My Fitness

Fit For Everything

Just how seriously today's players take fitness can be seen from the change in stats since I first started out on Tour 10 years ago. At that time, something like 30 per cent worked out, but today it is closer to 70 per cent and much of that increase is down to Tiger Woods.

I have a pretty good metabolism, so I don't work out to lose weight, just to keep fit.   How much I do depends on my state of mind at the time.  I am supervised by Ascot-based fitness trainer Paul Hoskins who works out my programmes, he also handles Thomas Bjorn. Paul Morrissey from the The Osteopathic Clinic of Physical Medicine looks after all my aches and pains and does an excellent job.  I also have a chiropractor on tour, Dale Richardson. In general, I will do cardio work for 20 minutes on a treadmill or bike and then 40 minutes with a fitness ball working on joint stability and posture, trying to counter the effects that golf has had on my body over the years. Most of my problems have been in my upper back and shoulders.  The fitter I am, the fewer problems I have.

 
Some people use fitness as a means of getting stronger so that they can hit the ball harder, but it's very difficult to make a difference through this route.   Mainly, the guys who are fitter and stronger don't get injured as often and that's where I am trying to get to.