Golf is Healthy

Golf=Healthy

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away!” – For years that shiny, red apple has kept Americans away from millions of doctors. With the nation’s constant increase in obesity and heart problems, scientists are studying other effective ways to live longer, healthier lives. Ever wonder how those PGA Tour champs have the energy to walk all those rounds of golf? Sure, they indulge in complete fitness programs way too advanced for the Average Joe and probably maintain an incredibly strict diet. Well folks…according to a study conducted by researchers at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute , playing the game of golf can increase a person’s life expectancy about 5 years. Don’t believe it? Look around the next time you are on the golf course and there seems to be an overwhelming number of seniors with more energy than some of those junior players out there!

This study, composed of 500,000 golfers, reviewed the reduced mortality rates of golfers compared to non-golfers [1] . So, exactly what is it about golf that increases YOUR life expectancy? For starters, according to the study, the lowest death rates came from those with lower handicaps. “Maintaining a low handicap involves playing a lot, so this supports the idea that it is the game itself that is good for the health”, says Anders Ahlbom, co-author of the study. The study suggests that along with the physical advantages, the positive social and psychological aspects of golf are of assistance in promoting a healthier, happier lifestyle. Being on a golf course, for many that play the game, is an exhilarating opportunity to forget about the world and your place in it. For 9 or 18-holes, 1– 4 hours, or even just practicing, the golfer is permitted to release inhibitions and go for what they know… THE GREEN!!! The simple rules of no cell phones and silence, alone, create an awesome opportunity for golfers to enjoy the camaraderie that exists within the sport. From friendly hole-by-hole bets to Country Club tournament play, whether you are a novice or an expert, it is possible to find your place and make your mark in this amazing sport we call GOLF!!!

WellWorX members already know that you can get those amazing results with one of our individualized sports specific personal training programs. Just ask anyone who has been there about the aerobic benefits of our Cardio Equipment and the Strength Training in our Fitness Floor. With the Holidays having full effect you can shed some of those extra pounds, gain some strength and stamina, or just simply hit the ball further.

*Study found in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports *Article found in Golf World magazine; June 6, 2008 (pp.16)

Mike Hill

General Manager, WellWorX Sporting Clubs

Fisher Putters at Golf Academy of Memphis

We can all agree on the importance of a fine tuned short game to lower scores.  Regardless of individual putting style, advancements in equipment can assist you in improved putting statistics.  Fisher Putters (www.fishergolf.com) currently holds nine (9) separate patents and created significant innovation in the area of Advanced Polymer Insert technology.  Many of the major original equipment manufacturer's (OEMs) utilize the technology created by Fisher Golf -- Odyssey and Callaway are examples.  Fisher putters are tour proven -- utilized by touring professionals in competition on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour.  Replaceable Face Plate (RFP) technology establishes four (4) separate speed options for each putter.  When course conditions and locations change, you can change the face insert to adjust accordingly.  Some putters on the market use lighter or heavier weight screws to make these changes.  The problem is the putter feels different in your hands -- compensations can result.  Changing the face keeps the feel and weight of the putter the same -- no need for compensations.  There are six different Talon series models available with RFP technology.    In the Classic Tour series, there are 7 separate models to choose from and select your single favorite face insert.  The Burgundy insert is a favorite all-purpose insert for all green speeds.  Experiment with the different faces and find the best suited for your game.  The difference in these putters vs. most putters comes down to basic science -- interaction between the golf ball and the putter face.  With a metal faced putter, the dimples on the surface of the golf ball interact inconsistently with the hard face.  With the advanced polymers from Fisher, the ball spends more than twice the time on the face compared to a metal putter and actually absorbs into the material!  This limits skidding, under-spin, and inconsistent initial tracking along the target line.  The result is a consistent, smooth, and true roll on target to the hole.  You'll be blown away by the difference!  The extensive line of putter offerings through Fisher Golf are available now exclusively at the Golf Academy of Memphis.  Contact us for a no obligation demonstration of the Fisher models to upgrade your putting performance!  Fisher Putters are Made in the USA!

Bill Burke

Golf Club Design

The latest step in golf club design

For years, golf club designers and engineers have focused on three primary characteristics of a club. How does it look, how does it feel and how does it perform. Obviously with the wide variety of clubs on the market today, we see that some designs tried to balance each characteristic to optimize the appeal of a club, while some have completely neglected asthetics and feel for the sake of performance. Mizuno has recently implemented the process of modal analysis, to optimize the balance between these three characteristics as well as how a club SOUNDS. This has long been overlooked, but it arguably as important as anything else in terms of a player's perception of a club. Why do people not like square drivers? Certainly not because they are longer or straighter, but because they sound funny. The sound a club makes at impact obviously has a tremendous influence on one's perception of impact.
The latest design offerings from Mizuno combine the best of all four aspects of club design in various models to fit the needs of various skill levels.
Come in and try the latest in technology from Mizuno. Including the JPX 800 series, which features the thinnest iron face in golf. Thinner faces means greater distance!

Golf Academy of Memphis - 901.372.4870

Putting for Dough!

A properly fitted putter can make scoring much simpler and avoid need for complex and inconsistent compensations. Too many players spend their valuable practice time trying to develop an artificial stroke to compensate for a putter that does not fit, rather than practicing consistency in a stroke with a putter that fit what they do. For example, the u of putter length and lie angle may dictate a player’s distance from the ball. Your distance from the ball is important because it is essential to have our eyes over the line of the putt at address (our eyes are behind the ball, but over the line). This condition greatly influences our ability to aim the face and the shape of our stroke. Additionally, the lie angle of the putter must be such that the putter head sits flat on the ground at address.  If the putter is not soled properly, the sweet spot of the putter is not in the center of the putter. For example, if a player has the toe of the putter of the ground, the sweet spot moves toward the heel. Obviously, now if a player makes a good stroke and hits the center of the face, the ball will behave as though it were hit off the toe. The ball starts left of the intended line and has insufficient speed. This player will then begin to compensate with both alignment and length of stroke.

November is putter month at the Golf Academy of Memphis. Come in and we can fit you in 30 minutes. We can make your current putter fit you better or put you in a new one. 30 minutes could greatly improve your putting and improve your ability to score. 

Contact Charlie Long at 901.372.4870.

Grooving at the Golf Academy of Memphis

As you may know the USGA has banned square grooved wedges for PGA Tour play and for their competitions. However, this does not affect amateurs at the club level until 2024. Although amateurs may continue to use square grooves for 14 more years, they will not be manufactured after 2010.

It is obviously in the best interest of the amateur to utilize the square groove technology based on increased spin rates in all conditions, which produces better ball control.

Since it is important to retool before square grooves go out of production, we are offering this special to ensure that the wedges you purchase are correct for you.

Our fitting process will determine the correct lofts to fit your set, lie angles to fit your swing and bounce to match your most frequently encountered turf and sand conditions.

In addition to the fitting, we will also offer 10% off the purchase price of your new wedges, should you purchase the through the academy.

Remember, at only moderate use, wedges significantly lose effectiveness, so you may want to consider purchasing a couple of sets of wedges. Don't be the guy playing v grooves until you have to!

For more info, contact Charlie Long at the Golf Academy of Memphis  901-372-4870