Last updated on: 5/1/2014 | Author: ProCon.org

Neil Wolkodoff, PhD Biography

Title:
Medical Director at the Denver Center for Health & Sport Science
Position:
Pro to the question "Is Golf a Sport?"
Reasoning:

“There are a lot of ways to define a sport. But we know that the golf swing uses almost every muscle group in the body. We know it uses a pretty significant amount of energy — not as much as running a 10K but more than people think. And one significant measure of a sport is whether physical training improves your ability to perform, and I think that’s been proven in golf.

So in my estimation, it’s absolutely a sport.”

Bill Pennington, “A Little Scientific Research for All Those 19th-Hole Debates,” nytimes.com, Aug. 10, 2010
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Medical Director, Colorado Center for Health & Sport Science
  • Former Medical Director, Denver Center for Health & Sport Science, Rose Medical Center
  • Exercise physiologist and director of education, Pro-Rehab & Fitness Center
  • President, Energy Zone
  • Book review editor and columnist, Fitness Management Magazine
  • Level 200 certified ski coach, US Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA)
  • Golf conditioning consultant, University of Colorado and University of Louisville
  • Former consultant, Denver Broncos
  • Former consultant, Vail Ski School
  • Former Program Director, Denver Center for Health & Sport Science, Rose Medical Center
  • Former editor and a member, certification committee, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
  • Former editor and a member, certification committee, ACE: Clinical Exercise Specialist (ACE)
  • Former member, certification committee, National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
  • Former State Director, Colorado NSCA
  • Recipient, State Director of the Year award, NSCA
Education:
  • PhD, school unknown
Other:
  • Holds advanced certifications from the American Council on Exercise, American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, US Weight Lifting Federation, and Pilates Method Alliance
  • Has presented at international fitness and sports science events
  • Has trained NFL, NHL, MLB, and Olympic athletes
Quoted in:
Pro & Con Quotes: Is Golf a Sport?