Potomac Pilates Offers Classes to Prepare for Golf Season

Looking for a way to improve your golf swing? Want to drive the golf ball 20 yards farther? Trying to shave a few strokes from your scorecard? Potomac Pilates is encouraging both men and women golfers to take pilates to improve their core strength, flexibility and overall fitness — all necessities for a better golf game.

The "Pilates for Golf" class is offered several times a week at Potomac Pilates — a new addition to their lineup of classes. 

A recent class — which consisted of six male golfers, including two Falls Road Golf Course professional players — helped participants strengthen their core, balance and stability.

“I noticed a lot more strength in my core and I’ve only been in this class about five weeks,” said Ben Safchuk, Falls Road Golf Pro. “It has helped me improve my rotation and drive through the ball.  I take this pilates class two times a week and I notice now that my core is constantly engaged.”

Steve Wade, a tennis and golf player said he has also noticed an improvement in his tennis game since he started the pilates class two months ago.

“I was getting injured a lot in tennis. Since I have been taking this class, I can now run after the ball with more confidence and run down drop shots without worrying that I will hurt myself,” Wade said. “It’s a great workout.”

Students begin the class by working their lower abs with focus on their core and then they continue with upper body rotations while keeping their hips still. 

“This helps the range of motion while tapping into the core,” said instructor Melissa Miller. “It builds strength but the rotation is much like the golf rotation.”

Some of the exercises stretch the lower back with a full spinal twist.  Other exercises work quads, glutes, biceps, triceps and shoulders. Another focus is on deep breathing, Miller said.