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Golf Strength Exercises�Can You Benefit From Them

by: Mike Pedersen

Golf strength exercises are a must for any golfer wanting to improve power output; decrease injury; improve accuracy and consistency, and slow the effects of the aging process for senior golfers.

There is more and more information coming out about golf strength exercises, but some of it is a bit misleading. What constitutes golf strength exercises? And what are the benefits of doing them once you recognize the difference between golf strength exercises and �general� fitness exercises?

First off�a sport specific approach is needed. In analyzing the physical requirements of the golf swing, we know several things right up front.

It takes place on your feet. You are in a very dynamic and athletic body position (golf posture). You maintain this position while you swing a 3 foot long lever at up to 100 mph. There is a definite sequence of motion required. Maintaining balance, stability and coordination are a must.

Okay�now that we�ve �briefly� recognized just some of the physical requirements for an optimal golf swing, what would be the approach to your golf improvement program?

Since the golf swing takes place on your feet, you would definitely want to do many of your exercises on your feet. Doesn�t that make sense? Since you are in a dynamic (golf posture) position, you would want to strengthen the muscles that help maintain this position.

Because golf is a turn back (rotation) and a turn through (rotation), you must focus on both core strength and flexibility from a rotational standpoint. Not doing so, will slow your golf improvement and not give you the results you were hoping for.

Balance is critical to maintain a consistent swing with optimal mechanics, therefore you would want to challenge and improve your body awareness. This entails doing exercises on unstable surfaces; isolating just one side of the body, then the other to balance it out; and using many different modes of resistance (for example bands, handweights, stability balls, medicine balls, and even body weight).

Along with balance is stability. They go hand-in-hand, and in order to improve stability, you need to work on strengthening your lower body, specific to the dynamic movement of the golf swing. This would be from a lateral (side-to-side) motion, to a definite rotational (turning) motion. Training your lower body to improve stability is a must to produce repeatable shots.

We cannot ignore golf-specific flexibility in regards to utilizing golf strength exercises. But the type of flexibility needed is once again, dynamic. I hate to keep using that word, but the golf swing, is not like other athletic movements. Being in golf posture and moving that club at up to 100 mph takes a tremendous amount of flexibility in the major joints of the body.

Stretches that are most effective are movement oriented stretches, not static (holding) stretches. Improving your range of motion, with motion stretches is the only way to go. Taking a look at body positions throughout the swing will give you a better idea of the types of movement stretches you need to do to maximize your body�s ability to produce consistent power.

None of the above can be attained sitting in a stationary machine in a gym. I hate to burst your bubble. Don�t get me wrong. Any exercise is better than no exercise; but if you want to make better use of your time, you�ve got to participate in more golf strength exercises, than machine (general) exercise.

So next time a golfing buddy says he/she is training for golf; ask them what kind of exercises they are doing. You�ll now know if they are truly golf strength exercises.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance swing trainers in the country. Golf Magazine's expert at GolfOnline.com, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

This article is free for republishing

The golf swing is a physically demanding movement. Until golfers realize this, their pursuit of the perfect swing will never be achieved. Mike Pedersen is President/CEO Perform Better Golf which offers golf training dvds, manual and equipment. Get Mike's free Fit To A Tee ebook by subscribing at http://www.performbettergolf.com

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Golf Fitness Helps Generate More Speed in Your Swing!
by: Sean Cochran

The golfing industry speaks about clubhead speed constantly. We see advertised in the golf magazines all the time. We hear about it on the Golf Channel endlessly

Clubhead speed is more a result of what you do with the golf club than an entity of its own. A driver is not going to generate clubhead speed on its� own! Someone has to swing it!

Clubhead speed is contingent upon swing speed. Swing speed is directly related to the person swinging the golf club. So the question to really ask is:

How Do I Develop Huge Gains in My Swing Speed?

Another term directly related to swing speed and clubhead speed is power.

More Power = More Swing Speed = More Clubhead Speed

Bottom line is we are looking to increasing the power outputs of your golf swing. This will allow for an increase in swing speed. An increase in swing speed translates to more clubhead speed.

So how do we increase the power in our golf swing?

Two aspects require tuning and development of you wish to improve the power in your golf swing.

� Number One: Improve Your Swing Mechanics
� Number Two: Improve Your Body

Developing optimal swing mechanics is the first part of the equation to great power.

The golf swing is one of the most difficult, finite, and complex athletic movements performed. As a result, it requires time spent on the refinement of the movements involved.

Any athletic movement, the golf swing included, can be performed efficiently or inefficiently.

An efficient golf swing allows for the highest percentage of power generated by the golfer to be translated into the club, and delivered into the golf ball. An inefficient golf swing decreases the amount of power delivered to golf swing.

Efficient Golf Swing Mechanics = High Power Outputs

Inefficient Golf Swing Mechanics = Low Power Outputs

A pretty simple equation if you think about it.

Now how do you develop efficient golf swing mechanics?

Through a process of proper instruction, proper practice, and time. The body can learn either the correct or incorrect way to swing a golf club. In order to learn the correct way to swing a golf club, proper instruction is required.

Secondly, the body learns through repetition. In order to learn efficient golf swing mechanics it is necessary to practice the correct way to swing. Finally, this process takes time.

The body will not learn how swing a golf club correctly in a day. It takes consistent time spent on the swing.

Putting it in math terms, the equation for efficient golf swing mechanics is:

Proper Instruction + Proper Practice + Time = Efficient Golf Swing Mechanics

Unfortunately, efficient golf swing mechanics is only one-half of the equation to increasing clubhead speed, swing speed, and power.

The second half is your body.

The golf club cannot develop power on its own. It is a combination of developing efficient golf swing mechanics and a body that can generate power.

A Body that can Generate Power = Increased Clubhead Speed

Your body swings the club through the mechanics of the golf swing. In order to perform this efficiently and powerfully requires the development of certain disciplines within your body.

Generating power in the golf swing requires your body to be:

� Flexible
� Strong
� Powerful

The development of these three disciplines within your body allows the foundation to swing the golf club with more power.

If your body is inflexible, weak, and powerless, generating clubhead speed will be very difficult, let alone performing the mechanics of the golf swing correctly. How do you develop such a body for the golf swing?

Quite simply by implementing a golf fitness program. A golf fitness program will develop the required flexibility, strength, and power required of the golf swing.

It comes down to this equation:

Efficient Golf Swing Mechanics + A Flexible, Strong, & Powerful Body = Increased Clubhead Speed

Put in place a plan to develop efficient golf swing mechanics and a powerful body. The swing speed and clubhead speed you desire can be a reality. Remember; proper instruction, practice, time, and golf fitness training are the keys to more power, more swing speed, and more clubhead speed.

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