With the proliferation of ‘health and fitness for golf’ material and performance enhancement aids in the marketplace, the TGA directors felt that a reliable, scientifically credible forum needed to be available for all golf stakeholders– coaches, players and allied health practitioners. This forum would thus provide appraisal and recommendation of resources, publications and merchandise. The TGA website will always attempt to formulate opinion based in the research evidence available, within its staff and consultants, to provide objective evaluation of the relative merits of a multitude of golf related topics.

In the early 1990s the directors of TGA had already been involved with golfing organizations and individual athletes, providing research and practical application of sports science/medicine strategies albeit separately. The emergence of Tiger Woods and his ground breaking Masters win in 1997 provided significant impetus to the increased awareness of this type of strategy as a valid and valuable service for those wishing to improve technically and thus attain success in performance on any stage.

Thus in 1999, Rob Neal, David Chettle and Michael Dalgleish formed an alliance and created The Golf Athlete with the expressed view of providing “scientific support for better golf performance”. Their desire was to create resources and services that supported the “coach driven” model of player development. That is, the player and coach relationship is sacred. The services provided by TGA aim to support that relationship – education, aiming for repeatable excellence in the golf swing using 3D technology, longevity and important strategies to reduce injury rates and accelerate return to playing.

The unique skills brought together in this partnership were largely aimed at improving the player’s ability to “physically” swing the golf club: proficiently and efficiently. Thus, the triumvirate of biomechanics, physiotherapy and strength and conditioning for golf was created as the cornerstone of The Golf Athlete’s interventions. The alliance identified that for a truly holistic approach to be embodied there would need to be a complete spectrum of practitioners that may need to be involved to truly reflect the totality of sports science/sports medicine/athletic development. TGA also continues to espouse the role of podiatry, psychology, massage therapy, optometry, nutrition and sports medicine practice in all of its resources and education forums.

In recent years David Chettle began pursuing a career in medicine, thus Kelvin Giles (www.movementdynamics.com) has joined The Golf Athlete as a consultant and David’s replacement. A world expert in long term athletic development, Kelvin is a great addition to the TGA Team.

For more information on The Golf Athlete and their seminars visit www.thegolfathlete.com

Download The 2008/2009 Golf Athlete Seminar Flyer (PDF)