Golf Exercise Programs | Golf Fitness Training
Golf Exercise and Fitness Training Programs
Acknowledgments to a good Golf Exercise Program are seen on the television every weekend with the players on tour. We talk about it on the practice green and at the nineteenth hole. Why is there so much talk about fitness? Is a Golf Exercise Program really that vital? If it is, then what are the key elements that make up a good golf exercise program and how will paying close attention to them help you play your best?
The basis of a golf exercise program should be to diagnose your physical limits first through a fitness assessment, then come up with a plan to diminish and or remove those physical limitations to attain your best possible swing mechanics.
A good golf exercise program should cover five areas:
- Stretches that target the muscles used in your swing
- An aerobic conditioning plan to improve your endurance
- Strength Training specific to golf
- A Mental Game conditioning strategy
- A nutrition plan that helps you boost your energy and shed any unwanted weight
- Any Golf Exercise Program that skips any of these components will probably not be successful.
All player’s are unique in that we all have, flexibility, strength, endurance and nutrition issues that can be significantly enhanced. Here are some specific examples of things that should be included.
Stretching Increases Flexibility
Stretching before you play loosens your muscles and prepares them for your round. Regular stretching will encourage a smooth, full turn in your swing and help prevent injury.
Aerobic Conditioning
The aerobic conditioning part of a golf exercise program has to deal with the main activity: walking. You need to develop an aerobic routine that incorporates 20-30-minutes of walking at an intensity of at least 10 to 15-percent higher than you would normally walk on the course. This will give you an aerobic enhancement, helping you sustain concentration without fatiguing.
Strength Training
The strength training part of a Golf Exercise Program should address core fitness, which means focusing on rotational strength and flexibility. Strengthening your core muscle groups will help prevent injury and add power to your swing.
Mental Game conditioning
Any good golf exercise program should not over look this very important aspect of the game. It should incorporate a breathing technique to help alleviate stress and pressure. A good short pre-shot routine that includes visualization will help greatly under pressure. With practice you will become very good at it. Your pre-shot routine should be preformed exactly the same every time. This helps you focus on the shot at hand.
Nutrition
The main thing to remember here is to fuel your body with a meal of protein and carbs before you play, and then eat a couple of snacks (fruit, nuts, etc.) during the round to maintain blood sugar levels. This will provide you with adequate energy to get you through the round.
So there you have it, a short summary of a Golf Exercise Program, as you can see there are numerous things to think about and put into place. You will shave strokes off your scores and add years of play to your game. The bottom line is to get started on your Golf Exercise Program.
