Golf Fitness – Play Better Golf
Anyone who plays sport wants to improve and all golfers want to play better golf. So, how do you get to be better? As regards your body, you need to devise a programme of golf exercises that develop those physical aspects of your body which are used in the production of your strokes. It is necessary to improve your golf fitness levels if you want to see an improvement in your game. Different sports have different physical requirements, but all sportsmen need to get their body ready before exerting themselves, in order to gain flexibility and avoid injury.
Before embarking upon any kind of physical activity, you need to warm up your body. This involves getting it ready, usually by stretching and flexing the muscles you will be using. This increases your heart-rate in preparation for exertion. In order to avoid injury, this must be done slowly and progressively. A sprinter doesn't go straight into a 100 metre dash without first stretching and jogging on the spot. It's a way of telling your body to get ready for physical activity. Like a car engine, the body works most efficiently when it is at the right temperature. One reason for warming up is just that. Another reason is to gradually get your muscles, heart and lungs ready for work.
So, what are the physical needs of a golfer? Golfers know that they can play better golf by focussing on three major areas of their golf fitness: strength, balance and flexibility.
Strength in the pelvis, hips and lower back is referred to as core strength. Good muscle development in these areas enables a golfer to keep a stable base and allow the upper body to rotate in the swing. A fast upper body rotation needs to be supported by a strong base. Naturally, a player with good core strength will support a faster upper body swing more efficiently and, hence, will be able to drive further. Strength can be built up by doing golf exercises which offer resistance to your swing. This can be created through the use of exercise bands, exercise balls and dumbbells.
A golfer must have good balance in order to maintain a stable base as weight is shifted from the back foot to both feet and then to the front foot. He needs to provide a steady and solid support therefore, on both feet individually and together. Simple stretching exercises can do wonders for your sense of balance. These stretching golf exercises should be done regularly and you should spend five minutes stretching before every round of golf. Yoga and Pilates are good examples of exercises that can improve your balance and flexibility.
Flexibility is important in golf because the upper body and the lower body need to work independently while, of course, being attached. This separation has been called the X factor. This can be improved upon by incorporating some simple stretching exercises into your warm-up and cool-down regimes. Why not do some after your shower when your muscles are warm and relaxed?
These three areas of focus need to be incorporated into a golf fitness training schedule that you can realistically work into your normal week. You might consider consulting a professional trainer or visiting your local gym for some initial advice. Preparing your body to play golf is vital in order to avoid injury and if you improve your golf fitness you will play better golf.
