Golf fitness is a topic that is not given enough attention to in regards to game improvement. There are a number of ways that a golf-specific workout plan can improve your performance on the course. More importantly, it will help you live longer and increase the quality of your daily life. Why You Should Be Exercising Before we get into the golf-specific benefits of a workout routine, let’s talk about why you should be exercising in general. The list of benefits is long, and nothing short of incredible. Regular physical activity has been proven to accomplish the following, according to the Centers for Disease Control:
Control your weight
Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease
Reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
Strengthen your bones and muscles
Improve your mental health and mood
Improve your ability to do daily activities and prevent falls, if you’re an older adult
Increase your chances of living longer
Reduce your risk of some cancers
If you have been putting off exercise I can tell you from personal experience it is one of the best things you can do to improve the quality of your life. Injury Prevention The most common injuries for recreational golfers can all be reduced or prevented by strengthening your body and warming up properly. Typically recreational golfers will have lower back issues, tendinitis, and muscle and joint pain throughout their body. The golf swing can put a great deal of stress on your body, and if you lack the proper strength and flexibility there is a greater chance you are going to experience pain or injury. There is nothing worse than having to take a forced break from golf because your body is not cooperating. One of the best things you can do before your rounds or practice sessions is to perform dynamic warm ups. The classic static stretching routine has mostly been disproved to prevent injury. Many injuries can be avoided by simply getting your body ready properly beforehand. In terms of golf fitness, a workout routine can absolutely reduce your chances of injury. When your muscles are stronger they will protect your joints from all the pressure the golf swing exerts on them. Having strength in your lower body, core, and upper body serves as an insurance policy that will keep you on the golf course longer with less pain. Adding Power to Your Swing Every golfer wants to know how to hit the golf ball farther. Most players won’t do it properly though. All things being equal, if you can increase your swing speed then you will add distance to your shots. However, if you just try to swing harder without doing any kind of proper golf fitness routine, then it is likely you will either injure yourself or harm the quality of your swing. This is where fitness can absolutely help. When you increase your overall strength and flexibility then it will be easier for you to add swing speed without feeling like you are. Simply put, if you want to give yourself a chance of adding power to your game it is going to be incredibly difficult to do it without some form of exercise. Control Too! Hitting the ball farther is great, but you also want to keep it in play. The golf swing is an extremely complex movement and requires control of your body to see success. This is probably the most underrated benefit of taking on a golf fitness routine. Many golfers are unable to make smooth, effortless swings because their bodies are extremely tense on the course. Some of these players might already be strong, but they don’t know how to translate this strength to the golf swing. Learning to do controlled strength exercises that are focused on golf can help. The most important thing for golfers who are doing strength training is to learn how to do everything in a controlled, but a relaxed movement. This means not gripping too tightly, engaging muscles all throughout your body rather than just one spot, and being efficient with the energy you expend. Learning to do this in the gym can yield major benefits on the course.