Fitness Coach Is Down on Yoga & Pilates for Golf

Bill Hartman, a physical therapist, “sports performance coach,” and owner of www.yourgolffitnesscoach.com, claims that practicing yoga and Pilates may be one of the biggest mistakes athletes – especially golfers – could make.

In a recent press release, Hartman writes, “Golf demands a high degree of dynamic flexibility performed explosively at very high speeds. Activities like yoga or Pilates don’t address these demands and can even be destructive to the function of the muscles and tendons.

“In high-speed activities like golf, the tendons function like springs or rubber bands to produce club-head speed,” Hartman continues. “The slower, more passive flexibility training in yoga and Pilates robs golfers of the elasticity that they need to drive the golf ball to the best of their ability and to conserve energy.”

Hartman says he utilizes a series of dynamic stretches and strength training exercises specifically designed to help golfers achieve optimal flexibility and improve their on-course performance.

Hartman’s criticism of yoga and Pilates sounds like sour grapes to me. I’ve been practicing yoga for three years and have never felt more fit and prepared to play golf. Thanks to yoga, my core (abdomen) is stronger and previously chronic back problems – despite a sedentary job in front of a computer – have gone away. My balance, strength, flexibility and coordination have all improved with twice-weekly 90-minute yoga sessions.

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