Committing to GolfForever for 60 Days Made this Buddy Trip Unforgettable
By JAY COFFIN
Jay Coffin has worked in the journalism, digital media, television, communications and media fields for the last three decades. Most of that time has been spent in the sports and golf industry, including time at Golfweek, Golf Channel and Golf Digest.
The concept seemed obvious, but it wasn’t until it hit me square in the face. I work with the GolfForever marketing, social media and content teams so why not commit diligently to the program for the two months leading up to my epic 36-man buddy trip to Canada?
(Hint: it worked!)
The bright light came on during a weekly planning meeting and it was, coincidentally, 64 days before I was to leave for Cabot Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. I had already dabbled in the program but vowed to work hard for 60 days to prepare my body for a trip that would call for seven consecutive days of golf, the last four of which were a Ryder Cup-style competition where we’d walk and take caddies.
After seven straight days of golf, nearly 700 swings, and walking 30 miles, I felt better on the final day than I did on the first. A year earlier, I could barely get out of bed on the final days of a similar trip.
Here's what changed.
A breakdown of the week.
I met with GolfForever founder Dr. Jeremy James before I left (watch the full conversation below), asking for advice on how to treat my body before and after each round of golf. His most sage words were to stay out of the bar afterward, which I knew was going to be difficult. Not because I’m a big drinker, but because that’s what 36 guys do immediately after playing a quasi-heated competitive round.
Tee times each day were mid-morning so it was easy to wake up, eat a good breakfast and go through a 10-15 minute stretching and mobility routine. I had favorited several such workouts during my preparations, but when it came time to warmup I simply went through four or five of my favorite rotations. Afterward, I did as Dr. James suggested – I did not immediately sit down because I didn’t want to get tight. There was only one night, early in the week, where I had more to drink than I should have.
On July 16, Day 1 of the four-day competition, my body didn’t feel great. The weather was windy and chilly and I was not playing well. But I had a great partner on Day 2 in an alternate-shot match and again on Day 3 in a scramble match. My legs were tired at the end of each round but everything else felt fine, including my back.
On the final day, I played my best golf of the week in a singles match which I won handily. Our team came from behind to win at the end and it felt great to contribute. My legs felt remarkably fresh, my swing was good, my mind was clear and my back felt like it did 10 years ago. I never dreamed I could feel this well at the end of a long week.
Simply put, the program works. The only thing different between last year’s Ireland trip and this year’s to Canada was my devotion to the program. My mobility was better and my flexibility was great, leading to a better golf game and a body that felt fresh when the stakes were the highest. I will continue to use the program because of how it made me feel during my most important golf trip of the year.
