Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka are two of the best-conditioned player-athletes on tour, and their trainer, Joey Diovisalvi, believes it is no coincidence that their work has translated into titles. Johnson and Koepka have won the past two US Open Championships at Oakmont Country Club and Erin Hills Golf Course. The US Open is golf’s ultimate test, designed to push players physically, mentally and spiritually. Not only do golfers need to put work in on the range, but putting work in at the gym is also essential.
With their trainer Joey D, Johnson and Koepka perform drills to enhance their explosiveness, like slamming a 20 lb. medicine ball against a wall in a motion that mimicked the golf swing, pushups, made more challenging by having their feet dangle from resistance bands, deadlifts, squats and high velocity cardio. Brisk bike roads and paddleboard sessions are used to cool down. This work helps to keep them physically fit and increases the power in their swings.
With power as the foundation for both of their games, Johnson (second on Tour in driving distance in 2017, at 315 yards) and Koepka (311.1; 7th) can attack the par 5s for more birdie opportunities – longer drives leave for shorter irons into approach shots, allowing them to be more precise to small targets. And overall faster clubhead speed allows them to escape the thick, punitive rough more easily, putting more spin onto their iron shots to hold hard, undulating greens.
Time in the gym is definitely something that is a result of the “Tiger Effect.” He’s definitely redefined modern golf and pushed all of his peers to be better on and off the golf course, particularly this new generation of stars who have watched Tiger dominate the sport while growing up.
Source: Golf.com
