Golf Fitness Program

[SKMoss]

I'm 53 and need to get into better shape. Don't tend to stick with programs as the goals just seem to arbitrary. "Get in shape to play better golf. Get in shape to play golf longer in my life" seem to be great motivators.

I swim, at a pretty good clip, about a mile every day, but still get winded carrying my clubs on a hot So Cal day.

Hands are sore, feet are sore, back is sore, generally just wore out. Looking for a good fitness program for golf. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Shindig]

So Cal has plenty of TPI pros if you want to see a professional ; there's also the mytpi.com website.

Also, check out these threads:

http://www.thesandtrap.com/forum/sho...t=golf+fitness

http://www.thesandtrap.com/forum/sho...t=golf+fitness

http://www.thesandtrap.com/forum/sho...t=golf+fitness

[SKMoss]

Thanks. I should have done a search.

"TPI"?

[ControlJunkie]

Titleist Performance Institute - http://www.mytpi.com/default.asp

[jonjones]

iFitness for the iPhone has a golf specific workout.

[ninetwothree]

Why GOLF fitness? half of you guys are fat, out of shape, and have awful eating habits, so why not start with something thats basic and generic. Golf fitness is very yoga and pilates based, when a basic program and running, biking, or jogging should be your best starting point.

[jonjones]

Overweight or not, cardio is essential to ANY workout program.

[Mathlete1123]

Since your swimming about a mile a day you shouldn't have to add any more cardio work to your routine. I read in a golf magazine a few years back that boxing will work a lot of the same muscles you use for golf.

[kleraudio]

Thanks for that Mytpi link, cool site!

Jim

[WUTiger]

The Titleist TPI site will discuss power aspects of golf. Lot of golfers have strength from exercising, but fall short on power potential.

Power is related to swing mechanics, equipment, and conditioning - namely strength necessary to swing a golf club effectively.

The TPI site contains a six-set gym workout routine designed to develop the physical aspects of your power.

[Chief Broom]

I swim, at a pretty good clip, about a mile every day, but still get winded carrying my clubs on a hot So Cal day.

Swimming is excellent exercise so I'm surprised to hear that you're struggling a bit carrying and walking 18 holes. It sounds like you've hit a plateau in your daily exercise routine. My guess is that you aren't exerting yourself swimming as much as you think you are. That's not to say your regular routine has to totally wear you out, but it's very easy to get into a routine that rarely changes and your body adapts to it quite well so that the benefit you receive from it decreases over time. One way to combat this is to change your routine on a fairly regular basis (every month or so). If you want to stick with swimming this would mean changing your stroke or the timing and variety of strokes you use. If you're used to crawling for a mile do the backstroke instead (or something drastic like that). A good indicator that what you're doing is working and effective is if you experience muscle soreness a day or so after your workout. If you aren't sore (not crippling sore just a nice dull ache that reminds you that you worked out) your body is fully acclimated to what you're doing and you need a change. You might also consider adding something else to your routine besides just swimming. I don't like jogging because it is so harsh on your joints and body. The last thing you want to is to start jogging and think everything is going well only to suffer an injury a couple of months into it and end up being worse off. I like weight training because if done properly it can be low impact but very effective in stimulating your muscles. Whatever you do plan it out first and take it slow. Working out is a lot like golf in that people worry more about how they look to others rather than doing what works best for them.

[SKMoss]

Chief,

100% agree. I know I had topped out with the swimming. Also know that the muscles needed to carry a body walking are different that those for swimming. To my defense the day I wrote the post it was 118* out and getting winded was going to be a given.

Started taking every stair case in the building as I wander from meeting to meeting at at work, and doing a hike in the local mountians weekly and this is helping with the wind.

I've also started looking into why my feet ache. Looks like I need some orthotics, or at least some shoe inserts.



Hands sore appear to be the onset of arthritis.

[Chief Broom]

100% agree. I know I had topped out with the swimming. Also know that the muscles needed to carry a body walking are different that those for swimming. To my defense the day I wrote the post it was 118* out and getting winded was going to be a given.

A simple way to mix up your routine to make it more effective is to do the stuff you don't like doing. Say in swimming if you really don't like the breast stroke but love crawling do the breast stroke. The stuff you like you can usually do all day long because it is easy for you (for whatever reason: your body is well suited for that movement, or you've always excelled at it so you always do it), but the stuff you don't like is hard for you and if you really focus on that you'll usually see quick results. In the gym it is easy to lose focus and not maintain your intensity (spending as much time talking as you do working out). An effective workout can be done in as little as 30 minutes, but for those 30 minutes you are really pushing yourself.

[rtbuckshot]

half of you guys are fat, out of shape, and have awful eating habits, so why not start with something thats basic and generic

Although this is very to the point, in most cases it is the truth.

Whatever you decide to do, dont leave out attention to your flexibility and balance.

[BigDaddy92]

It is a bit on the extreme but I started doing the crossfit program, they have different levels of the daliy workouts. The strenght and endurance that I have gained has really made my game more consistent, now just have to quit the bonehead go for it mentality.