By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Sports Editor

Would you like to add 15-20 yards to your drives in golf? Do you ever feel like you lose a little bit of your game as you close out your round? If you answered yes, and would like to improve your golf game during the short Georgia off-season, there's a class starting up that has helped PGA professionals over the last few years and it may be able to help you.

Starting on Nov. 8, Kelly Blackburn, the premier personal fitness trainer for PGA Tour golf professionals, will kick off her KB Golfit program in three gyms across the state; including Gold's Gym of Fayette County.

The program does not involve a swing apparatus or a gimmick, but rather exercises used for strengthening golf muscles and flexibility. “The goals of the program are to help golfers gain distance off the tee, build stamina, achieve more flexibility for added power behind the ball and, ultimately, shave strokes from their handicaps,” said Blackburn.

Though the program is designed to enhance the muscles that dictate the golf swing, it is not a cure for poor swing mechanics. It is recommended that participants in the program be familiar with the proper golf swing prior to taking the class. The results have been good though. Tour professionals that are involved in the program have seen up to 20 yards in added distance off the tee. Amateurs that have been involved in the program have seen an average of up to 12 yards in added distance off the tee.

Another benefit that has been seen is those golfers that entered the program with past shoulder, back or neck problems, have lowered their risk of injury and see little recurring pain after six months in the program.

The course will be offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Gold's Gym. The class is one hour long and open to golfers of all ages and skill levels. Gold's Gym will also offer a complement program, “Golf Circuit.” The Circuit will feature stations that are sport specific and place an emphasis on stretching, endurance, and strengthening.

To find out more about the Golfit program, visit any golf or sports store in the area or call Gold's Gym at 770-631-9901. Blackburn also has written a book called, “Exercise for Elite Golf Performance”, and is the creator and host of The Golf Fitness Center, featured on PGATOUR.com and Golfweb.

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