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Are you too confused about weight training for golf?
There are many opinions in the golf world on whether weight training is beneficial or counter-productive to the golf swing.
On the PGA Tour it is a well-known fact that the majority of professional golfers are implementing golf fitness exercises into their training regimen. The goal of such golf fitness exercises is to improve their play on the golf course.
First and foremost, as a professional strength and conditioning coach on the PGA Tour, I see the benefits of a golf specific exercise program are well documented.
The confusion for most amateur golfers probably centers around what specific training modalities and exercises should they include in their golf fitness programs and what are the professional golfers doing.
I get a lot of questions on how are the professional golfers programs set-up, what specific exercises do they incorporate in their programs, and are the exercises in such programs similar to those found in local health clubs. A lot of people ask me if they should include actual dumbbell and barbell exercises into their golf exercise program.
The goal of this article is to provide you information on what the components, modalities, and exercises that compromise a good golf fitness program.
I will also provide you with a breakdown and sequence of a good golf fitness program.
First and foremost, I need to define a few terms to help you create an understanding of the basic goals of a golf fitness program. The main goal of a golf fitness program should be to improve your golf game through the development of your physical body. In order for you to meet this goal, the golf exercises within your program must develop the body relative to the golf swing.
At this point, I must explain a few things about the biomechanics of the golf swing. The golf swing is a total body athletic activity. Meaning the entire body is utilized to swing the golf club. Just as in baseball, you do not throw with only you’re your, but rather your entire body. The same is true of the golf swing; you swing the golf club with your entire body. This in the world of strength and conditioning is defined as an “integrated total body athletic action”.
The golf swing is easily defined as an athletic action incorporating the entire body to execute. Knowing this point, a golf fitness program must incorporate exercises for the entire body. A term we like to call “integration”. Integration is the utilization of exercises that incorporate the entire body. For example, the golf swing incorporates a rotational movement of the core (abdominals, lower back, hips, and obliques). An integrated golf specific exercise incorporating all these muscles would be a physio-ball Russian Twist in which all these muscles are working in a rotational pattern.
This is very different than isolating each muscle of the core and training them separately with isolation exercises such as abdominal crunches. The point to be made is; integrate the muscles of the body rather than isolating each muscle in a golf fitness program.
Secondly, the exercises within a golf fitness program must be “cross-specific” to the anatomical positions, movement patterns, and energy requirements of the golf swing. Simply stated this means train your body with exercises that place your body in the position your perform the golf swing, utilize exercises that move your body through the ranges of motion of the golf swing, and develop the needed energy requirements of golf.
For example, a golf swing is performed in a standing “athletic position”. Knowing this fact, it would probably be of greater benefit to perform a physio-ball squat rather than a seated leg extension for the golf swing, why? Because the physio-ball squat places your body in a position similar to a position in which the golf swing is executed. A leg extension isolates the quadriceps in a seated position, which does not train the body in an integrated movement pattern, nor in a position similar to the golf swing.
Cross-specific training results in a “transfer of training effect” onto to golf swing. This simply means the exercises you are performing directly affect your golf swing in a positive manner. One goal of a golf fitness program is to get the greatest amount of benefit from each of your exercises.
If you keep these two principles integration and cross-specific in mind when developing your golf fitness program. The choices made in the selection of exercises will undoubtedly be better for your golf swing.
Once these basic principles are understood you may begin the process of developing a golf fitness program. A golf fitness program consists of a series of modules. The modules are essentially different pieces of the program geared towards developing a specific improvement within the body. As a whole, the separate modules together comprise a golf fitness program. For example, flexibility training is one module that is contained within a golf fitness program. The goal of the flexibility module is to develop the flexibility parameters within the body required of the golf swing. Listed below in sequential order with a brief definition are the modules that comprise a comprehensive golf fitness program.
1. Flexibility Training: exercises to develop flexibility within the body required of the golf swing.
2. Balance Training: modalities geared toward improving your balance capacities in relation to the golf swing.
3. Joint Integrity Training: Exercises to develop strength and endurance in the joints of the body. Injury prevention based exercises for the shoulders, hips, and knees.
4. Core Training: Exercises to develop the required stabilization, strength, and endurance in the core region of the body for the golf swing. Utilizes a variety of modalities and equipment such as physio-balls, medicine balls, tubing, and dumbbells.
5. Total Body Training: Integrated total body strength, endurance, and power training exercises. Geared towards developing the needed strength, endurance, and power within the body in a cross-specific manner relative to the golf swing.
The most important principle to remember relative to the modules comprising a golf fitness program are the goals of each module and the order.
Training order is of the greatest importance with a golf fitness program.
Often times the golfer will attempt to develop power within their muscles before achieving the proper levels of flexibility that the demanding golf swing requires.
If you train this way, you will most likely develop power in the body, but you will likely not be able to use it effectively.
For example, if you develop greater amounts of power in the core region of the body, but don’t have the flexibility to execute a full shoulder turn. The ability of your body to utilize your increased power will be less than optimal. I can’t emphasize to you enough, keep the training order consistent as I outlined above.
Finally, the number of exercise choices you have in terms of flexibility, balance, joint integrity, core training, and total body exercises for the golf swing are too many to count.
There is also many types of equipment you can use for each component of your golf exercise program.
You can use stretch cords, tubing, medicine balls, dumbbells, and all other types of equipment within a golf fitness program. The points to keep in mind when choosing the actual exercises for your program are: 1) Do the exercises train the body in the anatomical positions of the golf swing? 2) Do the exercises take the body through the ranges of motion entailed within the golf swing? And 3) Do the exercises develop the required energy requirements of the golf swing?
If you use these questions in the decision making process of exercise selection, the final program you develop will most certainly be beneficial to your golf swing.
Sean Cochran
** The contents of this article are not to be considered as medical advice. Always consult a physician before beginning or changing any fitness program.**
This article is protected by copyright, 2006, BioForce, Ltd. All rights reserved.

What I am about to tell you may sound like common sense, but I need to say it anyway. If you want to score better on the green and improve your overall golf game, focus on working on your golf swing. Many golfers out there think that power is the answer to the golf swing, and don’t realize that the accuracy in the golf swing is where it is at. There are many places where you can find golf swing instructions: golf professionals, golf web sites, golf books and golf magazines, to name a few. Let’s take a look at some great places to get golf swing instruction.
You can improve your golf swing by following golf swing instructions from professional golf trainers. Professional golf trainers are a reliable source of golf swing instructions. He or she can personally look at your golf swing, analyze it and provide you with specific golf swing instructions on how to improve it. A professional golf trainer can tell you which area of your golf swing needs to be improved and he or she can come up with specific golf swing instructions that you need to follow. Your golf swing can improve after a lesson or two provided by a professional golf trainer. The benefit is the one on one training, while the downside can be the cost. Professional training is not cheap, but for the devoted and serious golfer, the lessons can be invaluable.
As stated above, getting golf swing instructions from a professional golf trainer doesn’t come cheap, however, and not all golfers can afford to hire one. You can still work on improving your golf swing inexpensively. For online savvy golfers, golf web sites provide golf swing instructions ranging from articles, short tips and videos. One really great resource to take advantage of is the golf online forum. Here you can meet up with other like minded golfers and share tips and information.
You can also check out the golf books and golf magazines in your local library. You can subscribe to one or two golf magazines and receive up-to-date golf swing instructions from leading golf professionals for a fraction of the cost. There are also golf DVDs you can either rent or purchase. You can follow the golf swing instructions from these inexpensive sources in your own time and right in your own home.
Lastly, here are some tips you can take with you right now and we hope that can help you improve your golf game.
Tip 1. Did you know that your grip — how you hold the golf club — is a factor that can affect your golf swing? Your top thumb must point up directly at you and comfortably grip the golf club.
Tip 2. If you find your hands hurting while you golf or after the game, you may be gripping the golf club too tightly. Loosen your grip a little and relax. If you can’t relax, your tension will affect your game.
Tip 3. Having an even golf swing plane also contributes to the success of your golf swing. The club face must be square with the golf ball upon impact if you want to hit the golf ball straight.
Tip 4. Consistency and persistence is the key. The only way to get better is to do the same thing over and over with a concerted effort to following the basics.

Golf conditioning is the training of golf related muscles for improving your game of golf.  Golf training is one approach that can greatly improve any restriction that may occur during the golf swing in regards to golf posture. Proper preparation is a great way to: increase driving distance & club speed, improve focus and concentration,and prevent and rehabilitate injuries to enhance sport specific-movements.  This will  increase strength, speed and power. Physical conditioning is even more beneficial when it is started during the winter months to prepare the bodyfor the stresses it will endure during the golf season.  Golf conditioning is about strength and flexibility, which is no longer reserved for a select few.

Golf exercise is a physically challenging program that uses most of the muscles in the body. It combines strength training, but in a way that won’t bulk you up or affect your swing.  Golf posture is critical to golf swing consistency and efficiency. Conditioning specific for golf will not result in muscle gain which could alter your swing mechanics.  Golf conditioning is intended to help a golfer perform better on the course by evaluating the biomechanics, flexibility, and strength of the golfer in relation to the physical movements of the body during the swing. Golf conditioning is the training of golf related muscles to improve the game of golf.

Fitness for golf is prevalent at every level. Fitness is a state of the human body that allows it to function up to its full potential.  Fitness can also determine the overall health of all the organs.  Search out a fitness professional or golf conditioning specialist to design a golf specific program and you will play better than youever imagined.  It puts a whole new light on golfing and on what is needed for complete fitness information about golf conditioning. The information about golf conditioning will focus on improving golf mechanics through the creation of a complete program.

In conjunction with a stretching program, strength training will improve flexibility, not hinder it. How many times have you heard a teaching pro say you need to improve your golf posture, but didn’t give you any golf conditioning drills to achieve that goal. You will quickly notice an improvement in your ability to maintain an erect spine angle. When you improve functional strength, you have more control and balance, which will improve your feel.

Comprehensive golf conditioning is an individualized program designed to improve your golf game by strengthening your body through a range of golf specific options. A conditioning coach will design a program to help you improve your performance on the golf course.  This program will improve your golf game and your overall health and well-being.  Most golfers continually strive to improve even when they are playing at the top of their game.

Golf Conditioning or golf fitness refers to performing exercises that are designed specifically to improve muscle groups and parts of the body most required when golfing. Exercises for golfers may seem like an oxymoron, but I’m here to tell you they are most definitely not. Exercises such as good mornings, and rows are excellent to strengthen hip flexion and back extension.

The golf swing is such an unusual motion that yes, you can do traditional exercises, but you also need to do exercises that will cross over into different planes. A good golf conditioning program includes exercises that increase the core stability, increase muscular strength, improve flexibility, balance and coordination.  And a well developed program should not only focus on taking care of improving the obvious needs of golf, but should also include exercises that target specific muscular imbalances, lack of range of motion, cardiovascular endurance, and a little weight loss if necessary.

Golf conditioning is one approach that can greatly improve any restriction that may occur during the golf swing in regards to golf posture. This physical training is a form of strength and conditioning designed specifically to improve your efficiency and effectiveness as it relates to your Golf Swing.

Golf Conditioning is not just for the pro’s, it’s beneficial for players of all levels of ability helping to improve your game and to prolong your playing days. this is a gradual process, always keeping technique and competition as the ultimate goal. Golf conditioningis exploding, and a lot of trainers, therapists and even chiropractors are jumping on the bandwagon. Golf conditioning is extremely important to all golfers, including you, and becomes more so the older you get. Planing out a proper routine with or without help could greatly enhance your game and your score.

Somewhere around 106 is the apparent average golf score. It can be concluded that a great many number of men and women are shooting in the 110s, 120s and above, when you consider that numerous players are having scores in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Does this sound regular?

Whatever the case may be, we must admit that no matter what they score, most golfers are in search of that best dynamic – the sole thing -that will easily leave them with much lower scores. Many industries labor to produce countless DVDs, gadgets, and gizmos that promise the best tips for perfection. We have all probably invested in them; some have turned to be bad, and some good. But we are never satisfied. We watch the current infomercial of the Golf Channel making ourselves believe that investing some extra dollars on the credit card would not hurt that much.

There are no easy ways out if you diligently want to improve your game. Perseverance and dedication are required to practice the right things. Some instructions on golf and enough first hand experience would go a long way. Visit the range at least once every week and play one or two games per month. You will have to get a long-term evaluation of your golf game. Realize that it is bound to take some time before you hit low scores.

But are you a good golfer? I do not want to know what your score is on an average. It may give a glimpse of your game but it fails to give a general overview.

Let’s assume that you play the same golf course, or courses daily and I hope that you do have some scorecards stuffed in your golf bag or locked inside your drawer. It’s time to take them out. Start doing this from now on, if you have not done it so far. It’s time to get started on the game.

Take a look at the scoreboard and note down the best you have scored on each hole. You will see that the addition for 18 holes is better than anything you have ever scored before. Anyways, the hip thing is that this is how nice you can be. Perhaps you generally shoot a 6 on that tricky par 4, but you made par two times – and you can notice over every hole just what your potential is. Obviously it is a different ball game to put it all together in a single round. But you can see how far you can go if you follow your current game.

At times we may criticize our own game so vehemently and be hard on ourselves, that we overlook the fact that we do play some pretty good golf. This leads us to the second part of our game, and we go to the next step.

What I am now going to suggest has the capability to bring about a major change in the way you perceive your golf. We know that the scoreboard never lies. But we must delve deeper into what is taking place in your rounds. The way is to keep an additional golf score.

Here we begin to record the shots that are good. The record would also include appreciable management of the course.

About the Author
Reggie Dunn is a long time golf player and lover of the game. Get more information about golf at his blog, which can be found at golf lesson

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How Good Are You As A Golfer

A golfer is always faced with a constant barrage of things that he can possibly spend his money on. These things range from the necessary things like golf clubs, to completely unnecessary things like trophy cases for hole-in-one balls. It would seem that a golfer?s money could constantly be thrown away on the many things that are available for purchase. However, one of the most expensive things that a golfer has to spend money on is not what you would expect. Golf balls are perhaps the most irritating thing that a golfer buys. He seems to buy them over and over, as they disappear into bushes, lakes, or sand traps. Rates for golf balls can seem fairly ridiculous too, with some selling for over $25 for a pack of 12. If you want to save money on golf balls or even get them for free, read on for a few tips on how you can do just this.

While you are in the middle of a golf game, there are usually many opportunities to find golf balls that have been left behind by golfers before you. It isn?t a good idea to constantly interrupt your game in search of golf balls, but if you happen to walk right by a cluster of bushes or a small water hazard, you might as well take a moment to look for golf balls that have been left behind. If you don?t mind getting your arm wet, usually you can find multiple balls just by reaching into a water pool. Bushes and other similar obstructions are also good places to look. Other golfers may find you strange when you are rooting around for golf balls, but it is definitely worth it in the end when you don?t need to pay insane amounts for golf balls every week. All you have to do is shove them into a bag you carry with you, then wash them off as soon as you get home for golf balls that are like new.

You can also buy used golf balls from many different sources, including sporting good stores in your local area. These are sold at a huge discount off of the original price, and you can usually not even tell that they have been used thanks to the cleaning processes. Usually they are not sold in matching brands or colors, so if uniformity is your thing you may be disappointed. Unless you are more than just a casual golfer, used or second-hand balls will probably work just fine. It takes a very trained hand to be able to tell the difference between a new ball and a used ball, or between an expensive ball and a cheap ball. The spin and the hardness of the balls are usually varying, but probably not enough for you to notice. Try two contrasting balls in a row and see if you notice anything, and if not then you can be happy that you are able to stick with the cheaper balls.

It may not seem like much of a money saver to get all of your golf balls for free or for a discounted rate, but the money you save will sure add up. Whether it?s just a few dollars a week or whether you notice a significantly large saving, it?s still money in your pocket that wouldn?t have been there otherwise. Therefore, you should remember the golf ball savings techniques that have been discussed so far: first of all, you should always take whatever chance you get to search for golf balls that have been left behind by previous golfers in areas that they are likely to have lost them. Secondly, buy used golf balls from sporting good stores in order to save money. If you follow these two guidelines, you are sure to experience the benefits of being free from paying full price for golf balls.