Golf Fitness
Do you want to: Hit Longer Drives; Shoot Lower Scores; Transform Your Golf Game?
Then you need to get in shape. But not all fitness programs are going to help your golf game. You could spend hours in the gym every week and actually be hindering your golf game. A typical weight lifting routine may make you as large as a barge, but it is not going to help you on the golf course. Size and bulk do not translate into long drives. Golf is a game of balance, tempo, and properly released power. To train for this, you need a golf specific fitness program.
Golf Specific Fitness Should Not Be Ignored
by Mike Pedersen, CPT
Golf Specific Fitness is being published, courtesy of Perform Better Golf and the "Golf Trainer".
Golf specific fitness is mainstream on tour! There is no way around it! To play your best, you've got to be in better golf shape! Golf is physical and requires both dynamic strength and flexibility.
Gone are the days of the 19th hole! That's if you want to be top dog in your foursome. Instead of going to the 19th hole after your round, why not do some cool down stretches so you're ready for the next round?
There is a fitness component to optimal golf performance
I'm not saying you have to be a fanatic, but just realize there is a definite "physical component" to optimal golf performance. The demand on the body to swing a club at upwards of 100 mph and stay in your golf posture is huge.
A golf specific fitness program incorporating golf exercise and golf stretching will maximize your body's ability to produce awesome power where it counts - at impact!
What is golf specific fitness?
I can tell you it's not going to a gym and doing a seated chest press. It's not spending 2 hours everyday beating yourself up. It's not lifting heavy weights. But it does require a commitment. Just like anything else worth achieving.
That phrase, "if it were easy, everybody would be doing it" is so true.
With over 70 million baby boomers who want to enjoy life, be healthier and a big majority of them playing golf, golf specific fitness "kills two birds with one stone". A fitter, stronger body and an awesome golf game. What better way to spend your quality years?
Golf swing balance,coordination and timing is covered.
Golf specific fitness incorporates dynamic strength and flexibility; muscular endurance directly related to your golf swing; balance; coordination: stability; and a much improve sequence of timing to produce maximum power through the impact zone.
Golf specific fitness does not require heavy weights, but improving your golf swing strength is always a goal. Being stronger in your golf swing takes a unique approach that is not accomplished with a general fitness program.
The main focus should be on "rotational" strength and flexibility!
Golf swing speed is rotational.
The golf swing is a high-speed rotational movement. The goal for maximum distance is to create a higher level of torque and be able to store and unleash it at the right moment in time.
This requires a major emphasis on core rotational movements with resistance. This is the ONLY way to improve your backswing AND follow through range of motion and power. These movements should be done sitting on a stability ball; standing erect; getting in your golf posture; and even on one leg.
It kills me to see a trainer do a bicep curl with a golf client. This will NOT help your golf swing. Just take a look at the position your wrist is in doing a standard bicep curl. It's turned out very awkwardly (and uncomfortably).
Golf exercise is different than just lifting weights
Do you grip a golf club like this? Then why would you do this exercise? If you're a golfer, you wouldn't!
How about a seated chest press on a machine?
I've seen golfers in the gym doing this one.
Golf is "on your feet", using every major muscle group in your body in a certain sequence of motion. How would a "seated" chest press on a "controlled" machine help your golf swing?
It wouldn't!
Golf specific fitness will get your body moving powerfully through your golf swing for 18 holes. Your swing will become more consistent. You will add a ton of yards to all your clubs, especially your driver. And your incident of injury will plummet.
Isn't this reason enough to get start on a program of golf specific fitness?
Do you want to learn how your body is keeping you from a near perfect golf swing?
For the latest golf specific fitness information, go to golf fitness.
For more information on improving your golf swing and game through conditioning, golf swing training articles and every aspect of total golf performance, our online golf performance membership will give you all the answers you need. It's like having your very own golf trainer, instructor, physical therapist, nutritionist and more.
About the Author
Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country. He's Golf Magazine's expert at GolfOnline.com, and also PGA.com. He is an author and founder of the first online total golf performance membership site launched over 5 years ago. Learn more about his golf training membership.
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