Titleist is one of the most recognized brands in golf. Having one’s name attached to it brings instant credibility.
So does Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Raymond J. “RJ’’ Peitzmeier, PT, DPT, CSCS, Clinic Manager/Bennington, Nebraska, and Blake Jeffres, PT, DPT, Bennington.
The dynamic duo recently completed training and are now Titleist TPI Level 1 certified, another avenue to enhance growing individual practices, but more importantly to help Rock Valley Physical Therapy better serve the people of Bennington and surrounding communities.
Titleist TPI Level 1 teaches golf, fitness, and health professionals to evaluate a golfer for physical limitations, which can inhibit swing efficiency, durability, and enjoyment of the game.
Certification for TPI Level 1 is achieved via an extensive and thorough online program, including examination.
In earning certification, Jeffres and Peitzmeier have learned to evaluate a player’s physical capabilities using the TPI Level 1 screen, and to understand how the results of that assessment are correlated with the technical elements in the player’s swing. This helps compassionate and knowledgeable therapists like Peitzmeier and Jeffres to quickly identify key areas that can be holding a golfer back from playing their best.
Attaining the coveted certification was more about two gifted therapists better serving the people of Bennington, than enhancing their own golf games.
“I have had several golfers in the past that I have seen for various injuries,’’ said Peitzmeier, who earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska in Psychology and received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “I am not the greatest golfer, but I still know enough about the swing. With this, I was looking to be more scientific and specific on how to break down the swing and treat the issues I was seeing.’’
Admitting to enjoying all that comes with the game, Jeffres says the certification allows him to better treat patients, but also gain a better understanding of all the components of the golf swing.
“Having a better understanding the physical elements of the swing can ease the transition of rehabbing a player back to the course from injury,’’ said Jeffres. “It can also be used to help players better understand swing faults. If a player has trouble fixing a certain fault (slice, early extension, etc.) it may be due to a physical limitation. This screen can help rule out a physical limitation as the reason this is happening.’’
Jeffres also noted that the game’s popularity played a role in his becoming TPI Level 1 certified.
“This (TPI Level 1) can be used for dual purposes,’’ said Jeffres, who earned his undergraduate degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Nutrition, Health and Exercise Science and received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from University of Nebraska Medical Center.
“The game of golf is growing in popularity and participants,’’ he added. “The PGA reports one-in-seven Americans play golf. Eighteen of the past 20 major champions have undergone a TPI screen. Not everyone is trying to become a major champion, but this has value in evaluation. ‘’
Having advanced knowledge of the golf swing through Level 1 TPI certification, will allow both Peitzmeier and Jeffres to understand swing breakdowns of athletes in other sports.
“The other thing I enjoy from TPI level 1 is being able to translate this to other rotational athletes such as tennis, pickleball, and baseball and softball,’’ Peitzmeier said, while extolling the virtues of working in such a special community like Bennington.
“There are definitely aspects of my swing that I have known felt tough or wrong but didn’t quite know what to do about it or how to fix it,’’ he added. “I would try different things and occasionally improve through trial and error, but TPI has allowed me to be more specific with changes and gives me a framework on how to implement these changes with all rotational athletes.’’
Both Peitzmeier and Jeffres can better assist Bennington and surrounding communities with their new location. A celebration of that new site will take place on Wednesday, May 8, from 5-7 p.m. at 8001 N. 157th Street, Suite 103, Bennington. Event goers can meet therapists, learn the many specialties offered by Rock Valley Physical Therapy, and get acquainted with the new setting.
“Since I moved to Bennington four years ago, it has been filled with nothing but great people,’’ Jeffres said. “Bennington continues to have a small town feel as it continues to grow due to people’s pride in their community. The clinic growing means we can expand to a new space to better serve our patients with greater space.’’
And an amazing new specialty.
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller