You spend a lot of time and money at the driving range and taking lessons to improve your game. Ever considered strength training as a way to improve your score?
The myth that strength training might reduce flexibility and hinder driving ability has been disproved by recent studies. A study of 22 adult golfers during an 8-week strength and flexibility training program showed the following results:
- 56% improvement in muscle strength
- 24% increase in hip and shoulder flexibility
- 4.2 pound increase in lean weight
- 3.0 pounds decrease in fat weight
- 5% increase in club head speed
According to this study, the golfers performed 15 strength exercises and 6 basic stretches 3 times a week. The total workout took 40 minutes; 30 minutes for strength training and 10 minutes to stretch.
In order to maximize this time and target golf specific muscles, it would be in your best interest to invest a couple of hours with a personal trainer. A personal trainer can evaluate your performance and show you ways to strengthen those areas in order to improve shot distance and speed as well as decrease fatigue. The exercises your trainer will demonstrate and teach you will not create a "body-builder" type physique, but create a longer, leaner body that will endure 36 holes in your current physical condition.
How tired did you feel after the first round of this season? Keeping a high level of physical fitness during your off season will also improve your game by decreasing muscle fatigue and keeping you flexible from the first hole to the last hole of the season. Not to mention that you will look and feel better and be healthier, stronger and leaner.
Just ask Mark La Londe, a semi-professional golfer who uses a trainer from Fitness Evolution to improve his game. "Strength training not only improved my head speed, but my overall game. Mental fatigue to a golfer is their worse enemy. When your body is tired, so is your mind and the negative thoughts start creeping in, but since I started training with Steve my body wasn’t getting tired so I could stay sharp mentally which improved my overall game. His approach to strength training made me realize that it wasn’t just for the body builder type, but for anyone who enjoys outdoor sports. I feel that strength training will help improve anyone’s golf game."
Talk with a professional trainer who can evaluate your needs as a golfer and as a woman. Start improving your game today by investing some time with a certified personal trainer.
