Dr. Drew Bishop of Capital Area Physical Therapy Earns TPI Certification
Drew Bishop, PT, DPT recently earned certification as a TPI Certified Expert from the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), the world’s leading educational organization studying how to improve player performance and 
reduce injury related to the golf swing. Since 2003, TPI has been studying all levels of golfers at all fitness levels, resulting in a trove of data that reveals the most efficient, safest way to swing a golf club.
TPI Certified Golf Swing Assessment
As a TPI Certified Expert, Dr. Bishop evaluates golfers using a movement assessment that reveals mobility and/or motor control deficits. If a golfer fails the physical screen it means their impairments may be leading to an inefficiency in their kinematic sequence (golf swing) possibly leading to poor performance, current injury, or risk of future injury.
Evaluation is based on a 16 point physical screen an as well as a video evaluation of the golf swing. This provides the information necessary to correlate physical screening findings with swing characteristics, characteristics that may be detrimental to their swing efficiency (power and consistency) and/or be causing injury). The “Lat test” and “Torso Rotation Test” are both parts of the physical screen that can reveal the cause of reverse spine angle in the golf swing. Reverse spine angle characteristic at the top of a backswing often leads to right side low back pain. Reverse spine angle can be caused by limited thorax to pelvic rotation separation as the body then has to find mobility in the frontal plane (excessive side bending).
A golf swing assessment reveals areas of need, providing the basis for a targeted physical therapy plan designed to increase player performance and reduce injury.
About TPI Medical Certification
TPI Medical Certification teaches golf-specific injury assessment and rehabilitation techniques. TPI describes golf fitness this way:
“It’s about being fit to play the game at an individual’s highest level and doing so without causing injury. It’s about understanding how a body’s limitations can influence the golf swing and how to address those limitations through the proper channels; whether it’s through swing instruction, physical rehabilitation or strength and conditioning exercise. It’s about understanding the latest technology and how that technology can be implemented to increase performance.”
Injuries related to the golf swing can be avoided by understanding how the body moves and functions during the golf swing. TPI Medical Certification looks more closely at how these injuries develop, how to access and treat injuries and how specific physical limitations can be addressed to improve performance.
Contact Capital Area Physical Therapy at (518) 289-5242 for more information on scheduling a golf evaluation or to learn more about our other sport specific training programs. Our Queensbury, Malta and Latham NY physical therapy clinics provide the highest standards in physical therapy care.
