by Susan Hill
For the average golfer embarking on a total golf fitness program
may sound a little overwhelming. Fitting the program into your
schedule on a regular basis may seem like something for which
you simply don’t have the time. However, it’s not
as hard to accomplish as you may be thinking. The benefits
will apply not only to better golf, but to
increased fitness
and stamina in other areas of your life as well. The time
spent can be a great investment in yourself both on and off
the course.
The major components of a well designed golf conditioning
program include: strength training, flexibility training, cardiovascular
conditioning, posture and balance training, nutrition and diet,
and injury prevention techniques for golf. The benefits of
a golf specific program are well documented. It’s a fact
that a stronger, more flexible body plays better golf. Golfers
have significantly improved driving distance, lowered handicaps,
and reduced injuries.
The first step to beginning a well planned golf program is
to adequately assess your current situation. This evaluation
should include:
• Strength and flexibility evaluation: This will help
to determines which of your muscle groups are flexible, which
are inflexible, and which muscle groups are strong and which
are weak.
• Posture and balance evaluation will help to identify
in what positions you have good balance as well as positions
where posture and balance need improvement.
• Cardiovascular evaluation will determine your current
level of endurance and stamina.
• Nutrition and diet should be evaluated to accommodate
targeted changes in body fat and weight as well as to ensure
healthy food choices for adequate nutrition.
• Injury prevention techniques for golf should also
be assessed to help improve preventative measures going forward.
Once the assessment has been completed and weak areas have
been identified, it becomes much easier to begin to target
those areas with specific training methods to improve your
level of performance. Evaluating and taking corrective steps
to improve your body’s condition will improve your scores
on the course.
Susan Hill is a nationally recognized fitness trainer, CHEK
golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. Her work
has been featured on ESPN, Resort Living and Self magazine.
For more information on golf specific nutrition, exercises
or stretches, visit http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.
