Dr Greg Rose – Titleist Performance Institute

If I had to choose one form of exercise to perform to improve my golf swing, I would choose strength training every time. Most people think stretching and cardiovascular training are more important for improving golf performance than standard strength training. If you really sat down and thought about the physical requirements needed to have optimal performance in golf I think you would agree with me that strength training targets almost every aspect.

First of all, strength training will obviously improve stability and power in the golf swing. Stability is the combination of strength, balance, and muscular endurance which are all improved by performing functional strength training exercises. Power is the combination of strength and speed. It has been shown that optimal power programs all begin with a good platform of strength.

Secondly, endurance is always a big factor for performance on the back nine. The problem is most players are not fatiguing due to lack of cardiovascular conditioning. Instead, they are fatiguing due to lack of muscular endurance which is dramatically improved only by strength training. To target muscular endurance, and therefore improve endurance on the golf course, focus on low weight high repetition strength training.

Lastly, we also want to work on improving our mobility for optimal golf performance. When most people think about strength training they think this will limit their overall mobility. That is only true if strength training is performed in a shortened range of motion. If instead you take your muscles through a full range of motion with each strength training exercise, not only will you improve the strength of the muscle, but you will also improve the length of the muscle at the same time. It is like killing two birds with one stone.

So if you commit to a good strength training program, you can increase your strength and power, improve your endurance on the back nine, and create more flexibility in each muscle. Those are three things that I feel most golfers need the most.

Contact your local TPI Certified Fitness Instructor to help you’re improve your strength conditioning to improve your golf.