Use the Winter to Get Fit for Spring

How many times have you started a new golf season with very high scores, short drives and aches and pains? Am I talking to you? Let's be honest: It happens more times than you'd like.

So why not do it different this time? Instead of going into deep depression that the season is over, keep golf at the top of your mind by starting a golf-specific fitness program.

Don't let your clubs get dusty and forget about your game during the winter or offseason. Prepare your body in anticipation for next spring.

It's no fun to come off the course feeling spent when you could have energy to spare. You may have between 4-6 months to greatly improve your strength, flexibility and stamina. It would be the wisest thing to do to improve your golf for next season.

When you begin the season with a "broken" body, you're taking two steps back. Take a leap forward and prepare your body by getting your fitness program for golf in motion. Think about winter this way: What a great opportunity to get the edge on your playing partners and win all the money. Wouldn't that get their goat?

Finally, you'll get the chance to redeem yourself from a previous season that found you paying out more than receiving and being the brunt of all jokes in the clubhouse after every round. We've all been there - but no longer, right? This is the winter to make the commitment and do it! No excuses. No more reasons to put it off. You may realize it's not easy - but nothing worth getting is easy.

Golf fitness is a very popular topic these days among all the pros, teachers and even amateurs. It's no secret that if you get your body fitter, stronger and more flexible, you will swing better and hit longer drives that produce lower scores.

That's what we all want. What a feeling to be the longest (and straightest) hitter in your group. Always hitting your approach shot last because you were the farthest down the fairway. Those are the kinds of thoughts you should have this winter while you're working out.

Now how to get started? You've got several options. Pursue a local fitness professional who works with golfers and really understands the mechanics of the swing and how the muscles work. Get a book on golf fitness at your bookstore. There are several out there. Just make sure you can put together a good program from the content of the book. Or get online and do a search for golf fitness programs. You will undoubtedly come across my program.

So don't let this winter (offseason) go by without improving your body. All it takes is 2-3 times a week for 30-40 minutes to dramatically improve your game. Not much of a sacrifice to play better golf is it?

About Mike Pedersen
Mike Pedersen is a nationally known golf fitness expert and founder of the Power Performance Program™ at Golf-Trainer.com. Mike has published four e-books about golf fitness and is a frequent contributor to About Golf and other online and offline golf publications.