“In memory of a once fluid man,  crammed and distorted by the classical mess”

Bruce Lee, martial arts legend

I don’t know about you, but I was not surprised when Tiger’s short birdie putt on 18 yesterday in his match against Nick Watney didn’t even touch the hole.

Talk about looking crammed, distorted, and uncomfortable over the ball. Yikes!

Paul McGinnely, (who was a guest commentator on Sky Sports) said, “Tiger no longer conveys the feeling that he is destined to win”. I wrote this in a previous post over a year ago, ‘How Tiger gets his Mojo back – Part 6‘, although I referred to it using a Chinese concept – the Mandate of Heaven. And while the best of Tiger is yet to come, after watching him  fail to win in Australia last fall, at Dubai a month ago, Pebble Beach a few weeks ago, and the Accenture yesterday — primarily due to poor putting — his struggles on the links provide an valuable object lesson to golfers of every level.

(1) It takes the average golfer two years for swing changes to become sufficiently ingrained into the body’s ‘Muscle Memory’ that they become automatic under the pressure of competition . Tiger is nearing that point where he can trust his swing and freely create and innovate in the heat of battle.

(2) But if the long game reflects physical balance, iron play mirrors emotional poise, the short game highlights mental clarity, and putting displays spiritual attunement, perhaps Tiger needs more work to attune spiritually. One way is through more meditation – bringing the mind to a standstill.

The art of meditation – of making the empty, empty – is a learned skill. And as my teacher says, “The power of the mind at standstill is without limit”. Tiger had this in years past, then lost it. And as a result, he no longer goes deep in the moment of truth, and is no longer sealed inside his cocoon and zone of silence over must-make putts. Tiger did not exude confidence yesterday while putting. His mind was not quiet, still or empty. And without emptiness he cannot enter the “zone” and traverse its heights. It almost seems as if he is trying to force his way in, and use his willpower to overpower the game.

While this approach may have worked in the past, we have entered a new time. Its 2012. Everything has stepped up to a higher level. When Tiger burst on the scene  he raised the bar. Now a new generation of players from around the globe have stepped up to this level and absolutely have no fear

So Tiger’s next step may perhaps be counter-intuitive to the training and code his father and teacher, the late Earl Woods (a true Warrior’s Warrior and Martial Arts Master), instilled. Rather than trying harder and attempt to bring the limited power of the Ego to bear, the key is to try less. To relax in the heat of battle, breathe deep, and let the golf play him, and through him. To become empty, utterly still, and be a vessel for his Higher Self, and a Higher Power. Its a new day. We’ve entered higher vibrational domains and what worked a decade ago, or just a few years ago, won’t work now.

Perhaps, these insights from the late, great martial arts legend, Bruce Lee (The Art of Fighting, without Fighting) point the way clear?

A Tiger's Tiger. A Warrior's Warrior. Like Father, Like Son.

He’s Back!

And just in time…with 2012 fast approaching, the once and future King is alive and well. Tiger Woods 3.0

I first met Tiger when he was 14. Couldn’t believe my eyes. Tiger Woods – The Original. The ‘Chosen’ One.

It’s nearly a dozen years since I had my ‘Power Dream’ in early June 2000, then witness it unfold in person as  Tiger stunned the world with his historic victory at Pebble Beach. The Next Step in Golf. Tiger Woods 1.0. A joy it was to witness the ‘Tiger Slam’… the golf he played. Then came a new teacher. And after the requisite 2 year adjustment period required to throughly ingrain the new swing into his ‘Muscle Memory’ as an unconscious automatic reflex action, Tiger raised his play to unprecedented heights. And then, his breathtaking second run.

Although I’m virtually off the grid in rural China completing a book, I’ve been getting ‘flashes’ for the past couple of months that Tiger has has Awakened.  Two weeks after this first ‘flash’ came news of his record setting 62 at the Medalist. This followed by his play at the Fry’s.

This morning I was greeted with news of the 67 he shot in the second round of the Australian Open (after an opening round 68) to claim the clubhouse lead. The signs couldn’t be clearer. And although I predicted in April after the final round of the Masters that Tiger would reclaim his throne in 2012 (in my article ‘Long Live the King’), this update is just to confirm what I foresaw and foresee. And what many hope for.

The Power of 3. ‘The 3rd Time Pays for All’. And so….buckle up. Here he comes. Better than ever. Tiger Woods 3.0.

Tiger is entering his Prime. His greatest play and victories are yet to come. He’s saved the best for last.

For all those that talked trash and kicked him while he was down…. payback is gonna be sweet.

Tiger was and is ‘Chosen’. First time round he didn’t understand the inherent obligations and responsibilities that comes with. Now, he does. He’s cleaned house – stripped away the unessentials. And now, with 2012 ahead, he’s making the Shift to higher levels. Ascension.

This is the real name of the game, now.

Tiger Woods 3.0

‘The Physics of Fighting’

Bruce Lee's 'One Inch Punch" at Ed Parker's Karate Tournament in 1964

Find your power and deliver it efficiently. It’s not about size or strength, it’s about focus.

We all have Qi, an inner spirit. Once you learn to focus it, there is nothing you cannot bend to your will.

Bruce Lee

Wing Chun — The Physics of Fighting – originated in the Shaolin temple nearly 400 years ago. After the collapse of the Ming Dynasty and the Manchu’s took over China, the most knowledgeable martial artists developed a new fighting method to overcome all traditional fighting styles that were being used to suppress them.

Wing Chun (“Forever Springtime”) expresses the renaissance of Shaolin martial arts.  This essence of 1,200 years of Shaolin Gong-fu is greater than the sum of its parts. Known as ‘‘Lightening Hands” in Cantonese, this very aggressive, close-quarter, fighting style generates explosive power in a small space with very small movements. Because of its simplicity, economy, and practicality, it is renowned as a fighting science and ideal for training because it can be learned easily and rapidly. Until the 1960s, it was unknown except for a select group of Chinese.

GrandMaster Yip Man (1863-1972)

Grandmaster Yip Man was the first master to teach the martial art of Wing Chun openly. He had several students who later became martial arts teachers in their own right. One of them being Bruce Lee. Yip (Ip) Man’s  legendary fighting, teaching skills and remarkable life were honored in the 2008 hit movies “Ip Man” and “Ip Man 2 in 2010. Yip Man brought this art to Hong Kong where he trained Bruce Lee in the 1950’s. When Lee came to America in 1959 he based his innovative method of combat training on it.

Bruce Lee — whose Chinese name Li Xiao Long means “Little Dragon” — was the first Asian martial arts super-star. By training religiously in many disciplines, he transformed his body, and developed astonishing martial arts abilities. His most amazing skill, a “One-Inch Punch”, enabled him to knock a grown man across a room with a punch of only one inch in length. According to Karate legend Ed Parker: “From the tips of his toes to the end of his fingertips, Bruce generated explosive speed and power that hit opponents like a high-speed bullet.” Until he demonstrated it at Parker’s Karate Exhibition at Long Beach, California in 1964 it had never been seen in the West. Of this skill, Lee said: “You’ve got to move the whole hip into it, and then snap it”.

This explosive striking skill – this super “delayed hit” – which easily applies to golf – is clearly seen in Tiger’s swing.

Wing Chun, just like Paul Bertholy’s Neuro-Muscular Kinesthetic Conditioning ‘Golf Swing Kata” teaches positions first. From the beginning of training the “Center”, the “One Point” in the lower abdomen is identified as the source of power and isolated from other factors. Proper structure and rootedness are emphasized. The training is precise, gradually moving from small to smaller movements. Wing Chun reinforces speed, accuracy, and power by programming the body to perform skills automatically. Isotonic training creates body-synergy and length-strength.

Wing Chun training will help every golfer develop greater speed, economy of movement, and the ability to strike from their “Center” – rapidly, explosively, and powerfully. Wing Chun training develops comprehensive golf fitness enabling you to discover what you are truly capable of as an athlete/golfer.

Bruce Lee was the first Chinese martial arts master to break with tradition and teach martial arts to non-Chinese. It was through him and his disciples that elite Special Forces learned Wing Chun. Although Bruce Lee took the best in physical activities and adapted what worked from other systems to create his own style, Jeet Khun Do — The Way of the Intercepted Fist – his roots are in Wing Chun and Small-Circle Jujitsu … which we explore next.

Arnis GrandMaster Dan Inosanto

- Arnis: Harness of the Hand -

Arnis, the most systematic and the best known fighting art in the Philippines is a reflection of the Filipino people’s history, philosophy, and culture. Arnis boasts a long historical development from the Kali systems. Kali (Silat) comes from the word kalis, which implies a blade, is the oldest form of weaponry in the Philippines and is the mother to Escrima. The naturally graceful, harmoniously circular movements in Filipino martial arts are characteristic of the methods found in other Asian countries. To better understand the dynamics Filipino martial arts let’s take a brief look at the historical roots of its cultural and racial diversity. Although the Philippines contains over 7,000 islands, most people live on eleven islands in three major areas: Luzon, the Visayan islands, and Mindanao.

Historians and anthropologists believe during prehistoric times, various groups of people in search of food and game migrated from the Asian mainland. They came from Indonesia, central Asia, India, Persia, and Egypt. In addition to the bow & arrow, these various groups were expert fighters with the long knife, daggers, swords, and spears. Other subsequent migrations brought along with them other bladed weapons.

The Western world first exposure to the Philippine martial art of Kali was in 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan invaded the Philippine island of Cebu as part of Spanish conquest. The natives battled Spain’s finest steel armed soldiers with pointed fire-hardened rattan sticks and homemade lances, and won. Magellan was killed, and many of his soldiers perished at the hands of the Morro tribe despite superior weaponry.

The Spanish finally colonized Cebu through the use of firearms, but the Morro refused to give up and continued killing invaders throughout the 300 years of Spain’s occupation. Kali (the bladed weapon wielding martial art), also known as Arnis or Arnis de Mano (Harness of the Hand) and Escrima (Skirmish), are the names the Spanish gave this martial art. Unlike other martial arts that haven’t been used in war for centuries, Kali, Arnis, Escrima has proven itself in battle to this present day.

When the U.S. replaced the Spanish after winning the Spanish-American war, they received identical treatment from the Morros, and to curb fatalities General Pershing issued a special leather throat guard for his troops. This lowered the death rate and is the reason why the U.S. marines are commonly referred to as “Leathernecks”. The advent of World War II united American soldiers with Philippines commandos to fight the Japanese by using Kali combat skills to dramatic effect on the battlefield. Arnis master Dan Inosanto — Bruce Lee’s #1 disciple — trained U.S. Special Forces, including the Green Beret (like Tiger’s Dad, Earl Woods).

According to James Webb, Blaise Loong, and John Joyce (original Green Beret Special Forces Combatives Course instructors): “In combat, one of the Special Forces soldier’s most essential skills is the ability to utilize hands and elbows in an “explosively powerful way” to effectively neutralize an enemy. Green Beret Special Forces Training emphasizes realistic training methods such as the kicking and hand techniques developed by Bruce Lee and his protege, Dan Inosanto, so that a soldier can be battlefield ready in an extremely short period of time.”

Arnis-Kali-Escrima training are particularly good for golfers because they enhance agility, and instill precise hand-eye coordination, Qi extension (as with any handheld weapon), and most importantly, explosive striking skills that are easily transposed into the golf swing. These martial arts skills will give more solid contact at impact, power, distance, and pinpoint accuracy. To learn more about Arnis and how it can enhance your health, fitness and golf performance please contact the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts at 310-578-7773 or www.inosanto.com.

- The Science of 8 Limbs -

Before the Second World War Eastern martial arts were secret and almost completely unknown in the West. But during the war in the Pacific, American soldiers brought back news of the extraordinary hand-to-hand fighting abilities of Japanese soldiers. Then both during and after the Japanese occupation, many American soldiers began to study Karate and other Japanese martial art systems. After the Korean War Tae Kwon Do was introduced to Western soldiers to whom this secret knowledge was a vital military weapon. During the Vietnam War, U.S. Special Forces were exposed the fighting arts of Thailand (Muay Thai) and the Philippines (Escrima), both empty-handed and weapon skills easily applied to golf.

Muay Thai — The Science of 8 Limbs — is one of the most devastating arts ever to come out of Asia. Muay Thai fighters are highly regarded for their courage, fighting spirit, and total commitment to their art. Dedicated to pure fighting, the training is hard, grueling, intensive and totally geared towards effectiveness in combat. Martial artists worldwide consider Muay Thai the ultimate in hand-to-hand combat.

Muay Thai is an adapted from Thai military arts. In peacetime the weapons of the battlefield were put aside as soldier fought empty-handed to keep their edge. In the olden days there were few rules, no rounds or weight classes. The boxers fought barefooted with their fists and forearms wrapped in hemp rope. Such combat was extremely brutal. Today, people worldwide are becoming aware of the astonishing power of authentic Muay Thai though the movie exploits of Tony Jaa, the star of two breakaway box-office hits, Ong Bak – Thai Warrior, and it sequel, Tom Yum Goong.

These two movies are based upon the actual historic feats of Thailand’s legendary Royal Warriors — the Thanat Jaturongkabaht — who guarded the King’s War Elephants in combat on ancient battlefields, and the bond between Thai boxing and elephant since the old times. The star of these films star, Tony Jaa, says: “Muay Koshasan” (Elephant Boxing) is an ancient art focusing on the act of hurling, pressing, grabbing, and breaking. We focus on the elephant’s movements, which the four Royal Bodyguards (Jaturongkabaht) used to protect the King on the battlefield. Each Jaturonghabaht guarded one leg of the King’s elephant.

While staff and knife are used in Muay Thai, the sword is the primary weapon. When a sword was lost in the battle they would use these boxing movements to fight. This form was reserved for the best Thai warriors and only taught to blood relatives. Since they had to be quick and precise to follow the King and guard the elephant’s feet, they executed brutal techniques to quickly kill the enemy on contact then move on. Thailand’s warriors acquire superior empty-hand combat skills before picking up the sword. Since the 14^th century, Buddhist monks have taught Muay Thai at the Buddha Swan Temple. Though firearms have replaced sword and shield, modern Thai warriors still study martial arts as did the brilliant warrior Kings of the past.

Thongchai Jaidee - Thai Golf Champion

Muay Thai enhances a golfer’s ability to strike with explosive speed and power. In Muay Thai, as in the golf swing, techniques must be thrown with full speed, power, and control. Breathing techniques multiply the explosive power behind a blow or strike. Secret footwork and body movements harness power that explodes into the strike and multiplies the force of impact. Muay Thai also help you to quiet the mind, and find your unique rhythm, tempo and Core – essential qualities easily integrated into your swing and game.

Muay Thai — a basic facet of Thai culture — teaches the complex mental and motor skills required to harness and unleash explosive speed, precision, and power by moving and swinging from your center. And because Thailand has been invaded since ancient times, virtually every Thai citizen — men, women, and children — knows the basics for self and national defense. As a result, Thais’ intuitively fuse Muay Thai into their swings and display an exceptional talent for golf. This is one reason why Thailand has produced an extraordinary number of junior, amateur, collegiate, and professional golf champions. To learn more about acquiring these striking skills for self defense and superior golf performance please visit  www.jd-muaythai.com.

Book Review – Sheldon Norberg’s ‘Healing Houses: My Work as a Psychic House Cleaner’

Last week Ian Poulter  tweeted: “Check this out, we have a ghost in our house this week & I’m not joking we have had some very strange goings on every night. We have a dead bolted door in the house & every morning that door is unlocked & slightly open. It’s happened 7 times already. No joke for real, very bizarre the door is pretty solid with a dead bolt & number of times it’s been unlocked & open. Calling home owner now”.

Quite a few mainstream writers made light of this story. Some even cast derision on Poulter tweet by characterizing it as “absurd”. But given that more than 50% of American’s believe in ghosts or have felt one, Poulter’s experience is neither unique, nor absurd. And given the popularity of television shows that document the reality of ghosts, haunted houses, and worse — including Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, The Haunted, Celebrity Ghost Stories, The Scariest Places on Earth — perhaps its the stunted, myopic, one-dimensional worldview that dismisses ghosts and haunted houses that is “absurd”.

But what can you actually do if you find yourself in a situation like Ian’s? What is your recourse if you happen to rent or own a house that’s haunted? What do you do if your golf course, hotel or resort is spooked?  Who you gonna call to actually bust a pesky ghost? The first person I would call is Mr. Sheldon Norberg, a skilled ghost-buster, space-clearer, and author of “Healing Houses: My Work as a Psychic House Cleaner”. This beautifully written account of his extraordinary adventures and experiences while busting ghosts and clearing spaces for lucky homeowners in California is one to buy.

Sheldon views the phenomena of hauntings in purely energetic terms. He says, “Energy follows thought. Simple as that. We transmit and receive energy signals constantly. Our thoughts transmit energy, our emotions transmit energy, and our actions transmit energy. What I find in the homes I work in is that people’s long-term energetic transmission sticks in the walls, in the wood, in the furniture, and in the energy body of the house itself. This deeply rooted vibrational energy remains, and affects the people who live there afterward.”

“In homes where people have faced great loss, long term illness like cancer, intense pain, or anguish leading to their death, or other powerful negative experience, the stains that they leave behind can be quite palpable for those trying to live there afterward. In some of the homes to which I’ve been called it was impossible for the inhabitants that died to move beyond this sphere and on to a higher level. Unaware that they are dead, they remain in their home, expecting things to be the way they were during their life, holding on to the actions that held meaning for them, or desiring to resolve issues with people who are no longer available or even alive. These spirits continue with their daily (or nightly) rounds, and seem to become upset by changes that occur in their living space. Some make their presence known to the living, who to them, are invaders.”

“ A lot of people want to ascribe the energetic problems of houses to “ghosts,” and since the release of Ghostbusters, there has been tremendous interest in “ghost hunting” as well. Since I first sat down to write this book, there have been no less than a half dozen TV shows committed to Ghost Hunting, but hunting is a far cry from healing. What I do find, almost invariably, is that the intense emotions or energy states that the former inhabitants emanated while they were living there, left stains. These stains weren’t covered by paint, or wallpaper, or removed by remodeling, or any other attempts to alter the feel on the physical plane.”

And these energetic stains are what Sheldon heals. His success rate is astounding. And so is his book.

So, to Ian, the owners of the home he rented, and any golf course/hotel/resort owner with a similar problem, look no further than Sheldon Norberg to bust your ghosts and heal/clear your space. For more information on his book, and professional services please visit www.healinghouses.com or call (510) 595-4699.

TOTAL GOLF FITNESS – KARATE & TAE KWON DO

Before World War II, Eastern martial arts were secret and almost completely unknown in the West. They were either passed down within the temple from master to disciple, or within the confines of a closely-knit family clan. But during the war in the Pacific, American soldiers brought back news of the extraordinary hand-to-hand fighting abilities of Japanese and Korean soldiers they encountered on the battlefield. As America gradually became bogged down in a long, drawn-out wars in Asia the interest in guerrilla tactics increased the United States military began to integrate formerly secret Japanese and Korean martial arts first into Green Beret training then into all branches.

JAPANESE MARTIAL ARTS

- Karate: The Way of the Empty Hand -

Karate Grand Master Mas Oyama (1923-1994)

Karate – The Way of the Empty Hand — uses kata (Paul Bertholy’s Method) to develop endurance, power, precision, and reflexes.

Based on the concept of Yin and Yang, and rooted in Zen meditation, it balances body, mind, and spirit. Codified in 1770 as Shotokan by Master Guchin Funakoshi, this martial art centers on maintaining the correct posture and structural alignment at all times. Karate was so effective in upgrading fighting skills that in 1950 General Curtis LeMay sent U.S. pilots to study it as a top priority.

Master Mas Oyama (1923-1994) — well known for his feats of strength and endurance — is considered the toughest martial artist of all time. His acclaim reached mythic proportions, when, in order to demonstrate the true power and effectiveness of Karate, he fought and killed bulls with his bare hands. Mas, who afterwards was referred to as “The God-Hand”, acknowledged the African origins of Karate and martial arts.

From Karate aspiring golfers can learn punching and kicking skills, and the use of small weapons. Karate’s striking techniques and training methods  – evident in Tiger explosive golf swing and Earl’s approach to training using kata (practicing positions and slow motion movements in front of a mirror) — are easily adapted.

KOREAN MARTIAL ARTS

- Tae Kwon Do: The Way of Destroying with Hand and Foot -

Tae Kwon Do Master Kenny Pitts

Tae Kwon Do, a form of Korean Karate developed over 20 centuries ago, is characterized by fast, high, spinning kicks. “The Way of Destroying with Hand and Foot” — Tae Kwon Do — is more flowing than Karate, with higher stances and kicks, as foot techniques are more important than to hand strikes. The practice of kata/pomsee forms (shadow boxing) instills proficiency in techniques, and also challenges and develops the mind. Board breaking is more prevalent in training. Tae Kwon Do — which encompasses muscle toning, stretching, flexibility, and increases strength and stamina through aerobic sparring — channels internal and external energy towards constructive uses.

As a result of the Japanese occupation of Korea during World War II many Korean soldiers were sent to Japan for military training. Upon their return they brought back a great deal of Karate knowledge. Various styles emerged. Although they continued to practice Karate after the war and set up schools — each teacher having his own “brand” of Karate — the art began to degenerate without higher instruction from the original source. In 1955, General Choi Hong-hi, in an attempt to better coordinate the martial arts of Korean troops, united the various styles to form Tae Kwon Do. The differences between the contrasting styles were minimized, but the differences from Karate were maximized. The name Tae Kwon Do was adopted from Tae Kyon, the earliest recorded martial arts of Korea (50 B.C.). At first just the army were taught, later the police and air force were included. Nowadays, it is part of Korean schools’ national curriculum. The art is phenomenally popular and is one of the most widely practiced. From Tae Kwon Do aspiring golfers can learn to swing from their center, gain explosive speed and power, and to hone techniques via forms (kata/pomsee) training.

Many golf champions utilize both Karate and Tae Kwon Do to improve power, precision, performance. Both are rightfully considered external martial arts. If you are interested in knowing more and acquiring either of these golf enhancing martial arts please visit www.kpmaa (Pitts Martial Arts Academy) or contact Master Kenny Pitts at pmaa@earthlink.net. In the next article we will explore two other explosive martial arts that improve power and performance,  Escrima from the Philippines, and Muay Thai from Thailand.

- Fusing Golf & Martial Arts -

Paul Bertholy’s use of kata training was the first example of a Western golf teacher fusing golf and martial arts. But Jackie Burke Jr. — one of America’s greatest and most remarkable golf teachers — also has, for decades. At age 82, this Hall of Fame player with two major championships among his 17 PGA Tour victories still does daily martial arts exercises. Burke, who taught Judo while serving in the Marines and became a black belt in Tae Kwon Do at age 67, credits his extraordinary strength, flexibility, and striking skills — at an advanced age — to daily practice fusing golf and martial arts.

Phil Mickelson, a student of Burke, improved his strength, flexibility, distance, performance, and elevated his career after a dismal 2003 season, and went on to win 4 majors. His new fitness regimen in 2004, which included Tae Kwon Do, paid dividends with a 2005 P.G.A. Championship and three Master’s victories. Annika Sorenstam’s emphasis on fitness and focus is also widely known. According to L.P.G.A. teacher and Aikido master Jamie Zimron: “One of Annika’s coaches has worked to instill in her martial arts principles. She is “all about center, focus, balance, and relaxed core power”. Se Ri Pak of Korea credits martial arts training as the key to her resurgence and thrilling victory in the L.P.G.A. Championship in 2006. This latest win was her fifth major title and 23rd overall. She revived her career by training more than 12 hours a day and studying two martial arts — Muay Thai kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do. Pak credits daily training — punching, kicking and blocking blows from her martial arts instructor — in helping to build mental and physical strength.

While many of the world’s top golfers use martial arts to improve fitness and performance (found in books and articles by Gary Player and Johnny Miller), Tiger had a master warrior as his first model and teacher. Earl Woods Green Beret martial arts training formed the matrix of capabilities he fused into his swing. In his prime a 1 handicap, Earl hit the ball a long way; had a great short game; and was a wizard with trouble shots. His hand-to-hand combat training instilled balance, flexibility, agility, economy of movement, and an ability to move-spring-and-strike rapidly, explosively, and powerfully ‘- to “move like a cat and attack like a tiger”. Weapon training taught “Qi extension”, “speed is power”, and “kinetic linkage of rhythm, timing and leverage to magnify striking power”.

Earl conveyed all these skills and abilities to Tiger. Early exposure to Earl’s dynamism, swing, and training activated in Tiger internal powers almost incomprehensible to Western golfers. “He has strength and club-head speed we’ve never seen before”, said David Feherty. “He hits shots we’ve never seen before; majestic, soaring, long iron shots nobody else even attempts”, said Jim Nance. And John Cook said: “Tiger’s on the next level, whatever that is, and maybe the next level beyond that.”

But that was then, this is now, as a new generation of golfers — raised to emulate Tiger – now integrate various martial arts training methods, techniques, and skills into their games to elevate their performance and awaken extraordinary abilities. And you can too. There are many martial arts systems and traditions to choose from. In the next few posts we will explore various martial arts and how they can benefit every aspiring golfer.

Paul Bertholy with swing pipe (age 66)

- The Born Again Golfer -

Paul Bertholy was one of the greatest golf teachers of all-time. He had the #1-rated golf school in America from 1962-1992, trained thousands of champions from juniors to tour pros. Bertholy was the Teaching Editor Emeritus of Golf Magazine for 20+ years; was 5-Times a P.G.A. National Select Teacher, and conducted the first P.G.A. Teaching Seminar in the history of the U.S. P.G.A. He was also the first teacher in golf history to identify the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics in the golf swing.

Paul Bertholy often said: “To play to your full potential, you need greater strength, flexibility, stamina, and endurance. You must rejuvenate, and be born again.”

He said, “The typical adult golfer is not strong, or flexible enough in the related muscles, ligaments and tendons of the golf swing. One reason is that the aging process starts between the ages of 15 and 25, then accelerates rapidly as you get older. But there is a “Fountain of Youth”, and that fountain is exercise.” Bertholy concluded: “ A daily exercise program is an excellent idea, so why not do an exercise program that also builds a fine golf swing?” In the West, Bertholy’s physical approach to golf fitness – using isotonics, isometrics, and light weights to anchor precise swing mechanics into the golfers muscle memory — was the first Western teacher to integrate Eastern yogic and martial arts training methods into golf. His students learned golf swing positions before learning movements, then grooved movements in super-slow-motion before adding rhythm, speed, and power. A pioneer in the off-season physical conditioning via stretching, muscle specific weight training (including a deltoid strengthening with weights called ‘The Golden Exercise’), Bertholy maintained his strength, flexibility, speed, power, and superb striking skills until his death.

Teaching position before teaching motion is a 5,000 year old classical Eastern method of internal training in yoga, dance, and martial arts. Asana in India, hsing shi in China, pomsee in Korea, or kata in Japan, all mean; “to shape, form, mold, or model”, or “that which gives form and defines shape”. Bertholy’s system of teaching golf featured a 3-step method of kata training he called “Neuro-Muscular Kinesthetic Conditioning”.

– 3 Step Kata Training -

(1) In the first step is to focus on maintaining precise posture, alignment, positions, movements, and sequences done in super-slow motion — as a moving meditation — to improve flexibility, and replenish the organs, nervous and lymphatic systems.

(2) Kata are done slowly and deliberately as a progressive resistance exercise with light weights. Movements are initiated and guided by rhythmic breathing. As movements become easier the weight and resistance are increased to build strength and stamina.

(3) To gain and enhance golfing skills in striking at impact with power, speed and accuracy — vitally important in golf — kata are performed at a rapid pace without weights. Speed also strengthens the heart and circulation.

Over time, Bertholy’s student’s outer vision (mind) and inner feel (body) also became one. As their inside and outside became oneside and their golf swings became perfectly grooved and automatic. And your golf swing must be grooved, unconscious, and automatic to traverse the Zone’s exalted heights.

- Tiger, Vijay and You -

Earl used this method to train Tiger. As in any dojo (martial arts training hall) Tiger learned to take his swing apart position-by-position in slow-motion, and put it back together to ingrain the swing into his muscle memory. As with Bertholy’s use of a “swing pipe”, Earl’s kata training taught Tiger how to make his hand-held weapon — the golf club — like a sword: an extension of his body.

Vijay Singh’s 3-step kata training with static, slow-motion, and progressive resistance (a weighted driver) enhanced his power, precision and performance. As a result Vijay strengthened his body, transformed his game, and rejuvenated his professional career.

If you practice golf in a mirror using kata, and light weights in a 3-step progressive program, your growth and development are unlimited. Then, you too, can rejuvenate your body, golf swing and game to become, as Paul Bertholy advised, a “Born Again” golfer.

- Feel Younger, Play Better, Live Longer -

As we saw so vividly displayed in the final round of the 2011 Masters, a purely hit ball is a joy and wonder to behold. But more importantly, what the top pros experience in moments of peak performance is open to every golfer, all the time. So is the exquisite natural high –- the energetic uplift — we get when we play in the Zone.

Many golfers intuitively enter the ‘Zone’ by being at the place (right location) – which I first explored in ‘Playing in the Zone – Power Spots”, and at the right time. But the most important quality aspiring golfers need to be able to play in the Zone, at will, is “Total Golf Fitness”. “Total Golf Fitness” — which includes the golfers physical, energetic, emotional, mental and spiritual fitness and conditioning will be explored in great depth. But today we will explore various methods of external and internal training beginning with the teachings of the late PGA Grandmaster Teacher, the illustrious Paul Bertholy.

- The Born Again Golfer -

Paul Bertholy

Paul Bertholy often said: “To play to your full potential, you need greater strength, flexibility, stamina, and endurance. You must rejuvenate, and be born again.”

“The typical adult golfer is not strong, or flexible enough in the related muscles, ligaments and tendons of the golf swing. One reason is that the aging process starts between the ages of 15 and 25, then accelerates rapidly as you get older. But there is a “Fountain of Youth”, and that fountain is exercise.” Bertholy concluded: “ A daily exercise program is an excellent idea, so why not do an exercise program that also builds a fine golf swing?” In the West, Bertholy’s physical approach to golf fitness included isotonics, isometrics, weights and muscle memory. And its been successfully employed by hundreds of thousands of aspiring golfers over the past 80 years.

In the East, the energetic approach for health, fitness, rejuvenation, longevity and enlightenment – — via yoga, martial arts and mediation — has been used successfully for thousands of years. The alchemical process of being ‘Born Again’ and “Returning to Youth” — which the Chinese refer to as Huan Tung — involves a total approach to golf practice. These ancient energetic arts are ideal for golfers because they enhance strength, elasticity, balance, agility, speed, stamina, performance, and awaken primordial powers (the Zone) These arts — which can uplift, refine, and transform your swing, game, and life for the better — may be one of the most important things you ever learn.