How are the PGA Tour Pros really being trained?

Interestingly, the top PGA Touring pros are being given very different golf training information to the recreational golfer. Why? Simply because the Tour players have professional coaches who know what really works and what doesn't. Conversely, the recreational golfer is being bombarded with marketing messages for products that are unlikely to really improve his/her game.

According to Steve Bann, Coach to Stuart Appleby, KJ Choi and Nick Flanagan there are four key training factors that relate to golf improvement.

Technical - the ability of the player to execute the correct technique for every shot.

Physical - the physical capability of the player (strength, flexibility, etc)

Mental - ability under pressure, confidence, concentration etc

Strategic - course management etc

Not so long ago, golf practice consisted mainly of belting out golf balls on the practice range. The more advanced players would strive to recreate the types of shots and playing conditions that they encountered in competition.

However, in recent years, the whole process became a lot more scientific. Elite golfers began to apply modern training theory to their sport - this was nothing new in other sports but for golf it was major shift. Still, golf was one of the last sports to really adopt a scientifically based training model. Even today, this scientifically based model is only being taught at the very elite levels - but with some astounding results.

In 2007, Korean sensation, KJ Choi advanced to a number 8 world ranking (from 68 previously) and this was all under the direction of his coach, Steve Bann. Also, Nick Flanagan was promoted from the Nationwide Tour to the PGA Tour before the end of the 2007 season. Nick did not actually play golf until 1997. Four years later he won the US Amateur Championship - True!

There have been thousands of golf books written over the years (some great ones) but they have focused mainly on the Technical aspects of golf training. More recently, the Mental and Strategic factors have been given increased attention.

However, it is in the area of Physical conditioning where most recreational golfers would see the greatest improvements. In many cases lack of strength and flexibility is the major limiting factor preventing golfers from achieving their true potential. One way to address this problem is with the LeaderBoard Golf Trainer - one of the few golf training aids that the pros actually use.

Bottom line, if you really want to take your golf to the next level then you need to stop focusing so much on the Technical (Techique) aspects of the game but turn your attention to the other training factors - Physical, Mental and Strategic. Steve Bann provides guidance on this via his website at www.FreeGolfLessonOnline.com

This, more holistic, approach to golf training will certainly put you on the fast track to being the best golfer you can be. You will then be truly training like pros.