Jeff Romkey and Cyril Moss have a passion for golf. Romkey - a registered physiotherapist - and Moss – a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist - are looking to turn this passion into something that they can share with the members of the St Marys Golf & Country Club.
Approximately 60% of golfers have suffered an injury specific to golf which has required time away from the course. Half of these injuries require at least 5 weeks of non-playing time.
A common mechanism of injury amongst amateur golfers is repetitive practice. Additionally, insufficient warm-up, poor technique, poor conditioning and in some cases advanced age can contribute to the incidence of injury.
Romkey and Moss decided that it would be ideal to match their knowledge of exercise physiology and sports injuries with their interest in the sport of golf. To this end, both attended the prestigious “Titleist Performance Institute” (TPI) to become credentialed as Certified Golf Fitness Instructors. The Titleist Performance Institute is unique in its team approach to improving a golfer’s swing. The team includes a golf professional, a fitness professional, and a medical professional.
The “St. Marys Golf Fitness Academy” at Stonetown Physiotherapy uses the TPI model to evaluate a golfer’s physical capabilities and swing mechanics in order to develop a customized program of off-season conditioning exercises. Participants receive the same experience they would at the Titleist Performance Institute in Oceanside, California…with the exception of the beautiful weather and scenery.
This functional screen includes various golf-specific physical tests, as well as analysis of the golfer’s swing using high definition, high speed video. The Golf Fitness Academy is also equipped with 3D motion capture technology – the same technology used in the gaming industry and movie animation, which allows Romkey and Moss to determine a golfer’s swing efficiency.
Based on the golfer’s physical capabilities and limitations, an exercise program is developed. This program helps to improve muscle and joint mobility required by an optimal golf swing, as well the strength and stability of the shoulders, torso and hip girdle that generate power in a golf swing.
Participants are also provided with online access to their TPI conditioning program so that they may follow their workout independently – in a home or gym setting. Furthermore, Stonetown Physiotherapy has recently installed an indoor golf net, giving golfers a chance to hit some balls after their workout.
More information about the ‘St. Marys Golf Fitness Academy’ may be found at www.stonetownphysiotherapy.ca, by emailing stonetownphysio@quadro.net or by calling 519-284-2569.
