Golf is a sport and, from the physical perspective, a very complex and demanding sport. You should approach golf
as you would any other sport, using physical conditioning to improve your golf game. Golf requires the use of more
muscle groups, strength, flexibility and endurance than most golfers think is neccessary
To train your body for a better golf swing, you have to understand what golf requires physically, both during
play on the course and practice on the range. Practice is different from performance and your training should reflect
what you need in relation to what you are doing. Golf performance is power, strength and flexibility, while practice requires
more muscular endurance. If you don't possess the strength and muscular endurance for the correct stance at
address, you will lose your ability to maintain your posture and swing befor the round is over.
Remember what makes golf unique is that you use both sides of your body, and both sides are
active during the swing. In the address position the primary muscle groups used are upper body, trunk, lower body/ legs.
Physical training will improve your ability to maintain golf-pacific posture at address during your round. In the backswing
and forward swing a number of muscle groups become active that were not active in the stance. Golf is a unique sport
in that, in one athletic movement your muscles are required to perform with abilities ranging from muscular endurance to power.
If you neglect your strength or flexibility developement, you will not be able to make up for it with arm strength
along.
General Fitness Information
Stretching-- Perform stretching exercises daily as well as befor and after golfing.
Strengthening-- Perform strengthening exercises for you trunk, hips, legs, and arms at least 2 to 3 times per week
(i.e.,walking, cycling, weight lifting).
Do not use this information in place of good advise from your doctor or physical trainer, but only as a reminder
of what it will take for you to become a better golfer.
