Too old? Too slow?

[aj]

Hello All

I've just started playing golf after a long break(18 years or so) and have got hooked on this long driving. I'm fast approaching 40 with a current swing speed of 125-131. I've bought one of those swing speed radars and an SMT/Accuflex driver and expect the swing speed to increase with more exercise and practice.

Am I too old/too slow to think of getting anywhere in this sport?

Yours sincerely

AJ

[golfdude]

You are never too old!!!!!  You can only get better.  I myself am 42 and just starting, also.  I have a swing speed a little higher than yours, but nowhere close to the monsers in the open division, that's why I am shooting for the Seniors in a couple of years.  If you feel you are too old or can't compete with the gorillas in the open division, shoot for the Seniors like I am.  There are still some monsters in the Seniors, but our chances are better and there is a lot of experience to be gained going against the young bucks until then.

Good luck!

Alan Reed

NEVER TOO OLD!! LOL
     Hell AJ you got 5 years to go to get to Senior division!  Then after that theres Super Seniors!!  I got into it at 42-43 and am just entering seniors and from the experiences I've had with people I'll probly be involved til I'm 70!(if I'm lucky enuff to be here!)Its great and from what Ive seen in posts the European LD guys and gals are having a blast!  
 Welcome to your new home away from home !!lol
  Neil

[aj]

Alan and Neil

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement - I'll be down the range working hard this weekend coming!

Regards

AJ

[The_Power]

Hi AJ,

Don?t worry about your age, David Mobley is the current World Champion at 39 and Sean Fister won the title when he was 40 years old.

There are a lot of bravado claims about clubhead speed, from what you read you would think every longdriver is over 150 mph, however, when speeds were measured at the 2004 World Finals I believe that not one swing managed to even reach 150mph! I myself have been recorded at anything between 120-160mph depending on the launch monitor used.

It also surprises me that no-one ever talks about acceleration, if you had a clubhead speed of 151mph 1cm before the ball and 150mph at impact, despite your impressive speed you would have actually hit the ball with a decelerating blow!!

Looking forward to seeing you out on the tour.

Phil ?The Power? Naylor

[aj]

Phil

Thanks for taking the time to reply and the information.

I'm not sure whether an accelerating or decelarating blow would make any difference - in my mind it wouldn't - but I'm no expert!

It is clear from all the articles and pictures on the web that physical fitness is a big factor. At the moment I'm trying to not get too technical and will be focusing on improving my fitness levels which are currently rock bottom.

Are there any must do exercises you could recommend?

I've been on the various web sites but haven't seen any dates for events in Europe for 2005. I will definitely be along to those in England - even if it only to watch and get a feel for what is going on.

Thanks again.

Regards

AJ

[The_Power]

The only 'must do' exercise is hitting balls. Of course a bit of physical conditioning can certainly help a lot, I would recommend an all over body routine using free weights which also work the stabilising muscles that are important in the golf swing.

keep an eye on www.longdrivers-eu.com, the 2005 tour dates & venues should be coming out very soon now.

[Snake]

Hi AJ

In regard to training, here's what I do. I break it down into a few different components. Firstly as so far as the gym goes, I work in the 80%+ of my 1 rep max. In other words, I'm lifting maximal weight. I think this is important in order to improve absolute strenght. This sort of trainig also effects the fast twich muscle fibres more which is essential for speed development. So typically I stick to the main powerlifting movements such as bench press, deadlifts, cleans etc and perform 1-5 reps.
Secondly, in order to develop power I also do some exercises in the 30-50% 1RM range and perform them ballastically (ie. moving the weight explosively). Finally I do some work with weighted clubs (+- 5-10% of club weight). I have also found pylometrics useful such as medicine ball work etc. It may sound like a lot but you can squeeze it all into 3 x 1 hour sessions per week and you are hitting most of the key areas to help develop more power and speed. I've borrowed a lot of my ideas from speed training regimes from other sports.

I think the physical conditioning aspect of long drive is important, but I see too many long drivers doing what are essentially bodybuilding type workouts i.e. 8-12 reps, 3-4 sets per exercise, 2-3 exercise per body part. This does build some strenght and of course size, but size is not necessarly a good thing for long drive. Power lifting type workouts are superior in terms of developing strenght and speed and should be preferred. Also, don't forget flexibility work. Its no good being stronger if your range of motion is dimished.

Finally, as Phil so rightly pointed out, hit some golf balls. I'm not a big fan of hitting 1000's like some guys do. I know some of our chemically enhanced colleagues from North America have been known to hit 500-1000 per session and do several sessions per week. Don't get me wrong, hitting lots of balls is good to enhance technique, but if you're hitting balls as a form of speed training I think hitting too many shots at full power is ultimately counter productive to developing speed (its good for developing speed endurance).  In other words, you don't train for the 100 metres by running a marathon.  

Anyway I've been rambling on for a while. I hope you find some use in this information. Also, I curious if others agree/disagree with my ideas. I'm not saying I'm right and I'm certainly open to new ideas.

Good luck with it AJ. We'll have to orgainse a long drive 'Ashes Tour' - Australia verses the UK.

Regards

Simon from Sydney

[aj]

Phil and Simon

Thanks for the great replies and useful information - it is all much appreciated! I'm already clearing out space in my garage and dusting down the free weights.

500-1000 balls in one session is unbelievable! Is the use of chemicals a common occurence or is it as I would presume a largely drug free sport?

The 'Ashes Tour' sounds a great idea - I'm sure as this sport grows so will these kind of events.

Regards

AJ

[Snake]

Hi AJ

No worries mate.

Also, I don't know how common place the use of performance enhancing drugs is in long drive. A few times over the years it comes up as a topic in various forums. Some claim it's common place others say there is little evidence to support any wide spread use. The issue of drug testing has been muted a few times in the LDA but there doesn't seem to be any support for the idea. The sport seems squeeky clean here is Australia.

It sounds like from Phil's email that your season is starting soon. Good luck with it all and all the best.

Simon

[golfdude]

AJ and Snake,

I am a North Amarican who is chemically enhanced.  That is if beer is considered a chemical.  Wait a minute! I think that is called chemically inhibited.  :?   Never mind!

Alan

[Snake]

Hi Alan

I've got a long drive friend here in Australia who enjoys a beer before he competes -it helps him to relax. He's been going pretty well to boot! Aah, beer, is there anything it can't do!

Regards

Simon

[aj]

Simon and Alan

Apologies in advance for this one - but isn't it illegal to drink and drive in the U.S. and Australia?

Regards

AJ

[golfdude]

AJ

That's a good one.

Alan