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1 Jun 2022 admin

Golf in Germany Showing Growth and Promise

By: WGTF Member, Arthur van den Dool

Golf in Germany has always been a popular pastime, not in the least because international stars such as Bernhard Langer and Martin Kaymer, who both won major championships, originate from Germany. On the heels of this international exposure and success, the game of golf in Germany has shown steady progress over the years. However, things are changing.

When we look at the numbers, the total number of active golfers in the last decade has seen substantial growth. Where in 2012 approximately 635.000 golfers were active on the many beautiful German courses, that number has risen to 673.000 in 2021. As far as gender is concerned, roughly 57% are male, 35% female and 8% junior players, with these figures not differentiating much from other European markets.

Not surprising, the strongest growth the sport has seen is caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In Europe, golf was one of the few sports that was able to continue during these uncertain times and it is reflected in the German numbers, as well.

The number of golf courses in the country has also been on the rise. The current figure stands at 837 courses in total, which, compared to 2015 when there were 730 active golf courses, is a substantial rise. Most courses and players are located in the south and west parts of the country. The eastern part has the fewest, not surprising since that part of the country had been added just over 30 years ago.

Given these numbers, it seems clear that golf in Germany is doing quite well. It is expected to rise even further, although perhaps not as fast as in the past couple of years.

Editorial – Golf Injuries and Rehabilitation

By: USGTF Technical Committee

Injuries are a part of golf, just like in any other sport. It seems, though, that more top professionals are being sidelined with injuries, perhaps none more so than Tiger Woods. Jason Day also has had numerous ailments that have kept him from competing.

Among the older crowd, Fred Couples has fought a balky back for his entire career, and Bill Glasson had numerous surgeries in his playing heyday. But these seem to be the exception rather than the rule. It may just be that with today’s ever-present media, golf injuries in the professional ranks are more noted than they were in the past.

Chris Finn, owner of Par4Success, notes that in golf, pain that can be felt in one part of the body is often the result of a true injury in another part of the body. He says that is important for golfers to not only be flexible, but strong enough to handle the clubhead speeds that they are generating. So, the first order of defense in preventing injuries is to properly train the body. Although many people do not have access to personal trainers for golf, or the cost may be prohibitive, there are many good resources online, including YouTube, that have accurate and up-to-date information. Another line of defense in preventing injuries is to have proper swing mechanics. Those who tend to have a reverse pivot or reverse tilt golf swing often create torques on the back greater than what the back was meant to handle.

Stretching is also a key element in preventing injuries. There are now stretching professionals that can be found at places such as The Stretch Zone, where these professionals can provide assisted stretching beneficial to all golfers. Chiropractic care is another avenue worth exploring.

However, injuries can occur despite our best efforts at prevention. It is critical to follow any rehabilitation program given to us, and as the old saying goes, “No one ever said they came back too late from an injury.” In other words, don’t rush it. Those who are overcoming injuries should not play or practice until their medical professional has given them permission to do so. And once permission is granted, it is important to not overwork. By following the professionals’ advice and counsel, any injured golfer will be back on the course before they know it.

Student Spotlight – Eunice Hahm

By The Fairfax Golf Academy Staff

Fairfax Golf Academy for young golfers aged 7 to 14 began in the Washington DC metropolitan area in 2015. Five gifted and talented golfers have been selected for scholarships, among them Eunice Hahm. At our tryout, all coaches were surprised by her athleticism and hand eye coordination. They were far beyond her age group.

Eunice was selected for our elite program and started training immediately. We have built a program for those selected students that include fitness, mental training and strategy. She became well known as she competed in local junior tournaments after just two years of golf experience. Her swing, tournament preparation and her short game were developed by coach Ty Park, a USGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional. Park’s 25 years of teaching experience and teaching skills were a catalyst to boost her growth in her game. She has won five local tournaments and had eight consecutive top-5 finishes in 2018 and 2019. Her goal is to play golf at the college level and beyond, and to help others with their skills. She is diverse in her skills, as she is a robotics instructor at the county community center, a math tutor at her church, and an assistant golf coach for The First Tee and the Fairfax Golf Academy. She is now a sophomore and in her second year on the West Springfield High School varsity golf team.

Eunice expects to play golf next season with higher expectations. As a team, she would like to win a state championship before her graduation. As a scholar, she would like to graduate with all A’s. We believe the connection with golf and our students. Our students’ effort and passion for the game motivates all of us. All coaches at the Fairfax Golf Academy support Eunice, and we are happy to see her reaching her goals.

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