As a very keen golfer and an exercise coach, I am always interested in showing the benefits of individually tailored Golf Fitness programs. My aim in this article is to impart some concepts that will improve your golf game and/or extend your golfing life.
The idea of golf fitness is definitely not new – Hall of Fame players like Gary Player and Sam Snead were well aware of the need to keep their bodies strong and limber for competition. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule – notably John Daly. However, given the magnitude and complexity of everything in J.D.’s life, starting him on any health and fitness regime would not be my first interest in his case. This is perhaps why he didn’t feel that eating well and working out had any benefit to him. Most high-level touring pros now have a trainer as part of their entourage. In the amateur world, I can safely say that undertaking any golf-related exercise program will do wonders for your game, regardless of what current level you play at.
In my mind there are seven key factors outside of actual skill level that influence everyone’s game: balance, power, endurance, posture, flexibility, nutrition, and mental focus. The last two are different subjects to Golf Fitness, but even just looking at the first five will directly influence your scores.
The important thing to know here is that it is of no real use to work on power, which many people like to do in the gym, if your posture and balance are of poor standard. So my suggestion is to start by testing how well you can stand on one leg. If that’s easy, close your eyes. If that’s also simple for you, block your ears too! If you can stand for 15 to 20 seconds in good posture on one leg with your eyes shut and ears blocked, then your balance through the golf swing is most likely of very good quality.
Posture is a very complex topic that I’m not able to cover in this article, except to say that the poorer your posture, the less efficiently and consistently you will swing the club. This applies to both static and dynamic posture – meaning how well you address the ball and how well you maintain good spine angle through the swing.
This leads to flexibility and strength – these are very interrelated. Just about everyone has muscle imbalances. So stretching everything will maintain the relative imbalance, as will strengthening everything. Stretching what is short and tight and strengthening what is too long and weak will help correct the dysfunction. Again corrective exercise is also complex, so becoming aware of these issues is the important step.
Golf is a very physically demanding sport, even without the walk! The combination of power, precision and touch make it unique. I hope I have helped increase your awareness for the need for fitness to be a seriously fun part of your preparation for the game.
If you have any questions regarding golf fitness & health, please feel free to ask.
Best wishes,
Peter McConnell
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