Me and Chi Chi

I had the honor of being on "Doctor Radio" (Sirius 114, XM 119) today on Samantha Heller's Health and Nutrition Show and golf legend Chi Chi Rodriguez was also on. 

The segment was on golf fitness (go figure) so Samantha interviewed me and we took a few calls for the first 30 minutes.

Chi Chi was on after me and Samantha let me stay so I could be part of the conversation.  He was really nice and still funny, I can see why people always loved him.

I asked him about his fitness program when he was on Tour and he said that he worked out starting in 1959.  "No one really knew because I didn't tell everyone my secrets.  Gary Player told everyone but I kept it to myself." 

He said he went to a famous bodybuilder in Puerto Rico and asked him to help him get stronger for golf.  Chi Chi showed him the golf swing and the trainer came up with some exercises he thought would help. 

According to Chi Chi, he gained "50 yards in 3 months"!!

I also asked him about what he did as a kid in terms of playing sports.  He said he played everything; baseball, boxing, soccer, you name it.  He feels that kids are playing in too many competition matches in golf and getting burned out.  Amen.

Chi Chi was known to have great hand-eye coordination, and I guarantee you playing different sports growing up was a big help.

Michael Boyle wrote a series of blog posts about kids, Early Specialization and how kids suffer from just playing one sport.   

Good stuff from Chi Chi today, I was pretty excited that he was on the show.  They are replaying it on Sunday (8am) and Monday at 2pm so check it out if you can. "Doctor Radio" (Sirius 114, XM 119)

Comments

[James]

Chi Chi is right, kids are playing in way to many competition matches, and does burn them out. However, it's not just golf, and I think it's more for the parents enjoyment. You need to remember, that just like adults, kids need to take some time off and just relax, it keeps you mentally focused and reminds you of just how much fun the game is.