Coach Carrie Forsyth disagrees with the stereotype that golfers are not athletic. She says that the modern golfer has to be physically strong while maintaining balance and flexibility.
“Our sport has really evolved,” Forsyth said. “Working out in golf has become more of a priority. Now, if you look at the best golfers in the world ““ Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam ““ they are super fit.”
She says that walking about five miles and carrying a 40-pound golf bag further adds to the physical demands of golf.
“Golf is a fine motor skill,” Forsyth said. “The swing itself ““ a lot goes into it.”
The conclusion of the Collegiate Match Play Championship in which the second-ranked UCLA women’s golf team placed fifth in early November marked the beginning of the team’s “break.” The National Golf Coaches Association hosted the three-day tournament at the Ginn Resort in Orlando, Fla.
Even though they have not been playing in any tournaments, the Bruins used this time to do strength and conditioning workouts. John Farr, who designed the team’s fitness program, issued strength, speed and endurance tests as well as a workout program before the holiday break. When practice begins again this week, the team will take these tests once more to record the Bruins’ progress.
“All the girls were in much better condition than they were at the start of this quarter,” Forsyth said.
On their workout agenda, the golfers focus on core conditioning and leg strengthening.
“They use weights to work on their upper bodies and bands in golf positions. They also do 30-second sprints instead of long runs for endurance and speed training.”
Sophomore Glory Yang had been using this period of time to recuperate from an ankle injury that she sustained from a running misstep during practice. Senior Tiffany Joh had also been trying to recover from a preseason back injury that has bothered her throughout her career.
Over break, the players returned home to their respective private instructors to take lessons and to make adjustments to their golf game.
Forsyth said that sophomore Maria Jose Uribe was excited to focus on making the changes she was trying to implement during the fall. Forsyth said that having time to practice without playing in tournaments benefited Uribe.
“To make a major swing change when we’re in the middle of the season is so hard,” Forsyth said. “You really need a good, solid month and a half to two months to change something and ingrain it.”
Uribe got fitted for a new putter with a better loft, and freshman Stephanie Kono bought new clubs.
“This time, even though as a team we haven’t been able to practice, each girl knew exactly what they needed to address over this downtime, and they got it done,” Forsyth said. “Everybody used this time to get dialed in so that we can start playing when spring comes.”