FORE! Things To Remember While Getting Ready For Golf

February 15, 2011

To most people who do not golf, the notion does not inspire thoughts of rigid training. You hit the ball, you chase the ball, you drink some beer and lie about your score. However, to the serious duffer, hours are spent refining skills, yet even to them the topic of physical fitness and golf rarely get mention in the same conversation. If the average golfer spent 25% of the time they spend practicing and choosing equipment on getting in shape, it would most certainly result in lower scores on the links. Somehow, most golfers are so enamored with the distance or the perfect swing that their improvement through physical fitness gets lost.

A good place to start is the legs and glutes. Put your walking shoes on and start with a mile a day, and then escalate the difficulty to either a longer distance or some hilly terrain. Incorporating some flexibility exercises will also help. Make sure you are stretching your calves and hamstrings regularly. A common complaint you hear from golfers is back or hip pain. Many things can cause that including poor form and excess abdominal fat. Stomach fat puts a strain on back muscles and reduces flexibility. Make certain to incorporate core strengthening exercises into your routine. Using the stability ball is one way to be sure that you are targeting your transversus and rectus abdominals, obliques, and lower back. Without a good base, the most perfect golf swing in the world has no efficiency in driving or directing the ball.

Don’t forget your arms and shoulders either. The ability to control the club cannot be overestimated in importance. A light weight lifting routine in these areas can give you the added strength necessary to improve your game. Too much weight lifting can reduce your overall flexibility and cause problems with your swing. By improving your range of motion and joint dexterity, you will not only improve your game but reduce the chance of injury.

Again, FORE things to remember are:
Legs and Butt
Core
Arms and Shoulders
Flexibility

While it may seem like a chore in February, you will definitely reap the benefits in May!