Though golf is termed as a game of patience and fun, to be a good golf player, one should also concentrate on their own fitness. This is a new method which is gaining popularity in recent times. There is no hard coded fitness training for golfers. The main aim of this fitness method is to improve the player’s performance on the course. Flexibility and balancing should be practiced by a golfer. Australian golfer Greg Norman is the man who introduced this concept of golf fitness to the world.
Only a few people have come up with thoughts on fitness related to golf. Gary player is one of those people who support fitness for golf. There is a magazine named ‘Golf fitness magazine’ which comes with support for fitness and golf.
Playing golf without having proper fitness might lead to injuries specifically to back, shoulders and wrist. These injuries could occur especially when the player goes for a tee. Because, this require flexibility, power, strength and concentration. Golf swing is actually an athletic activity. Not only the wrist and hand has to do work. Entire body is utilized for this swing.
The main things which a golfer should focus on fitness are balance, flexibility, stability, power and postural control. Balance is a basic requirement in golf. A well balanced shot never reaches out of target. For a good balance, one should have strength in his feet. Running and cycling will help increasing the balance.
Flexibility and stability includes muscle training. Aerobics and gym work outs can help very much is one’s flexibility. This training will help in warming up and maintaining cardio vascular activity.
Power and postural control comes only with practice. Training should be first done without a ball. Just have the club in the hand and go for a full swing in a slow speed. This will help you drive the ball farther, increase consistency and gaining competitive edge. Then gradually try to increase the pace of the swing. And finally, try to work it out with a ball. These fitness exercises should help in improving movement pattern and energy requirement for golf swing. All these fitness exercises are not being followed parallel.
Fitness training for each aspect requires different timings. Start of with feet as feet are the only thing which is connected to earth and ensures good balance. Fundamental workouts for feet should be checked and followed. For example, running and cycling daily in the morning will keep cardio fit. But, muscle training and flexibility can be scheduled for thrice or four days a week.
Warming up before starting a game is course will improve flexibility. This will also help to play best and avoid injuries. Have a short sprint, few sit ups and an upper body stretch before starting to tee. It is recommended to have 3 minutes warm up before teeing. This warm up should be followed in routine and this can be done even before starting fitness training.
