Matt Keller, a PGA of America Master Professional, is the Owner/Operator of York (PA) Indoor Golf & Training Center and Lancaster (PA) Indoor Golf & Training Center. He also manages the golf operation at Bridgewater Golf Club in York, Pennsylvania.
Matt Keller on the importance of helping clients be more than just a good player:
Our bread and butter at my indoor facilities is golf instruction and custom clubfitting. As an avid runner, I understand the benefits of being fit for the activities that we enjoy. Golf fitness is a similar concept. Golfers want to hit the ball farther, play better, play more and play pain-free – but what are they doing to ensure their bodies can deliver on those goals? The idea of providing a holistic approach to player development (instruction, fitting and fitness) is important to me. Being TPI-certified, I implement golf fitness into my coaching sessions in a less formal but still motivational manner. My teens and high school golfers are working out and are aware of how their health and wellness affect their golf game and goals for the future. However, many of my adult students need more convincing. Understanding that I’m not a trainer, I’ll perform functional movement screens with my students to recognize problems and their impact on the golf swing. We partner with some mental coaches and a ‘yoga for golf’ instructor and educate our adult students on the value of stretching using the GolfForever Training System at our York location. While building this awareness among our adult clients is a continuous task, we always emphasize the importance of fitness and playing other sports to our juniors. This is how they’ll become better athletes and better golfers. After all, they want to play in college and are super motivated to do what it takes to level up to achieve their goals. However, being a good player only goes so far. Many of my juniors are working out on their own and see a personal trainer.
Matt Keller on the business impact of helping clients be more than just a good player:
Educating golfers about golf fitness goes beyond the game – it’s important for life. As we get older, we sometimes adopt a less active lifestyle. The glutes are a use-it-or-lose-it muscle, so avoiding muscle imbalances is vital to our progress as golfers. Squats, stretches or stability exercises help people move better on and off the course. When I was in 8th grade, I played golf in a local church fundraiser with three friends and experienced a defining moment soon afterward. There was an 81-year-old gentleman who asked us what other sports we played. We rattled off baseball, basketball, football, track, cross country and probably a few others. The older gentleman looked at us and said, “I don’t know many 81-year-old people who can still play those sports, but I shot an 81 today.” The lightbulb went off – I can play golf for the rest of my life and still play at a reasonably high level. I was hooked on golf from that point and understand today what one has to do to achieve those objectives. Be fitness-minded and understand that your body is the most important piece of golf equipment you have.
If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email matt@yorkindoorgolf.com.
