Golf Strength Exercises

Golf Strength ExercisesCan You Benefit

From Them





Golf strength exercises are a must for any golfer wanting to improve power output;

decrease injury; improve accuracy and consistency, and slow the effects of the aging

process for senior golfers.



There is more and more information coming out about golf strength exercises, but some

of it is a bit misleading. What constitutes golf strength exercises? And what are the

benefits of doing them once you recognize the difference between golf strength exercises

and general fitness exercises?



First offa sport specific approach is needed. In analyzing the physical requirements of

the golf swing, we know several things right up front.



It takes place on your feet. You are in a very dynamic and athletic body position (golf

posture). You maintain this position while you swing a 3 foot long lever at up to 100

mph. There is a definite sequence of motion required. Maintaining balance, stability and

coordination are a must.



Okaynow that weve briefly recognized just some of the physical requirements for an

optimal golf swing, what would be the approach to your golf improvement program?



Since the golf swing takes place on your feet, you would definitely want to do many of

your exercises on your feet. Doesnt that make sense? Since you are in a dynamic (golf

posture) position, you would want to strengthen the muscles that help maintain this

position.



Because golf is a turn back (rotation) and a turn through (rotation), you must focus on

both core strength and flexibility from a rotational standpoint. Not doing so, will slow

your golf improvement and not give you the results you were hoping for.



Balance is critical to maintain a consistent swing with optimal mechanics, therefore you

would want to challenge and improve your body awareness. This entails doing exercises

on unstable surfaces; isolating just one side of the body, then the other to balance it out;

and using many different modes of resistance (for example bands, handweights, stability

balls, medicine balls, and even body weight).



Along with balance is stability. They go hand-in-hand, and in order to improve stability,

you need to work on strengthening your lower body, specific to the dynamic movement

of the golf swing. This would be from a lateral (side-to-side) motion, to a definite

rotational (turning) motion. Training your lower body to improve stability is a must to

produce repeatable shots.



We cannot ignore golf-specific flexibility in regards to utilizing golf strength exercises.

But the type of flexibility needed is once again, dynamic. I hate to keep using that word,

but the golf swing, is not like other athletic movements. Being in golf posture and moving

that club at up to 100 mph takes a tremendous amount of flexibility in the major joints of

the body.



Stretches that are most effective are movement oriented stretches, not static (holding)

stretches. Improving your range of motion, with motion stretches is the only way to go.

Taking a look at body positions throughout the swing will give you a better idea of the

types of movement stretches you need to do to maximize your bodys ability to produce

consistent power.



None of the above can be attained sitting in a stationary machine in a gym. I hate to burst

your bubble. Dont get me wrong. Any exercise is better than no exercise; but if you want

to make better use of your time, youve got to participate in more golf strength exercises,

than machine (general) exercise.



So next time a golfing buddy says he/she is training for golf; ask them what kind of

exercises they are doing. Youll now know if they are truly golf strength exercises.

About the author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance experts in the

country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide -

http://www.ultimategolffitnessguide.com and founder of several cutting-edge online golf

performance sites. Visit his new golf swing improvement site at

http://www.performbettergolf.com Source: www.isnare.com