Article Directory :: Sports & Recreation Articles

Get Ready For Spring By Implementing A Golf Fitness Routine

By Jhon Murray

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 03Feb2012 Word count: 740 Viewed: 31 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Denver received another 4 inches of snow yesterday, which bodes well for skiers, not so much for golfers. We actually don't expect to play a lot of golf during the winter months, but, it's not uncommon to play a few rounds every month until spring arrives. We haven't played here since right before Thanksgiving, so the natives are getting restless!!!

Those of us who live above the "freeze line" parallel, as I like to call it, have a couple of options for the remainder of winter;

1. Go south where its warm and play golf!
2. Make the best of where we are and implement a preseason routine!

Obviously, going south is the preferred choice, but either way, hopefully we already have a preseason routine we've developed for the upcoming season. Why is this so important? During the golf season, we exercise certain sets of muscles continuously, both physically and mentally. Down time during the off season can make us complacent and let those muscles get out of shape!! Notice, I said both "physically and mentally" , and you know if you play golf, how important they both are. If, you are among the unfortunate northern crowd who can't escape winter, you need a good routine to "keep you in golf shape", both physically and mentally!!

These two areas of golf fitness don't need to be extensive, but putting a plan into action and being consistent, will make a huge difference come spring time.From a physical stand point, a good flexibility program with some simple resistance band exercises can pay dividends. What we are looking for here is maintaining flexibility in the torso, particularly, shoulders, back, midsection and hips, as well as stretching the muscles in the arms and legs. Most of us know simple stretches that will accomplish this, the important ingredient is being consistent. Our goal is simply this...better flexibility equates to more turn in the back swing, more power for longer distance and better stability for balance and consistency in our shots.

Resistance bands are great for simple muscle toning and will save you from aggravating injuries that may sideline your summer golf plans! In particular, is the unwanted golfers/tennis elbow! Most all of us who have played for a while have experienced this, and, believe me, you don't want this injury!! It is caused by a lack of flexibility and muscle tone in the arms, both forearm and bicep/tricep. The muscles absorb shock from hitting the golf ball, and when they are not developed, that shock reverberates into the tendons of the elbow joint and inflames them! Rest is the only cure for this injury, and it can be substantial!! Use the resistance band to do curls for both the bicep and tricep and incorportate other flexibility sets as well.

Use a small dumbbell, about 3 lbs, to work the forearm muscles. Sit in a chair with an armrest, grab the dumbbell and extend your wrist out over the end of the armrest. Begin with 10 wrist curls with the palm of your hand facing down towards the floor, then rotate your arm 90 degrees and do 10 more. Repeat, rotating your arm again. Do 3 sets of these and you will feel the muscles in your forearm getting a workout!!

Mental fitness is also essential. Visualization is a key fundamental to playing golf well, and it needs to stay in shape too. Don't try to do too much here, just visually work on an area of your game that may have been giving you fits at the end of last season. If you've been hitting behind the ball or fat shots, mentally work on getting your weight transferred to your front side in your downswing. Maybe you've been hitting chip shots fat or thin, concentrate on hitting through the shot leading with your forward hand ahead of the club head, sweeping the grass and keeping that wrist firm. Don't flip the wrist, trying to help the ball in the air!! Whatever it may be, simple visualization and mental practice WILL improve your shots, I guarantee you!

Golf fitness, both physical and mental, during the off season, will have you get or stay in shape for spring, reduce injury, and save some frustration as well.

EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here

More articles by Jhon Murray

Free Report!
Ten Essential Secrets Of Article Marketing ... Grab Your Free
Copy Now:

Need Content?
Regular Top Quality Content for your Blog, Ezine or Website ...
Delivered Direct,
For Free!
Click For Details