If any of you watched the amazing battle between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at  Doral recently, you watched one of the most memorable and exciting golf matches of all time.

Although there were so many factors that were paramount in Tiger’s victory, power was certainly one of them. Tiger had an eagle on the par-5 12th hole that was a direct result of putting the ball on the green in two strokes. Phil countered that power move with his longest drive on the 13th to birdie. So went the day: Clutch chips and putts were seen scattered amidst power, power and more power.

Never in the history of golf has the ball traveled so far and the power of the players been so significant. The courses are longer, the players are bigger and stronger, and finesse has become an afterthought. Within the last decade, talk of hot dogs and beer at the turn has been replaced with analysis of the players’ workout routines. Fitness has arrived in the golf world, and its impact has been more than noticeable.

Golf is one of only a few sports that participants cannot “play their way into shape.” Most of the 30 million golfers in this country have never trained or conditioned themselves to improve their scores. Taking a few lessons, buying new equipment and going to the driving range has been the normal formula for improved performance in one’s game.  Education and awareness have made fitness a key ingredient in that formula within the past decade, not to mention the success of David Duval and Tiger Woods as a direct result of their fitness routines.

The key to a good golf fitness program is to generate strength that you can use. A strong core, a stable base, and a strong and flexible upper body are the goals.

Training should focus on working in all planes of motion. The golf swing requires strength through a full range of motion, which means performing exercises that duplicate the same muscle action as the swing. Another very important factor is how one-sided golf is. Like tennis, golf is performed using predominantly the same side of the body. Therefore, it is very important to perform exercises that counter balance the body.  Repetitive movements without proper conditioning very often result in overuse injuries.  In golf, lack of flexibility and strength results in undue strain to the shoulder joints and the lower back.

An assessment consisting of tests measuring rotation, flexibility, posture, and stability should be given prior to the start of any conditioning program. With many golfers having restrictions in their hamstrings, hips and shoulders that prohibit a successful swing, optimal flexibility is a necessity. 

A fit golfer is a much more consistent golfer and in golf, we all know how difficult consistency can be. At the Healthplex^® Sports Club, the Personal Training department offers sport-specific training for golf. This training includes an assessment and complete conditioning program, including flexibility.