Living in Saint Louis, Missouri in mid July makes us experts on heat and humidity. With temperatures in the mid to upper 90's and heat indexes in the 100's for the past several days, it's no secret to anyone playing a round of golf that you can be both physically and mentally drained at the end of 18 holes.

Just last week I was in the gym and was asked a question by one of the members of the fitness facility. He said to me, "Jeff, I have been working out fairly regularly for the past year, but it seems like I am not making any real progress. Sure I feel better than I did and I know I am stronger than I was a year ago, but I just don't feel like I am seeing any real changes. It doesn't seem fair. I put in all of this time in the gym and I eat pretty well, but I don't feel like I am getting anywhere. What am I doing wrong?"





Does this sound familiar?

Are you like most people that are tired all the time, always hungry for that sweet snack, and unable to resist eating large portions or grazing the fridge throughout the day? Chances are it's not simply because you are working so hard that you run out of energy, or that you just don't have the will power to fight off those food temptations, it actually might be that your body is chemically causing these issues due to the food choices that you have made previously.

So, how should we set up to the ball to maximize our balance and effectiveness when getting ready to swing a club? This is a very important topic, and I can honestly say that I have worked with many amateur/beginner golfers that have never even thought about it! Ask any golf instructor and they will tell you how crucial the balance of one's setup is to executing a proper swing and staying balanced throughout the motion. If you don't start in the right position, what are the odds that you are going to be able to create the desired movement as you begin the swing?

"But I can't get my back to the target; I'm just not flexible enough!" Have you ever heard this on the driving range, or said it yourself? It is a very common thought that is expressed by many golfers, especially those in their 40's, 50's and up. The body just doesn't feel limber enough to make a complete backswing, and getting your hips all the way around for a full follow through can seem impossible. But is it really?