Biggest Bang For Fitness Investment

[allin]

I was wondering where golfers who invest time in improving golf specific fitness place the most emphasis. What they base their decision on. Does it vary by age, gender or individual strengths and weaknesses.

[King Cobra II]

I only really do aerobic. Running/body weight exercises. It keeps me flexible, and just in overall great health. I don't think raw strength will do much for a golf game, because you lose flexibility.

[Diggitydog]

Ok, Fitness, now that's something I'm into. I'm not a trainer or anything but I work out 5 days per week. Basically I agree King Cobra II, sort of. Rotational strength / flexibility, solid core and powerful legs will get you the best bang for your buck. Flexibility is the number one thing that will get you hitting it further but just because you add muscle doesn't mean you'll be less flexible. Flexibility is all about stretching over a period of time. You can be ripped and still do the splits. (Not saying doing the splits helps hit a golf ball, just illustrating a point about muscle and flexibility).
I've added 20 pounds of muscle and flexibility over the last two years and without measuring I'm way more solid on my shots. We've all seen the skinny dude hitting it a ton and it has to do with how efficiently the club connects with the ball. Strength, fitness, flexibility will help you in an all around sense with your game as opposed to a pure distance tool for your driver and irons. The distance will happen but maybe not what you would think.
Injury prevention is also a huge reason to hit the gym for golfing. The more flexible and strong your back muscles are the less you'll be prone to those back injuries. Of course all things, knee joints, forearm strength for hitting out of the rough. Really the benefits are almost endless in golf and beyond.

Also I read that a stat about strong legs affecting the percentage of putts you make in a positive way. Makes sense if you're more stable.

[putterboy]

Stretching is always a key input into any fitness program - both in the warm up and cool down parts..... And as others have said flexibility is king.

[gbk56]

Aerobic exercise and stretching are usually the cornerstone of any fitness routine. For golf I think it is important because you will need flexibility for the golf swing and endurence to remain consistent over 18 holes.

[Ben]

We could use jeepthrill's input on this one.

I workout, but am into it more for personal reasons other than golf game improvement. I tend to agree with the others that say flexibility is key to a longlasting golf career.

That being said, I am really behind the eightball on my flexibility. Something I definitely need to concentrate on more. About a month or so ago I did a google search on golf strecthes and came across Greg Norman's site www.shark.com which outlined some srecthes I've tried to incorporate into my daily routine.

http://www.shark.com/sharkwatch/fitness/fitness14.php

I'm sure I could be doing more, but, its a start.

[Jeepthrills]

We could use jeepthrill's input on this one.

Thanks for the props Ben. I am an Exercise Physiologist and run a personal training club. You guys are right on target. Golf Fitness is really a secondary step of total fitness. You can do a bunch of golf specific stuff, but the key is looking at several components. Muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance and body composition are the five parts of fitness. You want to do a program that covers all of these.

I am a big advocate of cross training type workouts. Pilates and yoga are great for flexibility. Cardio gives you endurance and burns fat. Weight training and core work build strength and power. Try to work several types of exercise into a well rounded plan. With weights I would recommend a moderate rep range of 12-15 per set with the heaviest weight you can handle with perfect form. Form is the key. If you have to get sloppy or shorten your range of motion to lift it, it's too heavy.

[i-Guy]

Check out this website http://www.strengthenyourgame.com/in...useaction=Golf

I was having back problems (I have 2 bad disc's L4 & L5) and got referred to Physiotherapy Associates by my doctor. When I arrived the MPT found out I was a golfer and told me about this program they devleoped and that it is associated with the PGA Tour (he has the PGA Tour label on his business cards). He helped me with my back and started exposing me to the work outs which include flexibility but also core, lower and upper body strengthing. I have implemented this work out into my training two days a week over the Winter to see if it makes any differnece...

[tiger_who]

streching does nothing to prevent injury

[tm22721]

Three months ago I started using a rowing machine 10 minutes very night after 9 holes on a hilly course every afternoon carrying my own bag.

Core and lower body strength as well as overall flexibility have all improved dramatically.

[FIJIGolf23]

streching does nothing to prevent injury

Really? Can you prove that?

[SirMilton]

Fitness has nothing to do with scoring at golf. Heavy drinking, heavy eating and smoking are golf traditions. Remember the Scots invented golf and whisky and they are meant to be enjoyed together.

However, I believe flexibility and timing have a lot to do with the swing, club speed and striking the ball consistently.

Most of golf is athletic ability, practice and intelligence.

Lots of "fit" guys have no athletic ability whatsoever and lots of total slobs are scratch players.

Buy the Momentus weighted driver (the 275 is best) and swing it two or three times before you hit your driver during every round you play and watch your yardage increase.

[Jeepthrills]

streching does nothing to prevent injury

Not true. Stretching will help improve range of motion and reduce the potential to strain or tear a muscle. It also help to improve poor posture which along with tight hamstrings is a major cause of back problems.

[tm22721]

Fitness has nothing to do with scoring at golf.

After strengthening my core muscles, I have improved with respect to staying within footprint, maintaining posture and balance, and shifting weight correctly.

In every field of endeavor there are those with inherent talent who can escape the price of tuition. After three years of 'flogging' I can assert that I do not belong to this elite group.

[allin]

Fitness has nothing to do with scoring at golf. Heavy drinking, heavy eating and smoking are golf traditions. Remember the Scots invented golf and whisky and they are meant to be enjoyed together.

I hope you were just trying to spark some conversation. The main benefit of maintaining fitness is longevity. You will retain more of your strength and flexibility and hopefully keep off the pounds, so that knee, hip, back, ankle, and feet remain healthy. You can get away with a lot through your middle thirties but after that your performance and play will diminish. Even before that if you want to maximize your ability fitness is important. (Tiger) end of story.

[XMScott]

I just use Wii Fit.

Its goal is to teach you balance, flexablity and core strength. And its pretty fun after a few drinks with friends

[GaijinGolfer]

Personally, I try to stay in shape more for personal reasons than to improve my game. Until Tiger came along, you could say that some of the best golfers definetly werent in the best shape.
Me personally, my routine consists mostly of weight training and cardiovascular training. One day I will do pushups (as many as I can) and I will lift light weights to build the back of my shoulders and I will ride my bicycle for at least 30 minutes. The next day I will do situps and I have this forearm builder (you squeeze it in your hand to build hand strength and forearm strength) in addition to riding my bike at least 30 minutes.
I go more for lean muscle than I do sheer muscle size.

[JKilgore44]

Stretch and get a treadmill.

That's the most basic and affordable solution.

And it really amazes me how many people think that stretching is "pointless" or "doesn't prevent injuries". Stretching is a fundamental aspect of any athletic competetion. If you choose not to stretch, that's your personal preference, but please don't advocate it to everyone else.