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From Mike Pedersen
Golf fitness is exploding. Golfers of all ages and abilities are seeing it on the television 24/7. You can't get away from it, nor can you deny it. Golf is a physical sport and knowing some simple golf fitness tips will save you time and frustration wondering if what you are doing is right, and get you playing better golf quicker.
Golf Strength Fitness Tip
 When incorporating strength training in your golf fitness routine, the most important issue is similarity: Doing as many strength training exercises as you can that closely mimic your golf swing, or at least a phase of your golf swing.
This exercise to the right is a good example of a golf-specific strength exercise. Can you see the golf component in it? I call it Backswing With A Dumbbell:
Instructions
• Hold a dumbbell in your lead hand and get in your golf posture.
• Your palm should face your leg similar to when holding your club.
• Maintain golf posture and bring arm across body to a half backswing.
• Do not swing the weight. Feel like you are using your muscles to move it.
• Bring it back to the start and repeat for 3 sets of 12 reps.
Golf Stretching Fitness Tip
 Golf stretching has become mainstream. Especially for older golfers. But stretching for golf is a bit different than plopping your foot on a counter in your kitchen and stretching your hamstring.
In fact, stretching for golf should incorporate mostly rotational stretches for your core, lower back, shoulders and hips. This approach will help you see improvement on the course quickly.
This stretch is very golf-specific. You will see I am in a lunge position with a rotation. So I am stretching the hip flexors, quads and core rotational muscles all in one. This golf stretch I call Lunge With A Club Twisting:
Instructions
• Get a middle iron and place it vertically in the ground to your right.
• Lunge down with your left leg forward and the back knee bent.
• While shifting your weight onto your front leg, Extend your arms on the club to feel a stretch in your backswing muscles, as well as hip flexors, quads and core.
• Hold for 15 seconds, release and repeat other side.
• You can also switch lead legs to feel a slightly different stretch.
I hope the above golf fitness tips and illustrations give you a better understanding of how to implement a golf fitness program.
Go slow with any new exercise you have not performed in the past. Check with your physician before undertaking any new physical training program.
Photos courtesy of Perform Better Golf, Inc.; used with permission
About the Author
Mike Pedersen is a well-known golf performance training expert who has produced DVDs, books and websites focused on improving golfers' physical abilities to play their best golf. For more information about Mike and his programs, visit www.performbettergolf.com.
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