The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI)is a program aimed at developing the fitness of golfers. The program is highly respected in the golf world because of the research into the dynamics of the golf swing. Because of the TPI reputation, many trainers and golf professionals choose to enter the program and become a TPI certified golf fitness instructor. The TPI course is a three-level education course with different tracks including the Fitness Professional track, the Golf Professional track and the Medical Professional track.
Level One Certification
Regardless of your chosen track, you must complete the standard level one course. Level one training involves a 16-hour workshop in which you will learn about the major physical factors that prevent players from reaching their potential. You will also learn how to perform a golf fitness assessment and based on the results, prescribe a program of exercises and drills to improve a player's physical conditioning. After completing the workshop, you must take an online test to become a level one TPI certified instructor.
Advanced Track Fitness Professional
To continue to level two of the Fitness Professional track, you must complete level one and hold a degree in some aspect of physical fitness such as personal training certification or exercise physiology. Level two continues to deal with physical issues such as the use of biomechanics, different screening processes and advanced strength training methods.
Before progressing to the final stage of the course, you must submit three case studies, regardless of your chosen track. Level three deals with more strength development as well as balance, nutrition, program design and advanced swing concepts.
Advanced Track Golf Professional
To advance to level two on the Golf Professional track, you must be either PGA certified or an assistant professional or a college golf coach. The track aims to improve you as a coach by making you aware of how limitations manifest themselves in the golf swing and how you can coach around such issues.
Level two deals with issues such as anatomy, movement prep exercise as well as advanced screening. It also looks at motor learning concepts and how they can be applied in teaching golf. Level three focuses on 3D biomechanics, as well as the effect a golfer's fitness has on technique in wedgeplay and putting.
Other Tracks
Other tracks include those for medical professionals, junior coaches and golf biomechanists. The medical track is concerned with treating and preventing golf specific injuries as well as advanced medical evaluations. The junior golf track focuses on the interaction between children's physical development and the golf swing while the biomechanist's track is largely focused on various types of motion analysis and the use of computer software in teaching golf.
Benefits
TPI certification can benefit you on a personal level by increasing your knowledge and enhancing your development in your chosen field. On a business level, it can differentiate you from the crowd and increase your earnings. The attachment to a brand name such as Titleist, also has benefits given its reputation as a leader in the field.
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