Howard recognized by Golf Digest as one of top 50 fitness pros

By Ken MacLeod

Fitness guru Clint Howard has been named one of Golf Digest’s Top 50 Fitness Professionals for golf in a new category by the national publication.

Howard owns and operates Tulsa Fitness Systems in Jenks and specializes in training golfers (www.golffitnesssystems.com).

He has worked extensively in the past with PGA Tour professional Bo Van Pelt as well as the collegiate programs at Oklahoma State University and the University of Tulsa. Many top amateurs and just casual golfers use Howard’s methods to improve their balance, core stability, flexibility, speed and strength.

The mention in Golf Digest has brought some new clients, Howard said, including from as far away as Fort Smith, Ark., and Oklahoma City.

“It’s really neat to be recognized on a national level and we’ve received quite a bit of reaction,” Howard said.

“Some of the main things for golfers are to do drills to keep the hips stable, allow for more shoulder rotation and to activate the glutes,” Howard said. “We get a lot of golfers with bad posture, rounded shoulders and we emphasize drills to help correct that. A big key is to improve balance and a big emphasis today is on speed, which can lead to increased distance.

“Everyone wants more speed, so we’re doing a lot with really light medicine balls, speed clubs, jumping and a lot of throws.”

Howard has consulted and learned from Joey Diovisalvi, who trains Dustin Johnson, Keegan Bradley and others, as well as other top golf fitness trainers.

“You’re constantly learning,” he said. “We’ve all learned under the same people the last 10 years, so there’s a lot of sharing of ideas and information.”