It’s a cherished weekend release, land where business bonds are sealed or, according to sportswriter John Feinstein, “a good walk spoiled.” Any way you slice it, golf is one of society’s most coveted pastimes. On the course, it can be hard to decipher what differentiates those who pencil in at the top of the scorecard, from those that can’t hit a fairway or pressure putt to save their life. You’d be hard-pressed to find a golfer that would turn down lower scores, fewer injuries and longer distances off the tee. This begs the question: What is golf fitness and how does it apply to the average, everyday golfer?
Basketball, football, soccer, and marathon running all require different conditioning methods for optimal performance. The unique demands of a round of golf incorporate the entire body, particularly the arms, legs, spine and neck. The golf swing is a movement of precision, further complicated by speed, requiring a relatively high degree of coordination between all of the moving parts. If one part isn’t moving properly due to lack of motion, strength or timing, then the entire shot can suffer, not to mention a golfer’s back, hip or shoulders. When one aspect is off, then another must compensate, often producing alterations in the swing plane, ball contact and ball flight.
Poor body alignment, strength, flexibility or balance cause troubled swing mechanics, which lead to higher scores. The common goal of golf fitness is to correct or enhance the body’s ability to perform the correct golf swing, though, as any PGA master might tell you, this can be easier said than done.
An evaluation must be made to target deficits. Incorrect evaluations can obviously lead to incorrect fitness programs. For instance, if lack of shoulder flexibility is your primary golf-related deficit and instead you perform strength training, the deficit will not be addressed. In fact, it can get worse, causing even greater alterations to your swing. This holds true for each nuance of the swing and body mechanics.
The process for achieving overall fitness includes an assessment of, and development or enhancement of coordination, balance, flexibility, strength and other attributes required for performing such a complex movement as the golf swing. Endurance for walking and avoiding general fatigue is another goal.
On the next page, learn strategies for incorporating fitness into your golf game to promote health and avoid injury on the links.
