Golf Fitness Tips

Did you know that there is an effective way to improve your golf game that doesn't involve either a golf course or a practice range? Golf fitness can have a remarkable effect on your performance and is highly recommended for players at all skill levels. Golf fitness is more than just exercising at the gym. It consists of exercises that are specific to the game of golf and is especially designed to increase increasing your flexibility, strength, balance and endurance.

Flexibility is the key to achieving a complete range of motion during a full golf swing. But flexibility can be difficult to maintain, especially as players get older. Of course, increased flexibility not only helps you play better golf, but it makes most other life activities easier to accomplish as well. Stretching exercises will have the greatest effect on increasing your flexibility. Don't expect fabulous results from a casual stretch whenever you happen to think about it. Develop a specific stretching routine that you do on a regular basis.

When you combine flexibility with strength, you are able to drive a golf ball farther. The extra distance is a consequence of the much higher club head speed you can generate with a stronger and more flexible upper body. Strength training for golf fitness doesn't necessarily mean you need to lift refrigerators. Golf requires more explosive strength. You should look for exercises that have a high rate of force development (RFD). The real secret to a powerful golf swing is not how strong you are, but is more about how fast you can deploy that strength and how quickly you can accelerate the golf club.

Strength and flexibility won't be very helpful if you can't stay on your feet. The best way to ensure that you can stay centered over the ball is to work on developing better balance. A well-developed sense of balance can also come in handy for dealing with difficult lies, like the edge of a bunker or a steep grade in the rough. Your golf swing plane will also be much improved when you are hitting from a more stable posture. This is where exercises that focus on your core strength and lower back can work wonders.

Golf fitness could help you play some of your best golf ever. Wouldn't it be a shame if you can't last 18 holes? A full round of 18 holes can be brutal in the summer heat. Even nine holes can wear you down. And what if you travel to a golf resort and play every day? One of the best ways to increase endurance on the golf course is to reduce the amount of body fat you carry around. Most fitness experts agree that cardiovascular exercises are the best way to lower overall body fat. Time on the treadmill, elliptical trainer or stair climber is time well spent in the gym. Walking or jogging in your neighborhood can accomplish the same results.

Most golfers are not interested in spending lots of time exercising. If you're one of them, you might want to reconsider how critical good physical conditioning is to the game. When lack of time to exercise is an issue, then it's important to make every workout count. More time spent at the gym will translate into lower scores, fewer injuries and more enjoyment on the golf course.