Will compression clothing help your game?

Will compression clothing help your game?

Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC.  We conduct 1, 2 and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993.  We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.

The only time I have ever noticed people wearing compression clothing is in the gym or on an athletic field.  I have never thought of it for golf. However, more and more golfers seem to be gravitating to this form of clothing.  Does it help or hinder your swing and, ultimately, your score?  The answers were surprising to me.  Read on as Ron Kaspriske of Golf Digest reveals his research on the subject.  There is good news and bad news.  The bad news first.

 

Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC.

 

The Good News.

Compression clothing is among the fastest-growing athletic-gear genre. Whether it's shirts, shorts, leggings or sleeves for elbows or calves, there is a huge demand in skin-tight products that claims to improve performance, prevent injuries and aid in the recovery of soft-tissue damage. Persistence Market Research estimates that the compression-therapy industry has a value of $3.2 billion.  By the end of the decade this will grow at annual rate of 5 percent.

While many golfers have taken to wearing it, such as Hunter Mahan at the 2014 Ryder Cup, several studies examining the beneficial claims made of compression wear by manufacturers over the past 15 years have been inconclusive. If you're a golfer, here's what you need to know:

The Bad News

There is only anecdotal evidence that golfers will play better if they wear compression clothing. It could provide a psychological boost to golfers, but every independent study done that looked at benefits to athletic performance as a result of wearing the fitted items came up short in drawing a conclusion that it would help.

There are many examples but to cite two:

1. An Indiana University study of distance runners who wore lower-leg compression sleeves in 2014 found, "they do not alter the energetics of running at submaximal speeds through changes in running mechanics or other means."

2. “So far there is little evidence to suggest that wearing compression garments during an event can improve performance,” Dr. Mike Hamlin, an associate professor of exercise and sports science at New Zealand’s Lincoln University told Time Magazine after conducting a study on rugby players in 2012.

That being said, if you wear a compression shirt and it makes you feel like your swing posture is improved, or if an elbow sleeve allows you to swing with confidence despite reoccurring tendinitis, then by all means wear it.  Just don't be upset if your golf scores stay the same as they were when your shorts of choice had pleats in them. Will compression clothing will help your game? You tell me!

To see what the Good News is about Compression clothing, go here!

Source: Ron Kaspriske  Golf Digest  Mel Sole Golf School

Pictures: Getty Images   Arpit Gupta

Thanks for reading - Will compression clothing help your game?  I would love to hear some comments on this!

Related Posts.

Preparation for Playing in the Cold – Technical Thursday #72.

The oldest player to win a Tour event? Clue. He won at Greensboro!

TacTic Wrist Aid.

Did you know Golfers Live Longer?

Wedge Launch Angle – Short game Saturday #66.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL, LIKE THIS VIDEO, SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND, LEAVE A COMMENT!