If I were to ask you if your current golf game is as good as you would like it to be, what would you say? If your game is not up to the standards you feel it could be at, what parts of your game are you working on to try and get better? When you really break it down, there are three main areas that you can work on to improve your game:
Technical - Mastering the technical execution of the golf swing to produce an efficient and repeatable swing.
Mental/Emotional - Having the focus and mental toughness to handle the highs and lows of golf.
Physical - Ensuring that you body is properly conditioned to prevent injury and generate explosive power consistently. Your technical proficiency down the stretch also depends greatly on your conditioning levels.
For most people looking to improve their game the first choice mentioned above, technical, is the most common game improvement strategy. Logic tells us that if we continue to practice then we are bound to get better.
Unfortunately, the average golfer's idea of practicing is beating balls with no purpose in mind, not taking mental note of what is and is not working, wasting our time and doing more harm to our game than good. I can say all this because I use to practice like that and found that it was very inefficient and unproductive.
For most golfers the technical component of the golf swing is not their weakest link. Rather, it is the physical component that typically is weakest, which leads to an inconsistent swing, reduced power, rapidly decreasing energy levels, greater chance of injury, sore/painful joints and the inability to significantly improve their game.
Consider this quote from Tiger Woods on how golf specific conditioning has improved his game. "When I first became a professional I didn't have the strength to execute some of the shots I can do today. A lot of what I've been able to accomplish in golf is the direct result of becoming physically stronger."
Now let me ask you how your game would change if, every hole, after you hit your drive, I was to move your ball 30 yards further up the fairway towards the green? Think would start hitting those second shots closer to the pin, have more birdie opportunities and shoot some better scores? Well, it is completely within your power to take your current drives and add on another 30+ yards to where they are currently landing.
Golf specific conditioning truly is on the cutting edge of overall game improvement strategies. The physical component of the golf game is often ignored and hence, is the area for greatest and most immediate improvement for most golfers (2,3,6). It is also an excellent strategy to reduce the risk of lower back injuries associated with the golf swing (1,2,4,5,7).
Hopefully after reading this article you will realize that there are many ways to improve your golf game and that conditioning your body is a critical component in taking your game to the next level.
References
Reed EdD, ATC. 2005: Strength and Conditioning Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Lower Back Injuries Associated With the Golf Swing. Strength and Conditioning Journal: Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 10-13.
Frederick E. Hetu EdM, CSCS and Avery D. Faigenbaum EdD, CSCS. 1996: Conditioning for Golf: Guidelines for Safe and Effective Training. Strength and Conditioning: Vol. 18, No. 5, pp. 22-28.
Wayne L. Westcott PhD, Fred Dolan and Tom Cavicchi. 1996: Golf and Strength Training Are Compatible Activities. Strength and Conditioning: Vol. 18, No. 4, pp. 54-56.
Parziale, John R. MD Healthy Swing: A Golf Rehabilitation Model. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 81(7):498-501, July 2002.
Takata, J. H.; Bowen, J. D. SPINE INJURY - GOLF. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 30(5) Supplement:44, May 1998.
Cronin, J., P.J. McNair, and R.N. Marshall. Is velocity-specific strength training important in improving functional performance? J. Sports. Med. Phys. Fitness 42:267-273. 2001
Gambetta, V. Building the Complete Athlete. Sarasota, FL: Gambetta Sports Training Systems, Inc.
As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the NSCA, Jason Krantz's focus is on significantly improving the power levels and injury resistance of all golfers. He specializes in power enhancement and all related components of improved golf performance. For more information on how Jason can help your game visit http://www.sonicboomgolf.com
You can also try out the Virtual Launch Monitor at http://www.sonicboomgolf.com/virtual_launch_monitor2.php This tool will show you how altering different variables involved in producing distance will affect how far your ball will travel and will show you how you can maximize your distance off the tee.