How To Get A Better Golf Game This Year

Well, it's that time of year and Golf is upon us once again. For many individuals this is a long awaited time to finally get back onto the Golf course and tear up the green once again. Some of you may have attended Golf School over the off-season to improve your game, and that's all fine and good. But here I would like to recommend a few golf-specific workout suggestions that will improve your golf game.

First you need to look at where you generate your swing power. Most people feel it's the arms and shoulders, but it's really from your core area. The deep muscles from the navel to the neck, which help drive the golf ball. I recommend doing exercises that challenge that area with use crunches off a stability ball, rotational exercises both lying down and standing up, and exercises that make you use the whole body as a unit, like planks and knee drives and we can't forget some type of back extension. This will ensure your core area is being challenged and will dramatically increase golf club power.

Next come the rotator cuff. The four deep muscles in the shoulder are involved heavily in golf. These muscles are structural muscles, meaning they support the bigger more dominant muscles in the shoulder to help with all movement patterns. Weak rotator cuff equals weak golf game, especially with the speed of the club. How many of you work the rotator cuff with pendulum exercises, external rotation exercises, and towel stretches? This one golf tip alone will give you a big advantage next time you are out on the golf course.

And finally you need to look at the flexibility aspect when it comes to hitting the golf ball. In the game of golf, so many people understand technique, timing etc. but because of muscle imbalances and inflexibility they cannot maximize their golf game. Golf driving ranges are a good place to practice your hits and your flexibility, but should be done on a daily basis for noticeable progress. Areas that are usually tight and hinder a golfer are neck, outer hips, lower back (weak and tight), chest, and mid-back. Keep in mind, if you were keep these areas limber and strong the chances of you doing better on the golf course rise dramatically. I cannot emphasize enough, however, that flexibility should be done daily and strength training 2-3x's per week. Many golfers aren't consistent in both areas, but if they were they would find just how better the golf ball will carry for them, and decrease risk of injury and fatigue.

In conclusion there are other muscle groups and exercises that need to be addressed, but these are the primary golf areas I would tell golfers to start working on. Golf schools are golf driving ranges are fantastic, but without having the foundation of the areas above, one is missing out on his or her true golf potential.