So many of us work so hard to improve our golf game by literally sweating over the details of the mechanics of the golf swing itself with hours of ball striking.

I would suggest that we allocate some of that time and sweat to a golf fitness program for ourselves. You literally can change your golf game from the inside out.

Here is an all too often scenario that I hear in the locker room and at the 19^th hole.

I started out struggling, hit my stride and hit some great golf shots during the middle holes then my golf game limped in to the finish line. Is this ever happen (or is happening) to you?

Are you seeing more missed putts? Is your short game not hold up for the entire round. Do your drives sometime begin to wander off later in round? For that matter, do allow the disappointment of one golf shot, or hole lead to another?

If any of this is becoming a characteristic of your golf game, I strongly encourage you to spend more consistent and quality time on the golf fitness side of the ‘how can I improve my golf game’ equation. Let’s take a look at the areas that are involved in the scenario and the questions brought forth just a moment ago as they pertain to golf fitness and improving your golf game.

First on the list is flexibility for your golf game. “It took me a couple of holes to get going, but once I did…” Ah, yes.

To be forever young and be able to step out of the car and into the clubhouse and sign off on my tee time just 15 minutes before taking the first tee. Only a distant memory? Warming up a bit before that first tee shot is certainly helpful but, I’m talking about stretching on a regular basis.

Not just while you’re waiting for the foursome ahead of you to get out of range. When it comes to flexibility, a small amount of time invested on a regular basis will enable you to see significant increases in the range of motion of your muscles. This will not only free up your golf swing, but you’ll feel better overall. So start today.

For the obvious, a few words on strength. Incorporate some strength training in your golf exercises and your newly acquired golf fitness program. I’m not talking about putting on your bikini briefs and pumping iron.

But, I am talking about lower weight resistance and a higher number of repetitions. Working with flexible elastic bands designed for this type of exercise work great and are easily portable.

With the lighter weight and the higher repetition routine, I want you to concentrate on achieving a full range of motion with your movement and not just jerking the weight across a short range of motion.

Of course it goes without saying, that you should consult with your physician before embarking on any fitness or exercise routine, but at a high level you should go through your golf stretching routine daily, and your golf strengthening routine at least 3 times a week.

It doesn’t have to long amount of time each day. Just do them consistently within your schedule.

Up next let’s take a look at adding some endurance to our fitness for golf program and how that will benefit our game.

Play Good Golf!

Jeff O'Brien