Golf Fitness

TRS30

Decided that I want to make a serious effort at improving this year. First step is getting more 'golf fit'. I wanted to make sure I'm using my limited time effectively and doing the right things.

On gorfield's advice i went to see Robbie Cannon. He was excellent; did a full assessent to see where my strengths and weakness are. He then gave me a specific list of exercies to work on my weak areas. This will be monitored on a monthly basis to make sure i'm doing what I should be and correctly.

Not only does he really know his stuff, he is a top golfer and a sound bloke as well.

If anyone wants his contact details PM me.

Almaviva

TRS30 wrote: »

Decided that I want to make a serious effort at improving this year. First step is getting more 'golf fit'.

Is it though ? Is there any clear link between fitness and golf improvement ?

Seves Three Iron

My own opinion is that quality golf comes first; doing all the basic stuff well and scoring well. Then really good fitness, the sort achieved by golf specific exercises, can add to the whole package. But fitness without a decent level of competence already seems unlikely to improve a fella's game substantially. Certainly not as much as the same dedication to coaching/lessons would.

The top pros and amateurs are adding fitness to an already excellent game. It came in that order. McIlroy, Clarke, Lowry, Harri - they were all highly skilled players before getting fit. Obviously some didn't even bother with the fitness.

Only my opinion, could be complete BS. I'm sure the OP is already a decent player as he sounds very committed to improvement. Best of luck with it.

gorfield

Since the golf swing has evolved, a good solid technique is much easier achieved if your core aware and fit in the right areas. We don't use soft balata high spin balls like years ago either, so higher club head speed, and more strength is needed to get the most out of the modern equipment. Anyone dismissing golf fitness as irrelevant are being left behind imo and no matter how big or small or tight u are, a small improvement in these areas cana be a massive help to golfers of all levels.

My 2cents (shur what do I know)

TGoodall

I think a fairly decent level of fitness is required just to be able to play a full 18 holes. You are on your feet for 4 hours, walking ~5 miles and hitting about 35 full shots. Takes a bit out of you and can leave you struggling to concentrate by the 18th green.

In terms of specific strenght training I'm sure a stronger core and legs can't hurt, but like Seves says the swing has to come first.

A specialised golf trainer would certainly be the way to go though, he wil ensure you stay flexible and don't lose your swing through bad training.

Rikand

for those who cant afford fancy fitness coaches - any solid youtube videos of good fitness/exercise regimes around the place that people would recommend ?

dines08

Just search "fitness blender golf" in YouTube. Really good strength and flexibilty exercises. It's about 35 minutes long

TRS30

Almaviva wrote: »

Is it though ? Is there any clear link between fitness and golf improvement ?

This is only part of my over all plan. Lessons and serious practice are also included.

Rickylovesuall wrote: »

for those who cant afford fancy fitness coaches - any solid youtube videos of good fitness/exercise regimes around the place that people would recommend ?

Is actually very cheap, about the same as a box of premium golf balls or a night out and at least i know i am working on my weaknesses (which weren't what i thought at all).

dines08 wrote: »

Just search "fitness blender golf" in YouTube. Really good strength and flexibilty exercises. It's about 35 minutes long

Everyone is different so generic exercises might not target the correct areas you need to work on. It would be like giving the same golf lesssons to every player regardless of their swing faults.


I'm sure golf specific fitness it not for everyone however it can only improve on a solid swing.

Corkey123

I think its important to make the distinction between fitness and physical strength. A typical error is to associate physical strength with long driving,etc. Most golf fitness gurus now regard flexibility as the key component to more effective driving etc.

See http://www.revolutiongolf.com

ShivasIrons

Almaviva wrote: »

Is it though ? Is there any clear link between fitness and golf improvement ?

If there's no link between fitness and golf improvement all you need is a couple of lessons and you'll hit it like Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson or Gary Woodland.

Almaviva

ShivasIrons wrote: »

If there's no link between fitness and golf improvement all you need is a couple of lessons and you'll hit it like Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson or Gary Woodland.

A lot of bad logic going on there!

TRS30

Almaviva wrote: »

A lot of bad logic going on there!

Maybe not put the best however I think the point is valid.

ShivasIrons

Almaviva wrote: »

A lot of bad logic going on there!

What's the bad logic?

You asked was there any clear link between fitness and golf improvement. If there's a physical restriction causing a swing fault, then unless the physical restriction is removed the swing can't improve.

I just took it to the extreme, if fitness doesn't matter then everybody should only be a few (or a few hundred) lessons away from the fittest guys on tour.

Also don't confuse golf fitness with aesthetics, golf fitness is all about body function, not only flexibility but stability and power as well.

I would say that most people would improve way more by doing 30 minutes exercise a day rather than 30 minutes hitting balls.

Seves Three Iron

ShivasIrons wrote: »

I would say that most people would improve way more by doing 30 minutes exercise a day rather than 30 minutes hitting balls.

It's a tough one to get consensus on. I understand your point but completely disagree. If a fella off 10 practices for 30 minutes on the right things he's bound to improve. If the same fella exercises for 30 minutes, in my opinion, there's no guarantees he's going to see the same gains. Now a top amateur or pro is searching for the extra 1 or 2 per cent and may find it in golf specific drills.

As for Johnson, Woodland and particularly Watson I would argue they hit the ball so far because of their swing mechanics, first and foremost. They'd still be awesome hitters if they had saggy bellies.

Almaviva

And indeed we have seen saggy bellies play the tours over the years and thus distinguishing themselves from 99.9999999% of the golfing population despite that.
You could quote a different Mr Watson also, withing an unkind bouce of winning the Open at age 59. With all due respect to him (and am a big fan), a good 30 years beyond his 'fitness' prime. Golfers continuing to play at world level well beyond the peak of physical excellence that declines as age 30 is breached in all other sports seems delayed by 10-15 years in golf. Suggesting to me anyway that fitness plays a minute if any role in golfing success.

Almaviva

ShivasIrons wrote: »

What's the bad logic?

The either/or presentation that it is either fitness or coaching that determines golfing skill, and that if fitness isnt relevant, then simply by taking a few lessons everyone would hit the ball like Rory. Both clearly unsustainable arguments to me.

ShivasIrons

Seves Three Iron wrote: »

It's a tough one to get consensus on. I understand your point but completely disagree. If a fella off 10 practices for 30 minutes on the right things he's bound to improve. If the same fella exercises for 30 minutes, in my opinion, there's no guarantees he's going to see the same gains. Now a top amateur or pro is searching for the extra 1 or 2 per cent and may find it in golf specific drills.

As for Johnson, Woodland and particularly Watson I would argue they hit the ball so far because of their swing mechanics, first and foremost. They'd still be awesome hitters if they had saggy bellies.

This is the point of golf fitness, it's not about aesthetics, as I mentioned, it's about function, being overweight or having a saggy belly is due to poor diet and not about fitness. If we look at someone like Jimenez, despite this weeks broken leg, he is slightly overweight but has really good body function.

Don't mistake aesthetics for body function.

As for practicing the right things, you can only swing the way your body allows you, change the body change the swing. There's no point in showing somebody how to swing the correct way if they can't do it.

ShivasIrons

Almaviva wrote: »

The either/or presentation that it is either fitness or coaching that determines golfing skill, and that if fitness isnt relevant, then simply by taking a few lessons everyone would hit the ball like Rory. Both clearly unsustainable arguments to me.

I should have added in practice as well, if fitness doesn't matter then some lessons and practice should mean every one will swing perfectly after a set period of time.

This isn't the case.

I'd expect somebody to talk about talent next, but I'm not sure what talent is and how it relates to golf. Golf is a skill, it is acquired, you are not born with the ability.

link_2007

Almaviva wrote: »

And indeed we have seen saggy bellies play the tours over the years and thus distinguishing themselves from 99.9999999% of the golfing population despite that.
You could quote a different Mr Watson also, withing an unkind bouce of winning the Open at age 59. With all due respect to him (and am a big fan), a good 30 years beyond his 'fitness' prime. Golfers continuing to play at world level well beyond the peak of physical excellence that declines as age 30 is breached in all other sports seems delayed by 10-15 years in golf. Suggesting to me anyway that fitness plays a minute if any role in golfing success.

Do you think is there any link between physical fitness and mental fitness (for want of a better phrase).

Not golf I know but I remember reading an article about the snooker player Peter Ebdon where he was saying that he found his concentration levels and ability to focus at essential times improved massively when he began to take better care of himself physically.

Seves Three Iron

Ah sure look we're not gonna agree on this one, fair enuf. As the lads on Dragons Den say, 'I'm out!'

TRS30

I can see both sides. A good swing is vital to playing good golf. However to enable that good swing being 'golf fit' is going to help.