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Increase Your Swing Speed and Hit Like a Pro with Golf Training Aids

Whack! The feeling of a great drive, the sweet feel as the ball jumps off the clubface and rockets down the middle of the fairway– it’s one of the best parts about playing golf, and one of the reasons that we keep coming back for more punishment. If only it would happen more often! Ah, to see the green envy in your opponents’ eyes when your ball blasts by theirs.

Unfortunately, the average male golfer’s swing speed is around 85 mph. With a USGA conforming driver, this equates to drives of about 225 yards, an embarrassing 83 yards shorter than Tiger Woods’ average drive, and even 35 yards shorter than Cory Pavin, who is the shortest driver on the PGA Tour. So most of us go to the course with an inferiority complex already deeply ingrained from watching Tour broadcasts which constantly and blatantly rub our faces in the fact that the pros outdrive us by a country mile. No wonder most amateurs can’t relax over the ball and tend to over swing. How could the average guy hope to hit the ball that far?

Well, the good news is — it’s possible for you to hit long drives! To hit like the pros, all you have to do is swing as fast as they do, while at the same time maintaining your balance. If it sounds like it is easier said than done, just think about this: As mentioned before, Corey Pavin, the shortest hitter on the PGA Tour, averages just under 270 yards per drive. He is 5′ 9″ tall and weighs 155 pounds. Now, the average male is 5′ 9″ tall and weighs 190 pounds. If Corey Pavin can average 270, then you can hit it just as long or longer!

Let’s set a goal of out driving Corey Pavin, so we can tell ourselves honestly that we can drive the ball as far as someone on the Tour. To figure out how to do this, let’s start with the average swing speed of 85 mph and average distance of 225 yards. Now, physics tells us that we get approximately 3 extra yards per additional mile per hour of swing speed. So, if we want to go from 225 to 270 to beat Corey Pavin, that means we need 45 extra yards, which equates to adding 15 mph to the swing speed.

How can you use golf training aids to add that extra 15 mph? Since low swing speed is usually the result of a combination of factors including; untrained muscles, poor technique, and lack of physical fitness, a multi-pronged approach is required to get to the goal fast! To accelerate your progress, you can use golf training aids to train and strengthen your golf-specific muscles, to correct poor technique, and to improve your overall fitness. A variety of training aids exist to help with this. Here’s a 3-step plan for increasing your swing speed as fast as possible:

1. Make sure that your grip, swing path, and swing plane are correct. It will do no good to increase your swing speed if technical flaws in your swing prevent you from hitting the ball straight. I suggest using a single training aid for both grip and swing plane (many exist with this combination) and another training aid for swing path. For example, a hinged club with a molded grip is perfect for grip and swing path, while a foam obstacle training aid will work well for keeping your swing path on track. Practice with these training aids for at least 2 weeks before moving on to step 2.

2. Get some type of weighted club. Weighted clubs are perfect for training the golf specific muscles to have the strength and explosive power that you need to produce higher swing speeds. In addition, training with a weighted club can increase your core stability and balance if done properly. Be very careful not to over swing with a weighted club since you can injure yourself! Stretch out and warm up thoroughly before you even start swinging the heavy club. I suggest using this training aid at least 3 days a week, but not more than 5. It’s important to let your muscles rest a bit each week.

3. Get a golf fitness book to augment your regular training program. Overall physical fitness is just as critical to your golf game as golf-specific training. Work out 3 times a week and don’t forget your cardio to reduce fatigue at the end of your round!

If you take these three steps I think you will see a great improvement in your driving distance within 2 months, if not sooner. Good luck and I hope to see you on the par fives in two!

John Swantek recaps the opening round of the 2010 Northern Trust Open from historic Hogan’s Alley. Dustin Johnson takes the early lead over Andres Romero and Kevin Stadler, with two-time defending champion Phil Mickelson eight shots back. For complete coverage, visit PGATOUR.COM.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

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Golf Workouts Will Increase Your Golf Swing Speed And Distance

I’m sure by now you’ve heard most of the professional players; both men and women actively participate in golf workouts. It’s no secret. But why then do most amateur golfers ignore this? Is it because it seems like work? Or, does the thought of actually breaking a sweat get you tired already?

Vijay Singh Does Golf Workouts

Either way…the proof is in the bag. The number one player in the world, Vijay Singh, does his golf workouts all the way through Sunday of each tournament. Does it look like it’s hurting his game? I don’t think so. Back in 1997, a young, very athletic golfer came on the professional scene and blew everyone away. I think you know who I’m talking about.

Tiger Woods Golf Workout Routine

Tiger took golf to another level. A real eye-opener for the veteran players who were hitting the 19th hole after every round…and the last thought on their mind was “exercise”. What a wake-up call to be totally dominated by a player who was only 20 years old at the time.

Annika Sorenstam Credits Her Golf Exercises

How about the year Annika Sorenstam shot a 59 and totally dominated the LPGA? Do you know what she attributes it to? Golf workouts! She hired a trainer and got serious about her fitness. And look what happened? She hasn’t looked back since. She just recently came out with an instruction book and devoted a chapter to golf workouts.

To my recollection, that’s the first women’s instruction book to include golf workouts. Working out to playing better golf isn’t just for the guys; Annika has proved that. Now more LPGA players are working out to try and catch her, just like the guys did with Tiger.

Senior Golfers Now Do Golf Fitness Programs

How about the senior tour? Now players are realizing they can still make good money, even after they’ve turned 50 and can’t really compete with the young guys anymore. With the money at stake, they too are all working out. This group of players both amateur and pro is the biggest demographic that needs it the most.

With age comes a decline in both flexibility and strength. When the body declines, the swing goes right along with it. The result is a big loss in yardage, more mishits, and ballooning scores. The end result…frustration! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve played with and received phone calls from older golfers who are just about ready to quit the game.

They are SO frustrated at this rapid decline, that golf’s not fun anymore. But there is hope. The answer? Get your body moving just a little better. How? By participating in workouts for golf program that focuses on golf-specific strength AND flexibility. It’s amazing to see golfers in this age bracket dramatically improve their driving distance, accuracy and scores.

You don’t have to accept that with age, your body declines. No way! You’ve got to fight it all the way! I’m dead serious. The ones who do, are the ones who are enjoying the game again and taking all the money in their foursome.

What Is A Golf Workout

What is a golf workout anyways? Is there such a thing? You bet there is. The golf swing is an awkward movement that puts a tremendous amount of stress on the body. To prevent injury and improve swing speed and distance requires your body to be both strong and flexible specific to the swing.

I could spend dozens of pages describing what this entails, but for the sake of this concise article, let’s keep it simple.

Golf Is Rotational

The golf swing is a rotational movement, with your body in golf posture. Slight flex of the knees and a bending forward at the hips. Since the golf swing is primarily rotational, wouldn’t it make sense to focus on rotational strength and flexibility? That is improving your turning ability related to range of motion and speed.

So anything involving twisting with resistance such as a medicine ball, a dumbbell, or even a weighted club would work. You need to have a resistance to take your body beyond where it normally goes.

For instance, if you took a club and placed it behind your neck, got in your golf posture and rotated back and forth; do you think that by itself would improve your range of motion or power?

Use A Weighted Golf Club

No, you need to add resistance to accomplish this. Take a weighted club and make golf swings. Now you’ll be making a bigger turn AND improving your power. Same thing with a medicine ball. Make turns back and through holding a 4 to 6 pound ball and you’ll see a BIG improvement.

In fact, most of your abdominal work should be rotational. Doing straight crunches won’t improve your driving distance. Doing rotational movements with added weight will. This is where I could go on and on, but I won’t overload you.

Golf Workouts Will Transform Your Golf Swing

I hope I’ve convinced you to take a real serious look at what all the other successful professional players are doing to stay at the top of their game. Doing golf workouts can and will dramatically change your game forever. Now get out there and get it started. No procrastinating. Do it right now!

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Golf Swing: 3 Ways to Develop More Power

Golf Swing: 3 Ways to Develop more Power

How can you improve the power of your golf swing? This is a question that all of us want an answer to. Most golfers go to great lengths to get that extra yard off the tee. But how many people actually know that golf swing power is the result of these three specific factors?

* The first and probably most evident of the three is ’swing mechanics’. Everybody is aware of how important the mechanics of a swing are when it comes to driving the ball. If you are over the top with your swing or come inside too much, you’ll see that dreaded slice or snap hook. Your drives will be inevitably be too short, too low, too high, left, right, or a combination of these if you are putting bad swings on the ball.

To improve your game, it is essential for a golfer to work on the mechanics of the swing at every possible opportunity. The golf swing is a highly complex, mechanically movement, that requires constant work to keep it highly efficient and in check. Professionals realise the importance and have swing coaches that work with them on a consistent basis.

Amateurs throughout the world pack driving ranges, week in and week out, pounding balls without any improvement. This, I feel, is a result of one of two things: a lack of instruction, or low levels of golf strength. A lack of instruction leads to the development and ingraining of improper swing mechanics. This only results in slices, hooks, topping the ball, and hitting it fat on the course. And we all know that those types of swings lead to frustration and bad rounds of golf. I would suggest to almost anyone: find a good instructor and take lessons on a consistent basis. This can only help your game in the long run. But if private lessons sound too expensive for ‘just a past-time’ then consider video tutorials and books in the very least. Swing mechanics are a fundamental in improving your power.

* The second of the three factors is what we term golf strength. It is probably the least recognized of the three, but for many is the ‘key’ to longer drives; yet the category is given the least amount of attention, especially by amateurs. Golf strength is defined as how well your body is conditioned to swing a golf club with maximum power (ie. it is a measure of fitness). Although probably the least understood of the three, golf strength maybe the most needed by golfers in general.

Strength, in terms of golf, is not about how much you can bench press or how much your biceps bulge! Golf strength and weight room strength, are very different. If you do not quite understand the difference, ask yourself one question: How many bodybuilders do you see on Tour?!!

It comes down to this idea: the mechanics of a golf swing require specific levels of flexibility, balance, stability, strength, endurance, and power to perform it efficiently. If your body does not have these required capacities, then the result will be obvious a less than optimal swing.

Essentially, your body supports your swing. I am sure that all of us would choose to build a house on a stone foundation rather than a sand foundation, wouldn’t we? Yet I will say that many amateurs make a different choice when it comes to their golf swing.

Regardless of how much time you work on your swing mechanics, if your body does not have the ‘golf strength’ to support the swing, you are limiting your potential. I have seen it numerous times, people practicing at the range who struggle, not because of trying to get better, but because their bodies are limiting what they can do with their swing. Quite often I see people with limited flexibility, poor balance capabilities, and low levels of strength and power. The bottom line is that your mechanics will not get better until you fix the body that swings the club!

Up to this point we have discussed the two most important ideas when it comes to power on the golf course. A review of the topics tells us that they are optimal swing mechanics and the proper levels of ‘golf strength’. One without the other is going to leave you short when it comes to potential in your game.

* The third most important factor to improve the power of your golf swing is: equipment. Yes, equipment. It does make a real difference to how far you drive the ball. The equipment manufacturers have let this fact be known to everyone, and I bet we all have gone to the pro shop probably more than twice to pick up a new driver that claims to give us that elusive 20 yards. It should be remembered however that, that extra distance might not be down the middle of the fairway; it will give you an extra 20 yards alright… but it could be left, could be right, or it could be down the centre of the fairway. That all depends on points one and two of this article. Equipment and technological advances have definitely lengthened the distance of our drives. But without better swing mechanics and your body in better golf shape, new technology will not help your game. A bad swing will produce a bad result, regardless of what type of ‘new’ driver you may have just purchased.

I think the majority of golfers are aware of the advances that have occurred in golf equipment over the last 20 years. I mean, in the glorious ’80’s when we were still playing with woods that actually had wooden club heads! Imagine that for a moment, and now we are using drivers with space age faces that shoot the ball off of them at warp speed. In addition, we have to mention the advances in terms of golf balls. How manufacturers design golf balls today makes a difference in how far they travel. What a lot of people do not realize is that the USGA has set standards on how ‘hot’ driver faces can be and how ‘fast’ balls can come off the face of drivers. Most clubs are reaching this limit, and anything past these USGA rules becomes illegal to play (in the professional game only of course!).

There’s no doubt that custom made golf clubs can make a significant improvement to your swing power. But before you go off and spend a fortune, remember the saying: ‘a bad workman always blames his tools’. In other words, first improve the fundamentals of your swing mechanics and golfing fitness before you make any purchase.

So in summary, what does power really come down to?

It comes down to three simple ideas. Number one is improving your golf swing mechanics. Improved mechanics will improve your driving distance. Number two is improving your golf strength. By improving your body as it pertains to the golf swing you will improve your distance off the tee. Finally, equipment does make a difference, but only if you hit the ball correctly.

Best of luck with your game.

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What is the Magic in Lee Trevino’s Golf Swing?

Lee Trevino certainly didn’t take the traditional route to becoming a great PGA Tour Golfer. The “Merry Mex” did not grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth so he had to learn golf the hard way…Lee Trevino found his swing in the Mexican dirt with long and hard practice sessions.

Lee certainly has a great understanding of the golf swing. His golf swing is far from classic as he reroutes his golf club on the way down…not a conventional golf swing to say the least. One thing Lee Trevino understands very well is how the golf ball responds to the club face at impact….which is the only thing the golf ball cares about. Do you think the golf ball cares about how your swing looks? All it knows is what is happening at impact.

When I finally figured out what Lee Trevino was talking about it made a tremendous impact on how solidly I began to strike the ball. I know this is a clich?nd you probably have heard it a million times, you must hit down on the golf ball to make it go up! Do you know what is really happening when a golf ball is well struck at impact? It took me 8 years before I figured this out…and it was Lee who finally explained it to me.

For some reason most recreational golfers feel they need to help the golf ball go up by flipping their hands at impact…if there ever was a move in the golf swing that robs you of power, this is it. Lee Trevino says the key to making solid contact with the golf ball is to visualize the club face as being the back of your left hand as you swing the club. On the down swing he imagines “trapping” the back of his left hand into the back of the ball…an incredibly powerful move that keeps the golf club at a right angle with the left arm deep into the downswing. “Hit the back of the ball with the back of the left hand” is Lee’s mantra. World famous golf swing guru Butch Harmon says he likes to feel like he has Bethlehem Steel in his left wrist at impact.

So what happens to the golf ball at impact when it is struck correctly? When you swing down on the ball at impact the golf ball actually spins up the club face to the top grooves. This is what the grooves in the club face are for…this is what gives the golf ball spin. How do you think pro golfers stop the ball on a dime on the green? They are using more of the grooves on the club face than amateurs. Golfers who flip the club face at impact are only utilizing the bottom grooves on the club face…the result; a weak, flat trajectory with little spin…Their left wrist has completely broken down at impact.

Watch the golf pros left wrist at impact…most of them have a bowed left wrist at impact…the opposite of the golfers who flip at the ball where the left wrist has broken down. This bowed left wrist allows a late powerful release into the golf ball…the secret to tremendous power off the tee. Next time you go to the range, think “Back of Left Wrist Into Back of Ball” as you start your downswing. This mental image forces you to swing from the inside and retain the release deep into the downswing. You will notice your golf ball has a much more flatter, penetrating ball flight. Your golf ball will have a higher trajectory and it will go a lot further.

Try it…it works!

Hit ‘em Long and Straight!

John Lynch

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Golf Fitness Exercises to Train the Core to Improve the Golf Swing

Golf fitness exercises to train the core can improve your golf swing. Many questions from golfers exist on what are the best golf exercises to train the core for the golf swing. Today, we are going to answer these questions and provide some beneficial golf fitness exercises for the core. First and foremost we must understand what is the core. The core is simply a reference to an anatomical area of the body. Essentially, it is all the muscles, bones, and nerves from just above your knees to slightly below the chest. Not only does it include muscles on the front of your body such as the abdominals. It includes the muscles on the sides and back of your body. This would include muscles in the hips, glutes, obliques, and lower back.

Now that we have a basic understanding of what the core entails, let us answer the next question; why is the core important for the golf swing. The execution of the golf swing requires you to maintain a set spine angle and specific postural positions. For example, the ability to maintain a set spine angle in the swing requires postural stabilization strength. Postural stabilization strength is the ability to maintain a specific postural or body position during movement. The ability to complete this physical task effectively rests upon the muscular strength and endurance of your core. If your core musculature is lacking strength the ability to maintain a consistent spine angle will be compromised.

In addition, during the golf swing the core creates muscular force in a rotational pattern. This force is transferred into the golf club during execution of the swing. The power developed by your core, and the power created within the mechanics of your swing will determine your clubhead speed.

As you can see from the information above the core is directly connected the biomechanics of the golf swing as well as the creation of clubhead speed. That being said, it goes without saying certain levels of muscular strength, endurance, power, and coordination are required from this area of the body. The process by which we can develop these physical parameters within the core is through golf specific fitness exercises.

Golf specific fitness exercises will train the core section of body to the positions, movements, and physical requirements of the golf swing. Stabilization and rotation are key components of such exercises. Basic exercises I often recommend to develop the core for golf are; Prone Holds, Bent Knee Back Holds, Seated Russian Twists, Jack Knife’s, and Alternating Arm and Leg Extensions. All of these exercises train the required components of the core for the golf swing.

Keep in mind the core is an anatomical area of the body where the majority of the movements within the golf swing occur. As a result this section of the body must be flexible, strong, and powerful in order to execute the golf swing correctly. Golf fitness exercises focusing upon the core can create these needed physical parameters within the body to improve your golf swing. There is no doubt the utilization of golf exercises to improve the strength, endurance, power, and flexibility in your core will improve your golf game.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly working with professional golfers, most notable PGA and Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean Cochran and his golf fitness exercises and training programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

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Golf Fitness Stretching and Golf Exercises to Improve Your Golf Swing

Golf fitness stretching and corollary golf exercises are an easy way to improve your golf swing. The utilization of golf exercises within a golf fitness program can enhance many aspects of the golf swing and your golf game.The amateur golfer can improve their ability to execute the golf swing, complete a full shoulder turn, generate more clubhead speed, and hit more accurate shots with improved flexibility. The process an amateur golfer can improve their flexibility is through golf stretches.

Before providing information on what are the best stretches for golfer let us define flexibility. Flexibility refers to range of motion. It is defined as the optimal extensibility of all soft tissues in the body (Michael Clark, Director, National Academy of Sports Medicine). The biomechanics of the swing require the golfer to swing the club on the correct plane. In order for the biomechanics of the swing to be executed correctly every muscle, ligament, and tendon in the body must allow for optimal joint range of motion.

Increased flexibility is the benefit of stretching. These benefits occur through the elongation (i.e. stretching) of soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments). Typically certain muscles in your body are in a shortened position (i.e. “tight”), causing restrictions in the golf swing. Golf stretches (i.e. elongating) these muscles alleviates these muscles alleviates these restrictions allowing for the ranges of motion required of the golf swing to develop.

Because the golf swing requires a large range of motion from multiple joints (ankle, hip, thoracic spine, and shoulder), I suggest performing a series of flexibility exercises for the entire body. Many golfers will find “tightness” in the hamstrings, hips, lower, and upper back causing restrictions in their joint range of motions as well as golf swing. This may require additional golf stretches to assist in the restrictions caused by these muscles.

Guidelines to golf stretches are quite simple. A comprehensive series of stretches for golf should be completed a minimum of four times per week. If an individual desires these exercises can be performed daily. In addition to performing golf stretches multiple times per week each exercise should be take each target muscle passively to the point of “tension” and holding the stretch for 30 seconds. Do not attempt to “bounce” or “push” the stretch for this can result in injury. Pay strict attention to technique with each of your stretches. It also recommended to perform a warm-up prior to your golf stretches to get more out of each exercise. The following are the stretches I often recommend to the amateur player; Rotators, 90/90 Hamstrings, Cats Down, Cats Up, Piriformis, Kneeling Hip Flexor, Openers, Standing Calf, and Standing Quadricep.

Remember how golf fitness stretches and other types of golf exercises can improve many aspects of your golf swing. The placement of golf fitness stretches in a golf training program is one step to improvement in your golf swing. Keep in mind what is required from the body in regards to the golf swing, and that one of these requirements is drawing the club through a long range of motion. If your body lacks the flexibility to perform this requirement of the golf swing, the ability to execute and efficient golf swing will be compromised.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly working with professional golfers, most notable PGA and Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean Cochran and his golf fitness exercises and training programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

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Golf Fitness Programs, Golf Exercises, and Golf Fitness Training to Improve Speed in the Golf Swing

Golf fitness programs, golf exercises, and golf fitness training are all beneficial to improving speed in the golf swing. A key for improvement in terms of increasing golf swing speed is utilizing golf fitness exercises which include core exercises. These types of golf exercises will help you to drive the golf ball farther off the tee box.

Golf fitness exercises are an integral part of increasing club head speed. The creation of ball speed occurs by improvement in two areas. Number one is your swing mechanics. The more efficient at which you execute the biomechanics of the golf swing, the greater amount of energy will be translated into the golf ball at impact. So, first and foremost, increasing club head speed is directly connected to your swing mechanics.

The second part of increasing club head speed is connected to your body. In order to execute the biomechanics of the golf swing efficiently, certain levels of flexibility, strength, endurance, and power are required from your muscular system. If you are lacking in any of these physical capacities, the ability to execute the golf swing will be inhibited.

The results will be compensations and a loss of club head speed at impact. In order to ensure the body has the required levels of flexibility, strength, endurance, and power to execute a swing, golf specific exercises can be implemented into a training program.

Such a training program will focus upon the core section of your body. The core is a reference to an anatomical area of the body from just above the knees to just below the chest. The core incorporates all the muscles of the front, sides, and back of the body. Muscles groups found within the core are the glutes, abdominals, obliques, and hamstrings.

Why does a golf fitness specific training program focus upon the core?

Simply because the majority of movements of the golf swing involve the musculature of the core, and for this reason these muscles need to be flexible, strong, and power.

Knowing the importance of the core relative to the golf swing, the next question to ask is how can we increase club head speed with training the core?

Club head speed in terms of the body is measured as power. Increasing the power outputs of the core will assist in improving your club head speed. Assuming you have developed the required levels of flexibility, strength, and endurance within the core to simply execute the biomechanics of the golf swing efficiently. The addition of power training exercises will assist in improving the power outputs for the golf swing.

These types of exercises will focus on creating increased force outputs by the core in a rotational movement pattern. Exercises often found in this section of a core program for golf are medicine ball side throws, medicine ball reverse throws, jump squats, and medicine ball overhead throws. All of these exercises develop the power outputs of the core over time if performed on a consistent basis.

Remember the importance of golf fitness exercises, golf exercises, and golf training programs for increasing club head speed. Increased ball speed is contingent upon both your swing mechanics and body. Improvement in both of these areas is required if the desire is to increase the distance of your drives. Utilize golf exercises to train the aformentioned areas of the body within a golf fitness program. Secondly, work on the actual mechanics of the golf swing through proper golf instruction and practice.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly working with professional golfers, most notable PGA and Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean Cochran and his golf fitness exercises and training programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

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What are the Best Golf Fitness Flexibility Programs and Golf Exercises for Your Golf Swing

Golf fitness flexibility programs and golf exercises can be very beneficial to the golf swing. We must keep in mind the golf requires you to draw the club through a long range of motion. In order to complete this athletic requirement of the golf swing correctly, one must have a certain levels of flexibility within certain muscles and joints of the body. If you are lacking flexibility in these critical muscles and joints of the body as it pertains to the golf swing, compensations will occur. To prevent such a situation a golf fitness program with the correct golf flexibility exercises for the golf swing can be of great benefit.

What areas of the body require flexibility for golf? Golf is a sport that is classified as a “Functional Athletic Activity”. A Functional Athletic Activity can be defined as any athletic movement that requires the entire body to be integrated to perform the athletic activity.

What does that mean? Generally speaking, golf requires the entire body from “feet to fingertips” to execute the swing. Further more golf requires the entire body to have the proper flexibility to swing the club efficiently for accuracy and distance.

All to often the majority of golfers have limited flexibility in the shoulder capsule, lower back, pelvis, and hips. All of which hinder the ability to executing the swing.

Knowing the areas of the body requiring attention the next question to ask is; What types of flexibility exercises are best for this sport?

Different types of flexibility exercises exist. Most of you are probably familiar with static stretching; however, it is only one fraction of the exercises in the category of flexibility.

Many of us correlate flexibility to the stretching of muscles. Remember the definition of flexibility is related to joint(s) range(s) of motion. The stretching (lengthening) of muscles is only a portion of flexibility training. Two other types of flexibility training are beneficial as well for this sport.

The three types of flexibility utilized for golf are; responsive, operational, and dynamic. Each category has a benefit to the golfer and utilized together they will provide you the best benefit for your swing.

Responsive Flexibility Exercises: utilize movements that lengthen tissues to their normal resting length from a shorten position. Two types of exercise categories will be utilized: static stretching and myofascial release. Both of these exercise types assist in returning tissue to their normal length.

As an example, when your hamstrings feel “tight” they are in a shortened position. Static stretching and myofascial release techniques will assist in returning the hamstrings to a lengthened position in which they do not feel “tight”.

Operational Flexibility Exercises: incorporate exercises that move your joints through controlled ranges of motion. Operational flexibility exercises utilize your muscle’s ability to move the joints in a controlled manner at a specified rate.

For example, an operational flexibility exercise specific to golf is “hip rotations”. This flexibility exercise actively rotates your hips in a circular manner to prepare your body for the torque created in the golf swing.

Dynamic Flexibility Exercises: utilize the ability of your body to move your joints through full ranges of motion, integrating your entire body into the exercise.

A lunge with trunk rotation is a dynamic exercise that integrates (i.e. incorporates the entire body) the entire body in a golf specific flexibility exercise.

To summarize, a golf fitness flexibility program in addition to other golf exercises can be very beneficial to your golf swing. During the development of a golf fitness program keep in mind the importance of flexibility as it pertains to the golf swing, how the golf swing is a “feet to fingertips” athletic activity, and the different flexibility exercise classifications that encompass a comprehensive flexibility program for golf. Adding the correct golf exercises into your golf training program can make or break your golf swing and the benefits received from your golf training program.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly working with professional golfers, most notable PGA and Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean Cochran and his golf fitness exercises and training programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

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Golf Exercises to Help Maintain a Fixed Spine Angle in Your Golf Swing

Golf exercises can help you maintain a fixed spine angle in your golf swing. A number of components are required for successful golf shots. No matter if you are on the tee box or hitting a short iron shot to the green a fixed spine angle is necessary. As we all know alterations in your spine angle can easily cause compensations in your swing. Leading to miss-hits and bogies rather than birdies. One of these keys to improving your spine angle lies within golf fitness exercises and training.

Overall, a number of physical components are necessary for the execution of most any golf shot. The reason for this is connected to the requirement of drawing the club through a long range of motion on the correct swing plane. This leaves you with little room for error in either tempo or sequencing of every phase in the swing.

Now, in order to accomplish the requirements of the golf swing the amateur golfer must have certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, and power. If the body is lacking in any or all of these physical components, execution of the golf swing may be difficult. So in order to provide you with the opportunity to hit your golf shots successfully we can implement golf fitness exercises into your training program to develop these parameters.

A quick review of the golf swing indicates a requirement of maintaining a fixed spine angle as well as additional postural positions. In order for your body to perform these requirements of the golf swing the muscles of your body require certain levels of strength.

Strength relative to the golf swing can be defined as the ability of your muscles to exert the required levels of force to perform the movements within the swing. If your body is lacking in the levels of strength required of the golf swing. The ability to maintain your spine angle and postural positions of the swing will be compromised.

As stated previously the process of developing muscular strength for the golf swing is relatively simple. It consists of utilizing golf specific strength training exercises to develop the required levels of strength to maintain a consistent spine angle in your golf swing.

One such strength exercises I often use with professional golfers for this goal is Bent Knee Marches. This is a simple exercise to perform and is very proficient at developing strength in the hips, abdominals, lower back, and hamstrings. All of which are important muscles in the maintenance of your spine angle.

Begin the exercise lying with your back flat on the floor, knees bent, and feet together. Point your toes upward by pressing the heels into the floor. Elevate your hips off the floor inline with your knees and shoulders.

Slowly lift the left heel off the floor maintaining a bend in the knee and hips elevated. Continue to lift the heel 3-4 inches off the floor, pause for one second, and return to the starting position of the exercise. Repeat the “lift’ with the right heel. Alternate back and forth for 10-15 repetitions.

Keep in mind there are a number of components required in the execution of your golf swing. One of which is a fixed spine angle. And order to maintain a fixed spine angle certain levels of muscular strength are required of your body. Muscular strength for the golf swing can be improved through golf exercises such as the one described above. Keep in mind it is a series of golf exercises within a golf fitness program that can have a positive effect on both your spine angle and golf swing.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly working with professional golfers, most notable PGA and Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean Cochran and his golf fitness exercises and training programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

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Golf Fitness Exercises to Improve Balance and Stabilization in Your Swing

Golf fitness exercises in can improve the balance and stabilization capacities of your golf swing. Through these types of golf exercises the aspects of your golf swing such as speed and ball striking can improve. Keep in mind an important physical component relative to the translation of increased power development of your muscles for the golf swing is stabilization training. We know the creation of clubhead speed is contingent upon both your swing mechanics and body.

The more efficient in which the execution of golf swing occurs the greater amount of energy will be translated into the club thus increasing your clubhead speed. In addition if the muscles of your body are able to generate increased amounts of power within the structure of the golf swing this will also increase your clubhead speed.

Relative to increasing the power development of your muscles for the golf swing it is important to understand the necessity of this increased power to be contained within the mechanics of the golf swing.

Basically, if your body becomes more powerful and you are unable to utilize this increased energy efficiently within the mechanics of the golf swing, your swing will be compromised. In order to assure this situation does not occur with your golf swing we must increase the stabilization components of the body.

Improving the stabilization components of the body will allow you to efficiently utilize and transfer the increased power outputs of your muscles within the mechanics of the golf swing.

Stabilization can be defined as the ability of your body to efficiently maintain postural positions during functional movement patterns. This allows you to execute the athletic movement of the golf swing effectively.

Stabilization training entails developing increased levels of postural strength as well as efficiency within the nervous system. The improvement within these two physical parameters over time will enhance the stabilization capacities of your body.

As it pertains to the golf swing, it is ideal to utilize stabilization exercise incorporating the muscles used in the golf swing through the movement patterns of the swing. This will create a transfer of training effect from the exercises into the actual golf swing.

So remember the importance of golf fitness training and golf exercises to improve your swing. Keep in mind when the muscles of the body become more powerful it is imperative you develop the stabilization capacities of the body. This will allow you to efficiently utilize the power generated by your muscles within the mechanics of the golf swing.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly working with professional golfers, most notable PGA and Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean Cochran and his golf fitness exercises and training programs go to http://www.seancochran.com

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