Golf began as a recreational sport for the aristocracy, so for many years it wasn’t seen as necessary to be in top physical shape to play golf. However, golf is a full-body sport that requires complex movements and precision. A golfer needs strength and flexibility in the back, shoulder, and core muscles, supported by strong quads, just to name a fraction of the complex actions involved in the golf swing.
It can be hard to analyze your own golf swing in order to troubleshoot injuries or plan for improvement, which is why it can be so helpful to have the assistance of a professional trained for the specific needs of your golf game. Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) offers rigorous training and certification programs for medical and fitness professionals focused on golf fitness and biomechanics. TPI is the world's leading educational organization dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing.
Last spring Dr. Shireesh became a TPI certified medical professional, equipped to treat golf injuries and troubleshoot your golf swing. He’s continued his education in golf biomechanics and fitness, completing the TPI Fitness Certification — gaining the knowledge and tools to design effective conditioning programs for players of all ages and abilities— and the TPI Junior Certification — learning how to support youth golfers with developmentally appropriate skills and training to foster passion for the game. The certification process dives deep into 3D Biomechanics, the physics of projectiles, motor control, swing instruction, player coaching, and the short game.
Any athlete will tell you knowing more about the biomechanics of the activity you’re doing can quickly lead to performance improvements, not to mention preventing potential injury. For example, better golf biomechanics can maximize the distance and accuracy of your shots. It all starts with understanding the structure and movements of your golf swing, like recognizing the optimal shoulder and wrist movements.
Golf Fitness is about understanding how a body’s limitations can influence the golf swing and how to address those limitations through the proper channels; whether it’s through swing instruction, physical rehabilitation or strength and conditioning exercise. TPI Certified Golf Experts can quickly identify any physical restrictions that may be limiting a player’s swing, and teach simple techniques to improve these limitations.
As a TPI Junior Certified coach, Dr. Shireesh is part of a trailblazing long-term athletic development golf program for kids. It’s fun, developmentally appropriate, and designed to develop the skills and passion for the game of golf. You’re never too young to learn good mechanics for injury prevention!
Dr. Shireesh says his motivation to continue his golf-specific education is his patients, many of whom are golfers. The rigorous training he’s receiving through TPI will allow him to provide more targeted treatment and advice to help patients prevent injuries. Helping young golfers grow in their golf game with strength and flexibility will set them up for success!
Are you a golfer? Is there a golfer in your life? Book an appointment with Dr. Shireesh for a swing analysis to improve your golf game and troubleshoot issues!