Professional golfers on the PGA Tour understand the connection between the mechanics of the golf swing and the body. The world’s most notable players have regulated golf fitness programs that they also adhere to religiously. The benefits of such programs have been well documented in the media. Press clippings from Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson refer to golf fitness as a component of their regular practice schedule.
The amateur can learn a lot from the professionals. They can learn the importance of the body in relation to the golf swing, how golf swing mechanics and the body are intertwined, and improvement in the golf game requires the implementation of a golf fitness program.
Where most amateurs “deviate” from their golf fitness training is in the components and exercises incorporated into such a program. Golf fitness programs are quite different than “general” or “weight training” fitness programs. A golf exercise program is designed to develop the golfer’s body around the golf swing. For this to happen, certain parameters and exercises are required in such a program.
The amateur golfer must first understand the connection between the golf swing and the body. The golf swing is a complex series of biomechanical movements executed by the golfer. For the golfer to correctly execute the biomechanics of the golf swing. It is necessary for the golfer to have certain well-developed physical parameters.
These physical parameters are flexibility, balance, muscular strength, muscular endurance and muscular power. High levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power are required to successfully execute the golf swing. Many times, the amateur golfer is not flexible enough, strong enough, or powerful enough to execute the golf swing correctly.
This results in the golfer developing compensation patterns in their golf swing. The result is poor shots and high scores on the golf course. The bottom line is that a physical foundation of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power is required to develop an efficient golf swing. If the amateur golfer lacks any of these categories, the foundation on which the golf swing is built will be insufficient.
Once the amateur golfer understands the connection between the golf swing and the body, a golf fitness program needs to be implemented. A golf fitness program is different from “traditional” training programs in that this type of program builds the body around the golf swing.
A golf exercise program trains the body for the positions, movements and requirements of the golf swing. A golf fitness program doesn’t care about “beach muscles” or how you look in the mirror. Rather, a golf fitness program has the primary goal of improving scores on the golf course and the golfer’s game.
This type of improvement is the result of using exercise to develop the physical parameters of the body in relation to the golf swing. A golf fitness program will include flexibility exercises, balance exercises, muscular strength exercises, resistance training modalities and strength exercises. Exercises from all of these categories are included in a complete golf fitness program.
Understand that the drills and exercises within each of these categories are not necessarily traditional-type exercises. For example, flexibility exercises for golf are less about touching your toes and more about completing a full shoulder turn. Flexibility exercises for golf are geared towards developing the flexibility within your body to properly execute the components of the golf swing.
The same can be said for any other category of exercise and exercises incorporated into a golf fitness program. The balance exercises in a golf fitness program are designed to improve the golfer’s balance abilities in relation to the golf swing. Power exercises in a golf fitness program are designed to improve clubhead speed. While the power exercises in other programs may be geared towards improving your running speed.
Once the amateur golfer understands the connection between the golf swing and the body, the elements of the body that need development in relation to the golf swing, and the components of a golf fitness program. The final component of understanding is the golf fitness training order.
Often the amateur golfer wants more power (ie clubhead speed) in their golf swing. As a result, they only perform exercises to improve the energy components within their body. What the amateur golfer doesn’t realize is that developing golf strength, endurance or power is useless if he doesn’t have the flexibility or balance abilities to execute the golf swing. Developing the body for the golf swing requires the amateur golfer to follow a specific order in relation to her training programs.
It is necessary for the amateur golfer to first develop their flexibility for the golf swing. Second, he proceeds to increase his balance abilities in relation to the golf swing. Continue the process by building strength and endurance for the golf swing. Completing the process with power drills to improve clubhead speed. This ensures that the effort put into a golf fitness program will improve the golfer’s swing. It becomes a simple process once the golfer is educated on the relationship between the golf swing and the body. The benefits a golf fitness program has on a golfer’s swing and how to properly implement golf fitness exercises.
