Swimming Golf

We introduce the pace clock, but use spl and perceived effort (heart rate) to measure the “cost” of any speed increases. The easiest way to increase speed isn’t more or harder work; it’s by learning to swim any given speed more economically, freeing the energy to go farther or faster.

VERSION 1

On successive 50s, swim the same time but reduce your stroke count. Example:

32 total strokes + 50 seconds = a score of 82

31 total strokes + :50 = 81

30 total strokes + :50 = 80

The goal is to repeat the same time on each 50 while continuing to subtract strokes until you can’t shave any more from your count without sacrificing speed. Solving it will give you valuable “swimming intelligence.”

VERSION 2

On successive 50s, maintain stroke count while descending your time. Example:

30 total strokes + :45 = 75

30 total strokes + :44 = 74

30 total strokes + :43 = 73

Sample Total Immersion Practice Sets

To improve your score you need to keep exactly the same stroke length, but take each stroke just a bit faster to shave seconds. You’ll be amazed at how quickly a bit more effort can add a lot more strokes. If those strokes don’t translate into enough speed to lower your total score, you know you’ve been wasteful and can take immediate steps to fix the problem.

VARIATIONS ON SWIM GOLF

• “Play” golf with fistgloves^®. How close can you come to your ungloved scores? After several rounds with gloves on, do another round without them. Does your score improve over previous ungloved sets after “educating” your hands? If so, lock in the sensations you got.

• How many ways can you score? After you’ve established your “par,” test how many different stroke counts you can swim at a slightly higher score. If your record score is 77, can you swim a constant score of 80 at 30 and 31 and 32 and 33 and 34 strokes? Which feels easiest?

• Take your heart rate or estimate your perceived exertion after a good score. A score of 64 with an HR of 120 is much better than a score of 64 with an HR of 150.