It has been a long winter and everybody is getting excited about jumping into spring sports - baseball, soccer, running, hiking, cycling, and of course, golf.  It seems that when people go to play other sports they train throughout the year for that particular sport or at least warm up prior to any athletic ability.  Not many players play basketball without throwing a few baskets and taking a couple of lay-up’s before the game.  Golf seems to be the exception, how many times do you get out of the car and play half a hole before you even have your golf shoes tied, probably more times than you will admit to.

Here are a few ideas about improving your golf game in a few different areas.

First consult your physician before starting any new training exercises.  After you get the OK from your doctor you are ready to go.

Core, strength, balance, and cardio training are great ways to get started with enough variety so you won’t get bored.  Take one or two exercises from each category and build a well rounded training program or at least a good warm up program prior to a lesson, practice session or a round of golf.

Cardio training such as running, walking, stair climbing or elliptical machine will give you the endurance you need to stay strong and focused for 18 holes rather than just 12 or 13.  Scores get high when players get tired and fatigued, improve your cardio and see scores improve.

Strength training such as weight training will also help players stay on their “A” game longer.  Not only for the player who wants to finish out their rounds stronger but for the player who is going to be playing multiple rounds in a day or for two, three, or four days in a row.  A light training program is recommended during the off season and a heavier program during the off season.  Proper strength training will add yards to your drives and anytime a player can get a shorter club in their hands on approach shots the chances of making birdie improve.


Core training with golf specifically in mind is really fun and includes such aspects as stretching, flexibility, strength, balance, speed, and cardio.  Exercise bands, balance pads, medicine balls, weighted golf clubs, and Swiss balls are great tools to implement into your training program.  Isolating the hips by sitting on a Swiss ball and turning the shoulders as you would in a backswing and a through swing is one way to increase resistance and flexibility in the trunk.  To improve balance and stability in the ankle and hips, stand on a balance pad while making a golf swing, use a weighted club or a medicine ball for increased resistance.  Ankle and hip stability is pivotal in developing a consistent golf swing.  Shoulder and rotator cuff exercises such as pushups, throwing a medicine ball off a wall from above your head will help swing positions and help prevent injury.  Also throw a medicine ball off a concrete wall from waist high simulating the weight transfer and rotation of the golf swing; make sure you are in balance throughout all the exercises.


I have seen amazing results from students that have implemented the proper fitness routine.  If you have the right stretching routine away from the golf course it will do wonders for your game.  I customize quite a few golf specific drills / exercises in my lessons to improve the student’s flexibility, strength, and help the student get to a better position within the swing.  If you have the right stretching routine it will do wonders for your golf game.