Golf Information

4 Essential Elements of Golf Fitness


Are you ready to take your golf game to a new level? Golf fitness and a whole body approach to your golf game may be the answer. Many of you have spent hours on the driving range sharpening your golf skills. You've invested a small fortune in new equipment, golf lessons, and accessories, yet you haven't seen a decrease in your handicap in years. You're not alone. Fifteen years ago the average handicap for women was 29. For men, it was 16.2. However, you may be surprised to learn it is the same number today. What accounts for this lack of improvement and what can we do about it?

The real answer lies in the basic understanding that what you are seeking cannot be purchased in a pro shop, from a local golf retailer or on-line store. The answer may be closer than you think because it lies within your current physical capabilities. The most overlooked component of improvement in golf is neglecting to factor in your physical conditioning.

There are four main physical requirements a golfer needs to graduate to a greater, more consistent level of play. Which of these physical characteristics do you possess and which of these areas need improvement?

Balance. This is an area often overlooked by golfers of all abilities. Balance plays a critical role in stabilizing the core musculature as well as adding the element of control through muscle coordination. Balance plays a pivotal role in your ability to execute weight transfer and hip rotation without jeopardizing a stable address position. Those individuals with exceptional balance will have more efficient reaction times and therefore movement speed.

Flexibility. Allowing your muscles to extend through their full range of motion is widely considered one of the most important aspects of a successful golf swing. Muscles which are inflexible can have a significant impact on all aspects of your game. The same is true for muscle imbalances. Never neglect a pre-round warm up. It will prepare your muscles for the work to come and ward off immediate dangers to tight muscles.

Strength. When muscle force or strength is applied to the ball, power is created and distance is increased. Increasing your striking force to the ball will likely yield a desirable result for any level of player. Strength in key muscle groups will offer protection from injury. Strong lower back muscles will support your position at address. Strength in your midsection will provide you with the stability you need to make the most effective separation of the hips from the shoulders in producing the power you seek. A strong body creates a powerful swing, a strong mind, and a fit body.

Endurance. Golf has always been thought of as a sport based on skill, requiring minimal fitness. While the cardiovascular requirements for golf are not extensive, they are critical in maintaining adequate levels of energy and maximal levels of concentration. In the absence of a sound cardiovascular routine, physical fatigue can easily lead to mental fatigue. Mental fatigue then gives way to skill deterioration.

Use your body as your most prized possession and your greatest resource as you build a foundation for better golf. Factor in your current physical conditioning by using a whole body approach and you will see a lifetime of benefits in increased performance, longevity in your favorite sport, and a physically fit body worthy of recognition.

Susan Hill is a CHEK Golf Biomechanic and President of FitnessforGolf.com, a private, member's only, online golf fitness website dedicated to the improvement of golfers worldwide. For more information on golf fitness training, visit http://www.fitnessforgolf.com


MORE RESOURCES:

GolfDigest.com

Kim, Villegas lead charge for PGA Tour's young stars
USA Today - 2 hours ago
Actually, Garcia arrived on golf's grand stage at 19 when he nearly chased down Tiger Woods at the 1999 PGA Championship and a month later was 3-1-1 as the ...
PGA Tour Commissioner Finchem to appear on Golf Channel tonight Examiner.com
Golf: Fiji's Vijay Singh to undergo knee surgery Channel News Asia
Picture Gets Clearer With GOLF CHANNEL Now in High Definition PR Newswire (press release)
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Sports Network
all 400 news articles


Slippery Brick

How Can a GPS Help Your Golf Game? Ask Garmin
PC Magazine - 9 hours ago
The only thing caddies have to do is carry the bag. by Craig Ellison LAS VEGAS—If you want to slice a few strokes off of your golf game, Garmin's new ...
New Garmin GPS unit helps your golf game Slippery Brick
Garmin® Goes Golfing with Approach™ G5, New Touchscreen GPS Device ... WELT ONLINE
all 43 news articles


Disc golf referendum might face legal question
MSNBC - 6 hours ago
CHICO -- A referendum seeking to keep disc golf courses in upper Bidwell Park faces a legal issue that could potentially allow the Chico City Council to ...
City Council Changes Mind About Disc Golf Newstalk1290 KPAY
City Council Votes To Restore Disc Golf In Upper Bidwell Park KHSL
Council takes on disc golf again Enterprise-Record
KHSL - Enterprise-Record
all 9 news articles


Xerox Golf Classic Won’t Run This Year
13WHAM-TV, NY - 3 hours ago
(Rochester, NY) – Xerox has decided to drop its sponsorship of the PGA this year, and move those marketing dollars into other areas. ...
Xerox Classic golf tournament goes on hiatus Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Xerox Classic goes on hiatus for lack of sponsor The Associated Press
all 87 news articles


SkySports

Golf-Recovering Seve targets return as Royal Trophy captain
Reuters.uk, UK - 12 hours ago
BANGKOK, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Seve Ballesteros is planning to return to golf next year as captain of Europe's Royal Trophy team after starting rehabilitation ...
Olazabal: European skipper SkySports
Olazabal wary of Asian threat in golf showpiece Golfonline
Europe urged to win for Seve The Times
European Tour - Reuters.uk
all 229 news articles


Troubled Collins Hill Golf Club open, but with ‘skeleton crew’
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 2 hours ago
By PATRICK FOX The Collins Hill Golf Club is still open, but things are no better than they were last month when the governing board asked the county to ...


Golf tips for Barack Obama
Los Angeles Times, CA - 2 hours ago
Barack Obama, a southpaw, will be the 15th US president to play golf, but Obama's game is nowhere close to being an amateur version of lefty Phil ...


Carbriwalk buys Mobile golf vacation firm
Bizjournals.com, NC - Jan 6, 2009
The Fairways, founded in 1990 in Mobile, sells golf vacations in North America. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The company will be rebranded ...
Business Briefing Press-Register - al.com
all 4 news articles


Oneindia

New golf clubs causing hearing loss
Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - 2 hours ago
TECHNOLOGY DRAWBACK: A British Medical Journal report has concluded that new thin-faced golf drivers may produce sufficient sound to induce temporary, ...
Study on golf driver sounds more a bust than a sonic boom Examiner.com
Loud Golf Clubs May Damage Hearing LiveScience.com
Study finds loud golf clubs can damage hearing WIS
About - News & Issues - Register
all 64 news articles


Body Found Near Golf Course
KEYT, CA - 4 hours ago
Pismo Beach, CA-- The body of man was found Wednesday morning near the entrance to the Pismo Beach State Golf Course. San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's ...
Dead body found near Pismo Beach State Golf Course San Luis Obispo Tribune
Body discovered on the Pismo Beach State Golf Course KSBY
all 3 news articles

Golf - Google News

home | index |site map
© 2006