follow Gives step-by-step direction Shows the fundamentals of the Stack & Tilt swing Includes in-depth analysis, including Setup Backswing Downswing Follow-thru Analyzing your shots: Slice Hook Fat shots Thin shots Practice drills

In case you are not into visual instruction, you might want to take a look at this great GolfDigest article and photo series.

If anyone of you guys has ever tried the Stack and Tilt or knows the “Get stacked” DVDs, please use the comment function to tell me about it. Has it worked only for a couple of days (like so many swing changes) or are you enjoying permanent success with the Stack and Tilt? Does it only help with your short irons and wedges (where more weight is put on the left side anyway) or are you also hitting better drives than before? I am looking forward to hopefully many comments.