- Rachel Schmit
Assistant Golf Professional
TPI Certified Golf Fitness Instructor, Sawgrass Country Club

"A short story about myself......about a year ago, I met with Titleist Performance Institute trainer Mark Avens by coincidence. He was advertising a six-week golf fitness class at the gym, and working in the golf business, I was intrigued.

I starting playing golf at the age of six, in high school into college and had never heard of or learned how to stretch for golf. Through a fitness screen, I found out that my glutes (or tushey) didn't fire during my golf swing so I was missing out on a lot of power that I could be generating. Through various exercises and stretches, I learned how to fire my glutes to not only gain power by accuracy at the same time! They say seeing is believing!

If you think of the last fifteen years and the caliber of golfers say John Daly to Tiger Woods. One is a physical specimen (Tiger) and one is not (Daly). Tiger's body is so finely tuned into fitness that coming back from surgery obviously was not a problem and he will probably play golf for 50 more years! Tiger Woods really was the first face of bringing golf and fitness together to present an awesome swing and player! This last weekend, I made a trip to meet the creators of Titleist Performance Institute and took classes to become certified in golf fitness. These sessions were really exciting to me to learn how to alleviate pain in players and increase flexibility no matter the age of the golfer!"

"These sessions alleviate pain in players and increase flexibility no matter the age"

- Jack Rade

"Just a short note to say... Wow!

Mark Avens is a true professional, both as a physical therapist, a Titleist trained golf specialist and a health consultant. I have learned more in 2-months than I can outline in this note, but rest assured he has helped me feel better, exercise better and play improved golf.

I am the son a physical education teacher and high school coach, coached personally and have a golfing doctor as a brother. However, none of them knew how to attack a serious back and hip problem that I have nursed for 40 years. In fact, I played with a back brace for many years and with Mark’s help and the Titleist TPI system, I am now brace less in Ponte Vedra.

The secret is Mark; his knowledge, his communication skills and his empathy for students of all ages, even 60 year olds like my wife and I. He volunteers to come to our home, correct our exercise methodology and offers enormous encouragement no matter how stiff and uncoordinated we are.

I recommend Mark and Integrative Golf Fitness without reservation and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have when considering working with him and his associates."

"I recommend Mark and Integrative Golf Fitness without reservation"

- Russell Knox
2008 Hooters Tour Rookie of the Year

"I have been working out with Mark for most of the summer now and I feel great. Mark has taught me so much about golf specific fitness, and put me through lots of challenging workouts. Traveling the country playing professional golf has been extremely taxing on the body, and working out with Mark has made this a lot easier. I feel fit and strong, while playing and traveling which is definitely a huge contributing factor to the success I have had on the 2008 Hooters Tour. My body has become stronger and a lot more efficient. I can practice and play more now without feeling fatigued.

Another thing I love about Mark is his enthusiasm for fitness. It is obvious when with Mark that he loves what he does and that transfers over to me when I workout with him. He wants me to improve in golf fitness, but ultimately on the golf course, and that is what I want in a trainer."

"My body has become stronger and a lot more efficient."

- Jarrod Barsamian
2008 Louisiana State Amateur Champion

“Over the past couple years working with Mark, I have become stronger and more flexible. He has really helped my golf game. Mark knows so much about strength and conditioning for golfers and has taught me how to incorporate it into my practice schedule. He is able to send me a workout plan for the month and keeps me on top of it so I don’t slack while I’m not home. Even with the confidence I have had in working with him over the years, his training with the Titleist Performance Institute is proving to take my fitness to even higher levels. Now not only are we targeting certain parts of my body that need more work than others, He is helping me work through my bodies limitations with the right combination of stretches and other exercises specific for me. With Mark’s help I feel that my body can stand the pounding it takes on the golf course and not feel that it’s going be sore after playing.”

"He really helped my golf game."

- Cynthia Brink

“I've been to the boot camp for three weeks and it has really lessened the aches that I feel after golf. The foam roller is great, like a home massage! My balance has also gotten better due to a stronger core. Great program!”

"Great program!"

- Delores Adams

“Mark, I wanted to tell you how much the workouts have helped me. I have a real awareness of my body now, especially my core muscles. When I'm doing something physical, I use more of the correct muscle groups which takes the stress off my back and neck muscles. My golf game is definitely changing. I am more consistent with my swing and even have seen an improvement in my distance. As you know I also do ballroom dancing, and I have really seen a difference in my ability to do turns and moves that require greater balance. My instructor, Brent, has commented many times regarding the difference in my stability. It has made my dancing so much more fun and rewarding. Thanks, for all your help.”

"I am more consistent with my swing and even have seen an improvement in my distance..."

- Barbarra

“Rachel: Boot Camp has been just great for me, only two and a half weeks and I feel much better. It is certainly what I needed to get jump started again for my golf which really went into a slump this summer
up in VT. Also I must add that I do ski and I think that all the work outs will help with my skiing as soon as the snow flies up North and out West.

I want to thank you for your excellent instructing in Boot Camp, you do a terrific job leading all of us through drills we just love!!!  Especially "THE ROPES"!!! Many thanks!”

"Boot Camp has been just great for me"

- John Militante

“My name is John Militante. I am 68 years old and have been active in various sports. At one time I use to run 5 to 10 miles a day. I have had rotator cuff injury, herniated disc and other pains which had restricted me to most activities. Since working with Mark, I have been able to do things not possible before. He has taught me how to use my body with stretching and various other workout programs. My golf handicap (Sawgrass Country Club Blue tees) has dropped from an 11.2 to 6.9. With his help I have gain yardage off the tee where I used to be 10 years ago.

Thanks, Mark.”

"My golf handicap has dropped from an 11.2 to 6.9"

- Paula Fairley

“I first met Mark at the Sawgrass Fitness Center last November when a "Golf Fitness" class was offered there.  I had worked with a TPI instructor when we lived in Australia so I was familiar with the approach but had "lost my way" when we returned to the US.  My fitness routine consisted of walking on the treadmill and using the machines in the Fitness Center.  Maybe better than nothing but...after getting back into golf specific training, I have noticed a difference in my overall fitness plus others have noticed a difference in my golf game - more length, more consistency, etc.  The aches and pains I had felt after playing are no longer there. 

 I was thrilled when Mark and Rachel Schmit started Golf Boot Camp at the Pavillion.  The combination of a fitness professional and a golf professional is something one doesn't find in any other class.  This is not your normal "class".  Anyone can do it.  There are men, women, high handicaps, low handicaps, young, not so young.  The energy level and camaraderie can't be beat.  There is no better way to start one's day.”

"I have noticed a difference in my overall fitness plus others have noticed a difference in my golf game - more length, more consistency..."

- Sharon Kolba

“I have been working with Mark for about eight months now and I have seen an improvement in my golf swing. The ball is going much farther and my swing is much better. Mark is very dedicated to his field and very knowledgeable. He varies my exercise program so I don't get bored and can also create a program for when I am traveling. In the field of personal training, I feel he is one of the best.”

"Mark is very dedicated to his field and very knowledgeable..."

- Gleith Mann

“I am just reporting in from Boot Camp to give you my feedback thus far. I have only blown off Golf Fitness Boot Camp once (I could have been there, I should have been there, but I didn't go). Do I wake up every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and say "Yeah, I get to go to Boot Camp today?!" NO! Do I get home and say "Yea, I am glad I went to Boot Camp today?!" YES!

Why??

I feel better! I feel and see a change in my body. I am stronger, I am firmer, and my endurance has improved. What about my golf game? I am hitting the ball farther, and my balance has improved. This is good, although I am now going through having to adjust my club selection, and my timing is off due to my added strength and greater flexibility. But just wait, it will all come together for the good!

You might be asking yourself if you can do Boot Camp with whatever troubles you may have. Bad knees, bad shoulders, bad backs, age? Well, it is not easy, and you have to go at your OWN pace, but if I can do it, so can you!”

"I am stronger, I am firmer, and my endurance has improved."

- Ed Collins

Bottom Line
I whole-heartily recommend Mark Avens and his Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) based fitness program. It works for me.

On the golf side, I hit the ball longer, straighter, more solidly and (for the first time in four years) I can kneel down to read the line on my putts.

Even more importantly, my body feels better and so do I. There are less aches and pains getting out of bed in the morning. I recently spent a total of 30 hours in a Mini Cooper, driving from Florida to New Jersey and back, stayed two nights in motels and, to my amazement, wasn't stiff and sore. That's a miracle.

I would encourage anyone to give Mark and his program a try. You'll thank me.

Background
I'm a 68 year-old, slightly overweight and under-active male who has no cartilage and some arthritis in both knees, arthritis in my lower back and un-repaired torn rotator cuffs in each shoulder. I have played golf since I was a teenager and have taken loads of golf lessons. My handicap is 14.

My wife (Jo-Ann) introduced me to Mark Avens. Jo-Ann is a good golfer, who is always looking to improve. In April this year she decided to attend one of Mark's golf fitness workshops on the practice range here at Sawgrass. Jo-Ann was associated with the medical field for 25 years and is a quick study. While she was impressed with the stretching class, she was even more impressed that Mark's background, training and experience included some quality institutions.

I arrived at the practice range shortly after the class ended. When I went to say hello to Jo-Ann, I was surprised to learn that she had signed me up for a one-month program with Mark. Jo-Ann thought it would be good for me. (Jo-Ann was my high school sweetheart and she's always believed she knew what was good for me).

I was not enthused. I told Jo-Ann (and Mark, who was standing there) that I would do it only if Jo-Ann also signed up. She did.

What Happened Next
Mark came to our house and gave us the TPI screening test. It took about ½ hour for the two of us. In the screening test, you do about 10 non-strenuous movements that test your flexibility and balance. For example: touch your toes; stand on one leg; keeping belt buckle facing straight ahead, how far can you turn your shoulders left and right; keeping your shoulders facing straight ahead, how far can you turn your belt buckle left and right. Mark recorded the results on a piece of paper.

During the screening test, Mark made two comments that caught my attention. After I had difficulty doing a heel-to-toe movement on a small balance board, Mark said, "Do you have trouble going up and down in your golf swing and losing your posture?" After Jo-Ann had difficulty doing side-to-side movement on the same board, Mark said, "Do you have trouble hitting the ball far?" Mark had never seen either of us play golf. And yet he hit on key matters we had been working on for years. My interest in the program grew slightly.

Mark went home that night and reviewed our results. The next day Jo-Ann and I each got an email from TPI that gave us access to the TPI website. The website had our fitness evaluation and an exercise program to improve the areas we were weak in. As a fun thing, it also had a "fitness handicap", which you try to lower by doing the exercises.

Jo-Ann's fitness handicap was 12. Mine was 23! Although I didn't acknowledge it at the time, I felt the fitness handicaps were probably right.

The Fitness Evaluation
The Fitness Evaluation is informative, thorough and detailed. It gives the results of your screening test, and tells you what the results mean for your golf swing. For example, it might say that, "You can rotate your shoulders 30 degrees on your backswing. With this amount of rotation there can be a tendency for pulled golf shots with limited distance."

The Fitness Evaluation also compares your results with what the average touring pro can do. This can be depressing. But it makes you realize that golf is an athletic game, and the touring pros are athletes (although some may not look the part).

The Exercise Program
The Exercise Program is the guts of the matter. Jo-Ann and I each got our own exercise program tailored to our individual needs. Jo-Ann had eight exercises in her program. I had 15 in mine!

We printed out the exercises. The printout has a photo of a person doing the exercise, and written instructions on how to do the exercise.

But here's the best part. On the website, there's an area to click and you'll see a video of a person actually doing the exercise and talking you through it. That is really helpful and really cool.

The "Foam Roller"
Mark Avens will introduce you to the "Foam Roller". It's a favorite of his. It's a lightweight solid foam cylinder, about 7" in diameter and about four feet tall.

The foam roller allows you to give different parts of your body a deep tissue massage. The foam roller lies on the floor; you position yourself on top of it; and roll back and forth a few inches. The weight of your body produces the deep tissue massage.

I have become a big fan of the foam roller. It has produced results for me that I did not think possible. So far, I have used it mainly on my thighs: the outside, the inside and the top (where the "quads" are). The amazing thing is that, when I use it on my thighs, my knees and lower back feel better, go figure!

Mark says my hip and thigh muscles have become shortened and tight (from sitting a lot and lack of exercise), and it has compromised my knees and lower back. Stated differently, there is extra stress put on my knees and lower back because of the tightness and lack of mobility in my hips.

A word of caution, though, using the foam roller can hurt. At least initially. But if it does hurt, that means you need it, because your muscles are tight. When Jo-Ann uses the foam roller, it doesn't hurt her all. That's because she is loose and flexible. After all, her "fitness handicap" is a 12.

The good news is that the more you use the foam roller, the less it hurts (because your muscles are getting longer and looser). Eventually you get to the point where it just feels like a massage, I.e. good and refreshing.

The God's Honest Truth
Jo-Ann is more diligent about her exercises than I am about mine. She'll do her program at least three or four times a week. (Mark says every other day is fine). I'll do my program about twice a week (it takes about 30 minutes) and do the foam roller maybe three times a week. What amazes me are the results I've seen, with such a limited participation. To me, that's proof of the effectiveness of the program.

Finally, Mark Avens
If for no other reason, I would encourage people to try the program so they could meet and spend some time with Mark Avens. He is a breath of fresh air. I can't decide what impresses me most: his enthusiasm for his craft; his extensive knowledge of how the muscles work and interact; his ability to explain things clearly; his joy in seeing you make even the slightest amount of progress; or his practical view on how exercise can be fit into your own personal life style in a realistic way.

His manner and attitude are infectious in a gentle way. You will enjoy working with him. It will be an investment in your future.

Ed Collins

- Margaret Evans

“Mark has helped me get back on the golf course after being away from it for over ten years. Not only has he helped me realize the benefits to staying healthy and committed to an exercise routine, He’s helped make it possible for me to return to a sport that I truly missed. It even feels like I’m hitting the ball better and longer then when I played ten years ago, and I’m using the same set of golf clubs. Currently I play in the nine hole ladies group, but plan on moving up to the eighteen hole group in the near future. Thank you Mark for your guidance and expertise and helping me achieve new goals!”

"He’s helped make it possible for
me to return to a sport that I
truly missed."

- Holly Wadsworth

“The Integrative Golf Fitness training program has made a tremendous difference in the way I feel and how I hit the golf ball. I am much stronger and have more flexibility in my golf swing. I am hitting the ball much farther and straighter than before. Overall, I feel great and it certainly has improved my golf game!”

"Integrative Golf Fitness has made a tremendous difference in the way I feel and hit the golf ball"

- Craig Ross

“In the Little Red Book, Harvey Penick spoke of exercising with a weighted club and he thought that doing yoga would be good for your golf game. Almost by happenstance, I met Mark Avens, a TPI Certified Trainer, and he created a golf specific program for me.

Marks TPI evaluation and workouts have made me more flexible and more committed to improving my game. My posture, my ball striking, and my conditioning have all improved as a result of the program that he has created for me. He says that he can make me look like Tiger Woods…I told him that I would be satisfied to putt like Tiger Woods. I would recommend Mark to anyone who is interested in improving their game and taking it to the next level. Common sense tells you that you are going to play better if you are in better shape…look at Tiger, Vijay and now Phil. Working this program during the week will help you win more bets on the weekend.”

"I would recommend Mark to anyone interested in improving their game and taking it to the next level."