Fitness: Here’s The Rub | Golf News and Tour Information [Video]

No matter what you see on the spa menu, there are only two types of massages. The first is a put-you-to-sleep massage: Swedish, hot stones, aromatherapy, Reiki, etc. The second is a grit-your-teeth massage. These are often called deep-tissue or trigger-point therapy and aren’t designed to be enjoyable experiences. If you’re a golfer, it’s important you know the difference, says Craig Knight, a therapist who gives massages to several PGA Tour pros, including Luke Donald, Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler.

You can get a relaxing massage almost anytime, Knight says, “but you might not want to be too relaxed on the first tee.”

Deep massages should be done well before a tee time– at least 48 hours is ideal, says Golf Digest fitness advisor Ralph Simpson. If you get one right before a round, you might be too sore to play, or your muscles won’t perform optimally.

Vigorous massages are …