Golf Articles

Golf Exercise Benefits

Golf exercise benefits are many. Golfers have struggled for years with their games and have become very frustrated. I cant tell you how many times I play with golfers who are about to quit the game.

To explain golf exercise benefits to a golfer takes a little convincing, but in a short amount of time they become believers. There are so many I cant possible list them all in this article, but you will be motivated to take this approach.

Some of the main golf exercise benefits are; improved power for longer drives; dramatically improved stability for better consistency; a body that moves freer, removing tension from the swing; more energy for 18 holes; elimination of injuries; weight loss; improved concentration due to a reduction in fatigue; I could go on-and-on.

Improved Power For Longer Drives

If your body is weak and inflexible you will not be able to achieve optimal swing mechanics. Such things as a full shoulder turn, with minimal hip rotation; creating and retaining torque (energy) in your core for maximum clubhead spead; proper sequence of motion with muscles firing at the appropriate time; being able to swing just a little harder on long par 5s and still be in control.

Removing Tension From The Swing

When you improve your flexibility (range of motion specific to your golf swing) you are able to make a full backswing with no tension in the supporting muscles of the swing. Like the shoulders, lower back, upper back (lats), and even the wrists. It is known in most athletics that less tension equals more power.

More Energy For 18 Holes

One of the biggest culprits of back nine blow-ups is loss of energy resulting in poor mental confidence and swing mechanics. I see this one all the time when I playgolfers who are out of shape and lack appropriate fuel intake and maintenance. Having energy for 18 holes builds tremendous confidence and a higher level of play.

Elimination Of Injuries

Golf injuries are prevalent among all amateur golfers, especially senior golfers. The golf swing is a damaging movement on the human body. Swinging a club between 80-100 mph in less than a second can be traumatic. Golfers who dont have an adequate level of golf strength and flexibility are susceptible to injury every time they swing the club. The lower back usually takes the brunt of the stress and strain. Then hips, knees, shoulders and even wrists. A stronger, more flexible golfer will avoid injuries indefinitely.

Weight Loss

I have worked with over 10,000 golfers via my online golf performance website and they all fill out an initial golf fitness profile. Since I review every one of them personally, I see how many of them have weight loss of 10-30 pounds as a goal. There are more overweight golfers on the course than fit ones. This is because golfers have not come to the conclusion the fitness plays a critical role in golf performance. Exercising will not only improve lean muscle, but melt fat away. To not only improve their golf, but lose weight is icing on the cake for any golfer.

Improved Concentration

How many times have you had a good score going into the back nine only to have a couple of blow-up holes that ruined your score? It happens all the time. Why? Because your body fatigues and your brain doesnt maintain a high enough level of concentration. The result is poor club selection; swing mechanics and diminishing confidence. A fitter golfer will always have the edge over an out-of-shape one. When the round progresses and tension creeps in they will prevail every time.

The above are only a few golf exercise benefitsbut enough to hopefully convince you that its worth looking into. The golf swing is now being viewed as a very athletic movement, like baseball, tennis, etcand should be approached from a conditioning emphasis. I hope you now realize the return on investment from these golf exercise benefits.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country. He is Golf Magazine's fitness expert at GolfOnline.com, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

Related Links:

52 Ways To Stop Your Slice

A Golf Fitness Coach Equals Great Golf

Improving Your Golf Game, the Optimal Recipe

Latest Golf News

About.com Golf
Get the latest headlines from the About.com Golf GuideSite.

• Two-Stroke Penalties and Unusual Aces
  7 Sep 2008 at 4:31am
  There have been several notable holes-in-one recorded lately, but we'll start with a fairly "routine" one (if an ace can ever be considered routine) because of what it followed. And...
  
• LPGA Backtracks on English-Language Policy
  5 Sep 2008 at 9:33am
  The LPGA today released a statement from Commissioner Carolyn Bivens announcing that the tour has revised its recently announced policy requiring its members to demonstrate English proficiency within two years...
  
• New Photos: Valhalla Golf Club
  5 Sep 2008 at 5:58am
  Valhalla Golf Club near Louisville, Ky., is the site of next week's Ryder Cup. It's a Jack Nicklaus-designed course that has previously been the location of two PGA Championships, a...
  
• Tommy Bolt, US Open Champ, Dies at 92
  3 Sep 2008 at 7:43am
  Tommy Bolt, a 15-time winner on the PGA Tour and the 1958 U.S. Open champion, died Saturday at the age of 92, it was announced today. Bolt is considered by many...
  
• More Vijay
  3 Sep 2008 at 6:01am
  Earlier in the week, we noted that Vijay Singh has tied Phil Mickelson on the list of all-time PGA Tour career wins. Both players have 34 tour victories at this...
  
• LPGA Addresses New Language Policy
  3 Sep 2008 at 5:08am
  For the first time since Golfweek broke the story last week about its new policy that threatens players with a suspension if they are unable to demonstrate sufficient English-language skills,...
  
• Child No. 2 on the Way for Tiger and Elin
  2 Sep 2008 at 9:51am
  Congratulation to Tiger and Elin Woods, who are expecting their second child. Woods made the announcement on his Web site Tuesday afternoon, writing: This has been a year of contrasts. I...
  
• Azinger Fills Out US Ryder Cup Team
  2 Sep 2008 at 5:17am
  At a news conference Tuesday morning, Paul Azinger announced his four captain's selections to the U.S. Ryder Cup team. And they are: Steve Stricker J.B. Holmes Hunter Mahan Chad Campbell Stricker, Holmes and Mahan were...