Monday, August 6, 2007

Golf Fitness - What Every Golfer Should Know About Golf Fitness

Golf fitness differs from traditional strength training. Golf fitness consists of exercises that are specific to the sport of golf and is especially designed to increase increasing your flexibility, strength, balance and endurance.

A smooth, fluid golf swing requires a high degree of flexibility. However, as the years take their toll on our bodies, staying flexible becomes more difficult. Exercises that increase flexibility are worth pursuing because there are lots of great reasons to stay flexible that don't have anything to do with golf.

The best way to increase flexibility is through stretching exercises. Don't expect amazing results from a casual stretch whenever you happen to think about it. Develop a specific stretching routine that you do on a regular basis.

Adding muscle strength to your new-found flexibility will add distance to your drives. Strength and flexibility in your upper body make it possible for you to swing the club faster, produce a higher club head speed and ultimately drive the ball to new distance records.

Strength training for golf fitness doesn't necessarily mean you need to lift refrigerators. A great golf swing needs power that is more explosive in nature. You should look for exercises that have a high rate of force development (RFD).

The real secret behind a powerful golf swing is not how strong you are, but is more about how fast you can deploy that strength and how quickly you can accelerate the golf club.

If you have trouble keeping your balance, then strength and flexibility won't do you much good. The best way to ensure that you can stay centered over the ball is to work on developing better balance.

Good balance also helps you make better shots from difficult lies, like the edge of a bunker or a steep grade in the rough. Your golf swing plane will also be much more consistent when you are hitting from a more stable posture.

This is where exercises that focus on your core strength and lower back can work wonders.

Golf fitness could help you play some of your best golf ever. Wouldn't it be a shame if you can't last 18 holes? A full round of 18 holes can be brutal in the summer heat. Some days, it can be hard to maintain your performance for even nine holes.

And what if you vacation at a golf resort and play every day? What are the most effective exercises to build endurance? Cardio, cardio and more cardio. One reason cardiovascular exercises help with endurance is their ability to reduce overall body fat.

Time on the treadmill, elliptical trainer or stair climber is time well spent in the gym. Walking or jogging in your neighborhood can accomplish the same results.

Professional golfers know the value of golf fitness and make it part of their training schedule. Amateurs like you and me probably don't have that kind of time in our week. When lack of time to exercise is an issue, then it's important to make every workout count.

More time spent at the gym will translate into lower scores, fewer injuries and more enjoyment on the golf course.

By Martin Haworth

(c) 2007 Choosing Great Golf Clubs. All you need to know to make the right decisions before you buy your next set of golf clubs. There's all the information you could ask for, at Martin Haworth's website, http://www.ChoosingGreatGolfClubs.com

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