What if I said you can improve your golf game without ever going to the course or even to a driving range. Would you believe me? It’s true, but you’ll need to go to a gym. There are specific, focused exercises that you can use to improve those basic principles that are so important in golf: strength, balance, flexibility and endurance.
Strength equals distance. When your upper body is stronger, you can generate a faster club head speed. But it’s not about building bulky muscles. Golf swings need explosive power. Here’s the secret phrase: rate of force development. If you have a trainer at the gym, he or she will know what that means (and they’ll be really impressed that you’re asking about it). Swinging a club and rocketing the ball to the horizon is not about raw power, it’s about how fast you can use it and how much acceleration you can give to the club head.
Strength without balance equals probably falling on your rear end. You have to be balanced well enough to keep your body mass centered over the ball. Your new balancing skills will also come in handy when you’re on the side of some ridiculous hillside or on the steep edge of the bunker. Your body’s job is to provide a stable platform for the golf swing. How do you develop the balance you need? Core exercises. Strengthen your core.
Stretching exercises are the key to flexibility. I mean more than just a few stretches before you play. Work with your trainer to come up with a stretching routine that deals with your specific trouble areas. The flexibility you gain will help you play better golf, but it could make daily life more enjoyable as well.
Endurance means the staying power to last for 18 holes. Increasing your endurance starts with losing extra body fat. And there’s no better way to reduce overall body fat than cardiovascular training. Hit the stair climber, elliptical trainer or the treadmill. Spice things up with a spin class.
Golf fitness is not just a good idea. It’s essential to playing your best golf ever.
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