Terry Fletcher, an Augusta resident and self-professed “obsessed golf fan,” and Aaron Stevens, director of golf at Woodside Country Club in Aiken, are verging closer and closer to Masters-level shots.
Their improvement at the game is thanks, in large part, to Hetal Acharekar, a licensed physical therapist and golf performance specialist at Performance Above in Aiken.
Acharekar’s business, Performance Above, on 920 Houndslake Dr,. focuses on the “3D biomechanics of your body,” she said.
Acharekar, who has a master’s in physical therapy from India, a certification in allied functional science, a certification in 3-dimensional movement analysis and performance system (3DMAPS) and is movement assessment tool (MAT Level 2) certified, uses her understanding of how the body works to help her clients with their golf swings and more.
With her assistance, clients have increased their swing distance, lowered their overall score and lowered their number of strokes.
“Working on swing mechanics varies from person to person. I do very research-based testing, and it gives me details about your mobility from the smallest centimeters to the smallest angles,” Acharekar said.
Fletcher has used Acharekar’s services for eight months and has been playing golf for 30 years – a little less than half of his 63 years. Stevens, 39, has been playing golf 25 years and has been using Acharekar’s services for four months.
Both have attributed improvements in their golf game to Acharekar.
Fletcher, in a telephone interview, described some of his improvements in his golf game thanks to PerformanceAbove.
“Hetal has me getting more pro-like shots,” Fletcher said. “My club hit-speed is now superior to most people my age.”
Fletcher added, “I can hit the ball a little bit farther and a little bit straighter.”
Her approach uses a proprietary Australian-based system that employs technology. One piece of equipment Acharekar uses with her clients is a technology validated by NASA-sponsored research, and she was using it with Stevens during his appointment on Wednesday, March 23.
“It involves how your muscles actually work,” she said.
Stevens was being trained to keep different parts of his body from overcompensating after a past injury. Acharekar made sure Stevens was practicing his breathing techniques and keeping good posture while he was using the device during his appointment.
Stevens said Acharekar has definitely helped his golf game.
“There is more to golf than hitting the golf ball. The foundation has to get stronger before you improve your game. I am improving my foundation,” Stevens said.
Stevens also said that, with Acharekar’s help, he has been getting through some injuries with a shoulder and his back.
“The pain after each round is better,” he said. “My balance has improved while playing. In a lot of ways, I have gained some stability.”
“It is like climbing a hill. You have to go one step at a time,” Acharekar said of her techniques and her client’s work.
Fletcher said, “Hetal has learned some techniques specific to golf. Plus, she does a complete evaluation to test your strength in different body parts and your balance.”
Strength that is involved in a lot of weight-lifting is not necessarily the focus here.
Fletcher said, “I do not mean strength as in weightlifting but balancing on one foot…She identified where my right leg was weaker than my left.”
He said they then began to work on that through her techniques.
Stevens also said that Acharekar was able to find his strengths and weaknesses.
Acharekar has also helped Stevens with posture.
“Better posture helps with stress. The body is in better balance,” he said.
Acharekar affirmed this as well during their session.
“I help clients focus on posture. If your posture is good, your attention on the ball is better,” she said.
Acharekar makes a daily plan for her clients each week.
“These cover mobility, strength, endurance, agility and speed,” she said. “The individualized program just depends on the person’s ability, outcome and goals.”
Fletcher recommends her services to any age group and specifically to those over 50 who are having difficulty with their shoulder turn. He said as people get older, they have a harder time with their shoulder turn in golf.
“People who love the game want to do it until the end (of their lives)…,” Acharekar said. “These techniques are helpful no matter what age you are. You can gain speed at any age.”
The physical therapy aspects of PerformanceAbove have helped Fletcher in all areas of life, not just his golf game. Fletcher said Acharekar’s services have helped his body work better in general in all areas of life, helping him climb stairs better and making his legs more efficient.
Acharekar said she helps clients mentally find calmness. ‘
“If your brain is calmer, you will do better,” she said.
The physical aspects continue the focus of Acharekar’s techniques as well. Fletcher said that the first step on that path to improving one’s body is not to regress, and the second step is to improve. Stevens said Acharekar has continued to help him recover from injuries so that he can get back on track and continue to improve power and speed.
“My goal is to get 10 more miles per hour in my golf swing,” Stevens said.
Fletcher said he highly recommends Hetal Acharekar of PerformanceAbove.
“She has a great attitude and is pleasant to be around. She is very skilled in her trade, and I think she can definitely help most people out there,” he said.
PerformanceAbove is an appointment-based business. For more information, call (803) 716-8750 or visit its website at https://www.performanceabove.com.
Ron Baxley Jr. is a correspondent for The Augusta Press.
