Fitness for Your Game

I refer to myself as a 'range trainer' as much or more than a 'gym trainer'. A gym trainer is one that meets you only in a gym setting in order to perform exercises and stretches to help you grow stronger, more flexible and improve your performance on the course.

A range trainer is one who talks with everyone associated with your game, for example, your swing instructor and yourself looking for additional input. These days much of my time is spent on the range watching, observing and asking questions. It is these sessions on the range where the most critical information is gathered so we know precisely where to focus when it comes to quick improvement.

Today, everyone accepts and understands the need for a solid exercise program in golf. There are just too many strength, flexibility and overall conditioning discrepancies that can occur between any two individuals to ignore. But, here are some other important factors to consider when designing a golf fitness program for immediate improvement. Has your swing instructor ever said one of the following as a factor or goal in your future improvement?

• Need better posture
• Golfer is too rounded at the top. (a fitness trainer will seek to correct a weak upper back, tight chest and poor mid back flexibility)
• Golfer has a 'sway' back. (a fitness trainer will seek exercises for weak abdominals and glutes and tight hip flexors)
• Golfer has a lateral sway (a fitness trainer will add exercises for more hip stability and flexibility for right hip)
• Golfer 'spins' too much in the downswing (a fitness trainer will look to add more strength in the hips and add flexibility exercises to re-enforce upper and lower body separation)

These are just three examples of the types of exercises and stretches that could benefit a golfer in each of these scenarios. Think in terms of 'faults and fixes' or exercises that focus on 'opportunities' for improvement. These will give you the quickest improvement results and carryover to your game.