Fat Golfers

Yep, that's me. 5'9", 33 years old, and 255. My index usually hangs around 16, but I did have it down to around 12 in the last two years. I'm embarrassed to say that my extra weight has put so much strain on my lower back that I cannot practice for more than 15 minute stretches, and walking a round is unthinkable. Don't worry, this isn't a sob story. I'm highly motivated to lose the extra 100 or so pounds and am following a pretty good plan.

I'm kinda curious what my weight loss is going to do for my golf game. Am I going to have better balance? Am I going to have better consistency since I won't have this huge gut to try to swing around? What will the increased range of motion mean? Maybe these questions are rhetorical. I'm just jazzed about the prospects of not feeling like a gelatanous blob again.

It may do everything or it may do nothing....Just because you lose weight doesn't mean that you will play better golf.  I assure you that you will feel better and enjoy the game more but that doesn't mean that you will shoot better numbers guaranteed. I've lost 50 pounds over the last 6 months and I definitely feel my range of motion increasing and my ability to maintain my swing longer in my practice sessions.  I still have to understand how to get the middle of the clubface to the ball.  Definitely shed the pounds, but understand that by losing the weight you are simply giving yourself a better chance to play good golf. It's not guaranteeing anything.

It depends on how you lose the weight.

Shrinking your stomach will allow you to stand closer to the ball and probably give you a greater range of motion which can cause your swing to feel different.

If you just restrict calories and don't add an exercise routine you may find that you lose some distance.  If you workout and continue to practice as you drop the weight you'll probably minimize the impact of the weight loss on your golf game, feel better and be healthier.

Good Luck!

Less weight, more endurance, more strength, and more flexibility will all give you the OPPORTUNITY to play better because:

you will be better able to hit your desired swing position

you'll be able to practice more

you will have better mental and physical stamina at the end of your rounds

If you loose it fast, you will find that you feel very different when in correct positions.

I would say that you can lose a stone or even 2 and not see any difference in your golf game, other than an improved fitness to walk the course. If you're talking about losing 4 stones or more, I'd be amazed if that didn't result in improved range of motion and increased speed - especially if increased exercise is part of your weight loss strategy.

Good luck with it. The golfing gains should be the least of the benefits.

Stones? Did you just step off the Ark or something?

Are you a kilophile? Considering your screenname, you ought to have a better grasp of the mother tongue. And our traditional units of measure.

Being from Canada I actually do speak the King's English.

Sorry, I just thought it was funny. I wasn't throwing 14lbs(stones).

FAT GOLFERS! you mean like me? I hear you my friend I'm 5'10" 235 and I know it affects me. I'm trying to lose weight now I was 187 four and a half years ago

Hey, don't sweat it fers...

Have you given some thought to walking 9 holes? Or at least getting yourself a cheap push cart so you don't have to put the bag on your back?

Weight loss is an amazing thing. Rewarding, often life changing. And perhaps in your case, game changing.

Just remember what I tell almost all of my patients - you can't just go on a diet or start an exercise program. You have to actually live differently .

Keep that in mind and you'll be lighter, and for the rest of your life too.

Ive started walking a 9 hole at my Parent's community. Did it yesterday with my father as a matter of fact. I used to work out twice a day and eat healthy I have battled a weight problem since I was in my early twenties I was always skinny then I gained weight. 5 years ago I decided enough was enough and I lost 60 lbs (about 27 kg) and got down to 187. This lasted about a year then I ruined it by eating an not so healthy diet and no exercise. We can do it we just have to put our mind to it. I do believe that the extra weight creates inconsistent golf but there heavy layers out there that are great. As a matter of fact I'm going to do it I'm going to lose weight again and I will let you know how I do. fersman4 you can do it too every 15 20 lbs makes a difference go for it I think you will love the results.