Knowhow-Now Article

Golf Workouts Can Transform Your Game

I’m sure by now you’ve heard most of the professional players; both men and women actively participate in golf workouts. It’s no secret. But why then do most amateur golfers ignore this? Is it because it seems like work? Or, does the thought of actually breaking a sweat get you tired already?

Tip: Spice up your next round with the guys by putting a little reward on the line. It may be that the loser treats everyone to a round of drinks or lunch - this will definitely add some competitiveness to the game! It doesn't have to be a lot to bet on, it might just add some fun and excitement among your golf friends.

Either way…the proof is in the bag. The number one player in the world, Vijay Singh, does his golf workouts all the way through Sunday of each tournament. Does it look like it’s hurting his game? I don’t think so. Back in 1997, a young, very athletic golfer came on the professional scene and blew everyone away. I think you know who I’m talking about.

Tip: A good tip to improve your golf swing is to use your whole body for power. Novice golfers think the power comes from the arms, but only using the arms can make weak and awkward swings.

Tiger took golf to another level. A real eye-opener for the veteran players who were hitting the 19th hole after every round…and the last thought on their mind was “exercise”. What a wake-up call to be totally dominated by a player who was only 20 years old at the time.

Tip: Warm up by using a lofted iron like an 8- or 9-iron, or even a pitching wedge. These are the clubs that will get you in your zone and give you confidence as you move up to using the more difficult irons and woods.

How about the year Annika Sorenstam shot a 59 and totally dominated the LPGA? Do you know what she attributes it to? Golf workouts! She hired a trainer and got serious about her fitness. And look what happened? She hasn’t looked back since. She just recently came out with an instruction book and devoted a chapter to golf workouts.

Tip: Mental preparedness is as critical in a good game of golf, as is physical preparedness. Allow your game to consume your thoughts--leave work at the office.

To my recollection, that’s the first women’s instruction book to include golf workouts. Working out to playing better golf isn’t just for the guys; Annika has proved that. Now more LPGA players are working out to try and catch her, just like the guys did with Tiger.

Tip: Wiggling your toes can determine whether your golfing stance will be effective. If it is hard to move one's toes as the swing begins, it means one is pressing forward too much.

How about the senior tour? Now players are realizing they can still make good money, even after they’ve turned 50 and can’t really compete with the young guys anymore. With the money at stake, they too are all working out. This group of players both amateur and pro is the biggest demographic that needs it the most.

Tip: As you get into position to prepare swing, allow your hips to move freely; this allows you to transfer your weight from your back foot to your leading foot. This should significantly increase the power behind your swing and subsequently the distance the golf ball travels.

With age comes a decline in both flexibility and strength. When the body declines, the swing goes right along with it. The result is a big loss in yardage, more mishits, and ballooning scores. The end result…frustration! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve played with and received phone calls from older golfers who are just about ready to quit the game.

Tip: Avoid tensing up before you address the ball. This is a common mistake made by novice golfers.

They are SO frustrated at this rapid decline, that golf’s not fun anymore. But there is hope. The answer? Get your body moving just a little better. How? By participating in golf workouts that focus on golf-specific strength AND flexibility. It’s amazing to see golfers in this age bracket dramatically improve their driving distance, accuracy and scores.

Tip: Be able to differentiate between golf clubs if you want to become a successful golfer. If you are knowledgeable about the appropriate time to use each one, like irons, wedges,putters and woods, you will be able to improve your game considerably.

You don’t have to accept that with age, your body declines. No way! You’ve got to fight it all the way! I’m dead serious. The ones who do, are the ones who are enjoying the game again and taking all the money in their foursome.

Tip: It's important to keep your eye squarely on the ball. While focusing on the ball will improve your performance in any sport, it's especially effective when golfing.

What is a golf workout anyways? Is there such a thing? You bet there is. The golf swing is an awkward movement that puts a tremendous amount of stress on the body. To prevent injury and improve swing speed and distance requires your body to be both strong and flexible specific to the swing.

I could spend dozens of pages describing what this entails, but for the sake of this concise article, let’s keep it simple.

Tip: If you get to a point where you notice that your swing is simply too quick, try relaxing your grip. This solution helps the club head to feel a bit more heavy throughout the swing, and it can assist you in staying focused mentally on your mechanics of your swing.

The golf swing is a rotational movement, with your body in golf posture. Slight flex of the knees and a bending forward at the hips. Since the golf swing is primarily rotational, wouldn’t it make sense to focus on rotational strength and flexibility? That is improving your turning ability related to range of motion and speed.

Tip: Carry a snack which is high in protein on the course with you. Eating the proper nutrition while golfing is important because the game requires both physical and mental strength.

So anything involving twisting with resistance such as a medicine ball, a dumbbell, or even a weighted club would work. You need to have a resistance to take your body beyond where it normally goes.

Tip: In order to properly swing your golf club, you need a proper grip on the club. A good grip allows you to hit the different kinds of shots.

For instance, if you took a club and placed it behind your neck, got in your golf posture and rotated back and forth; do you think that by itself would improve your range of motion or power?

Tip: Miss-hit golf balls that have been lost abound on any golf course. Don't worry about playing every shot with those fancy balls; save them for entertaining clients on the course or when you enter a tournament.

No, you need to add resistance to accomplish this. Take a weighted club and make golf swings. Now you’ll be making a bigger turn AND improving your power. Same thing with a medicine ball. Make turns back and through holding a 4 to 6 pound ball and you’ll see a BIG improvement.

Tip: Each golf club is made with a "sweet spot," which is the exact location on the club that provides you the most accuracy and distance if you strike the ball at that point. Practice with these clubs to make sure you know where your sweet spot is and how to hit it each time.

In fact, most of your abdominal work should be rotational. Doing straight crunches won’t improve your driving distance. Doing rotational movements with added weight will. This is where I could go on and on, but I won’t overload you.

I hope I’ve convinced you to take a real serious look at what all the other successful professional players are doing to stay at the top of their game. Doing golf workouts can and will dramatically change your game forever. Now get out there and get it started. No procrastinating. Do it right now!

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