Exercising for Golf

[live4u120]

Well earlier today (Yesterday I guess, it's 3:19 AM) I was playing 9 holes with my friend Mark, and I've really noticed a dramatic increase in his distances. His swing is somewhat inconsistent, but he was using his 7 iron when I was using my 5 wood. My drives were averaging about 240-250, while his, 280-290. He's my size, but he's been working out at the gym for about 5 months now. I've noticed his score dropping much lower with this distance advantage, and it really got my wondering today:

I should start working out for my distances too. My 5 wood is giving me about 200 yards. At my home course, yardages like that just really arent enough. I'm using the wood almost every second shot up to the green. I need to figure out a daily routine to build up my muscles! So I'm asking you to point out some exercises.

I think most golfers could benefit from a decent workout routine, and I'd like to know what the best workouts are for specific golf muscles. Thanks!

[Gordon McTavish]

I've always found pushups, squats and sit-ups to be sufficient from a basic exercise point of view. But, there is a wealth of information here - http://www.mytpi.com/

[saevel25]

Sits-ups are allright, but they are not exercises that really work out what the abs are meant to do for us. The abs and lower back act as contradictory forces to keep us upright with correct posture. Sit-ups only give us 6-pack abs, but true stability strength comes from resistance training. I would work on doing Planks, Side Planks, Reverse Planks, and Russian Twists. These 4 wil give you a higher level of abdominal strength and stability.

Squats are good, they are a total lower body work out, great for the gluts. The only issue with pushups is that they primarily work only triceps and chest. You also want to work the lats and biceps as well, no weak links here. With would be pull ups are the best for that area.

[WUTiger]

One thing many golfers don't understand is the difference between strength and power . Lots of golfers who work out have strength, but not all have power (strength combined with purposeful speed).

Definitely check out the MyTPI site. It gives several power workouts.

[popeyegolfer]

I do squats, lunges, leg curls, leg extensions, calf raises, as well as some back exercises and it definitely helps my iron distance. I used to bench press a lot more but stopped because it started hurting my flexibility.

[Leftygolfer]

I've lifted for around 5 months non golf specific. I have increased my distance significantly since last year. I don't know if it is better technique or what, but I am longer. I think anything is good. Chest/tri stuff works the forarms, a huge power source. I don't see that as being a disadvantage, having a stonger chest. Look at Tiger.

[jdjanda]

I've been focused on working out for the past 6 months. Running 2-3 times per week, upper body lifting mostly focused on arms and shoulders, and core work outs specific to golf. I am seeing improvement in distance and stamina. I've noticed one big plus is I am more able to hit through a "fat" shot. I've recently started slicing my driver badly again, I am not sure if I am trying to power the shot too much and coming over the top.

[GaijinGolfer]

Core strength and balance are important for golf. Improving both of those will improve your distance and accuracy and lower your scores.

[thrasher]

I've been doing P90x for the last 3-4 months, and I am significantly stronger AND more flexible than I have ever been. Don't know if I've gained distance, too early in the year to tell, but I have a strong suspicion that I have. I would strongly recommend P90x to anybody who has 1 hour per day to devote to getting into the best shape of their life!

[JetFan1983]

I've been doing P90X for six months now and there is no question my strength and flexibility have improved drastically. I've gone from 197 lbs. to 169 lbs. (I'm 6 feet tall) I've been eating a super clean diet while also taking various supplements.

But all my golf problems are technique related. Also, work, allergies, and exercising full time severely limit my time to play golf. I haven't played 18 holes in over a year (due to injuries, winter) but I have been to the range 1-2 times a week since it's been nice out.

For me personally, being in the best shape of my life right now and having visible six pack abs, it's just been a major confidence boost in all areas of my life and that goes for golf too. I no longer wonder if I would be hitting it farther if I just took care of myself more and worked out regularly- the truth for me is I am not hitting it farther. But there is no question my overall potential to be able to smash the shit out of the ball is way higher (my best swings are farther but my average is probably the same since my swing is new and not very consistent now) and my chances of injury are now way lower. Those two things in itself is a great feeling to have.

I do plan to stop working out so much at some point, and using that time for golf instead. That will be when I really find out how much all this working out, eating better stuff will help my golf game.

I think if you're already good at golf, working out and eating better can help your game almost immediately. If you're like me and you need to have a better swing first, no amount of working out and yoga will help you until you learn how to swing the club correctly.