Where I live, offseason golf workout programs are a must. Due to the weather we get in the pacific northwest, my offseason is pretty long and wet.
There are many offseason golf workout programs on the market. Whatever you chose to go with, you need to stick with it.
No results will come if you don’t stick with it and push through the offseason.
Not a whole lot of people know about this one page on amazon. You can get anywhere from 10% off to 50% off on certain items.
But I chose to go with Joey D Golf. This is a program that quite a few PGA pros use to stay in shape during the season and after.
I’ve mentioned in other posts how much I enjoyed using this his program. Joey D Golf is hands down the best product out on the market and now you can get it on amazon in the link above.
Let’s Talk About The Benefits
If your body is weak and inflexible you will not be able to achieve optimal swing mechanics.
And if you can’t achieve optimal swing mechanics during the playing season, maybe the offseason is your chance to hit it hard.
Such things as a full shoulder turn, with minimal hip rotation is key. Creating and retaining torque (energy) in your core for maximum clubhead speed.
The proper sequence of motion with muscles firing at the appropriate time is also key.
Being able to swing just a little harder on long par 5’s and still be in control, that’s what you want.
Removing Tension From The Swing
Improve your flexibility, range of motion specific to your golf swing. You are able to make a full backswing with no tension in the supporting muscles of the swing.
Like the shoulders, lower back, upper back (lats), and even the wrists. It is known in most athletics that less tension equals more power.
More Energy For 18 Holes
One of the biggest culprits of back nine blow-ups is a loss of energy resulting in poor mental confidence and swing mechanics.
I see this one all the time when I play…golfers who are out of shape and lack appropriate fuel intake and maintenance.
I have certainly fallen victim to this but when I used Joey D. Golf, that changed.
Having energy for 18 holes builds tremendous confidence and a higher level of play.
I would say that I’m in pretty good shape and I know for a fact that my game goes downhill after the front nine.
Even if you keep pumping your body with the fuel it needs, it’s extremely difficult to walk a course, swing clubs, carry a bag, all while in the beating sun.
Golf specific exercises will help tremendously with this and specifically, Joey D Golf.
Elimination Of Injuries
Golf injuries are prevalent among all amateur golfers, especially senior golfers.
The golf swing is a damaging movement on the human body.
Swinging a club between 80-100 mph in less than a second can be traumatic.
Golfers who don’t have an adequate level of golf strength and flexibility are susceptible to injury every time they swing the club.
The lower back usually takes the brunt of the stress and strain. Then hips, knees, shoulders and even wrists.
A stronger, more flexible golfer will avoid injuries indefinitely.
Weight Loss
I have worked with over 10,000 golfers via my online golf performance website and they all fill out an initial golf fitness profile.
Since I review every one of them personally, I see how many of them have a weight loss of 10-30 pounds as a goal.
There are more overweight golfers on the course than fit ones.
This is because golfers have not come to the conclusion the fitness plays a critical role in golf performance.
Exercising will not only improve lean muscle but melt fat away. To not only improve their golf, but lose weight is icing on the cake for any golfer.
Improved Concentration
How many times have you had a good score going into the back nine only to have a couple of blow-up holes that ruined your score?
It happens all the time. Why? Because your body fatigues and your brain doesn’t maintain a high enough level of concentration.
The result is poor club selection; swing mechanics and diminishing confidence.
A fitter golfer will always have the edge over an out-of-shape one. When the round progresses and tension creeps in they will prevail every time.
The above are only a few golf exercise benefits…but enough to hopefully convince you that it’s worth looking into.
The golf swing is now being viewed as a very athletic movement, like baseball, tennis, etc…and should be approached from a conditioning emphasis.
I hope you now realize the return on investment from these golf exercise benefits.
Core flexibility training is critical if you want to improve your golf swing power and driving distance. Your core is the engine to your swing. If your core isn’t flexible, you will not be able to make a full backswing with minimal tension.
Picture your core being the middle of your body. That’s as simple as you can get it.
It is mainly your abdominals, but can also include glutes and lower back. This area of your body is the most susceptible to injury.
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That’s why exercises for driving long distances is crucial, you don’t want to get injured trying to outdrive your buddies.
Lower Back Pain?
That’s why the majority of amateur golfers have a low back injury at some point in their golfing career. They have never focused on core flexibility training, as well as core strength training for more power.
Have you ever seen the infomercial on the golf network called “Joey D Golf“?
Or maybe you have heard of it already and were wondering if it actually worked or not?
I purchased his kit for around $100 a few years ago and it was completely worth it. It focuses specifically on your core and if you already have a decent golf swing, this workout will take you to the next level.
Joey D Golf is mostly focused on core strength building and not so much core flexibility. But as you’re becoming more flexible, you could be building strength as well.
But you can get the DVD on amazon for a decent price, check it out in the link above. You won’t regret it!
Anyway, Where Were We?
Ahh yes, to produce more power and distance in your swing, you don’t swing harder with your arms. Haven’t you tried that before? If so, did you hit it farther? I’ll bet not.
Just like hitting a baseball, tennis ball or even throwing the discus in track and field, you use your core for most of your power. You rotate with your core to create torque, then you unleash that stored up energy into the hit, whether it be a baseball, tennis ball or golf ball.
The more efficient you become with using your core, arms, shoulders, and hands in a sequenced motion, the added distance will come quite easy. You’ll be shocked at how quickly your driving distance goes up.
Core flexibility training incorporates “rotation”. Golf stretching in this manner warrants the best results in the shortest amount of time!
Every core flexibility stretch you do should involve some form of rotating. This is very important since the golf swing is a rotate (turn) back and a rotate (turn) forward. The more range of motion you can achieve in your core area the more power you will produce.
Try This Right Now
Here’s a little test you can do while you’re sitting there reading this article!
Put your arms across your chest, keep your eyes focused straight ahead. Now rotate as far as you can to the right and make a not of how far it is. Did you get to a 90-degree shoulder turn (that’s where you need to be). Then rotate as far as you can to the left. How far did you get?
This will be a “wake-up” call for many of you. If you find you can’t rotate at least 70 degrees of center, you’ll have no chance at maximizing your power and driving distance.
We do this simple core flexibility test seated to remove cheating of the lower body. If you were standing, it would be very easy to rotate your hips and get a bigger shoulder rotation.
Being seated removes this compensation!
A seated rotation is “true” core flexibility and range of motion.
Let’s Talk About Some Exercises
So any core exercise for golf you do should incorporate rotational strength and flexibility. This is something Joey D Golf workout focuses on very well as I mentioned earlier.
One of the most difficult things for golfers to do is take a step back from their game and examine what they can do to improve performance. Strength training is a perfect example.
What almost all golfers overlook is developing the strength and awareness for the region of their body that can lead them to their best level no matter what the age or ability.
The Core
This area starts roughly at your belly button and goes up to the bottom of your sternum. It is the engine of your body and awareness of your core affects golf the most. Think of it as the link in the chain that needs to be the strongest, not the weakest.
Greg Norman would say when he wanted to hit it long he would get his belly button or belt buckle turning faster; which in other words is his or your core.
Some Simple Exercises
Two simple core exercises for golf that will quickly strengthen your core is ab crunches and back extensions. These would be the initial exercises, you need to work from a rotational standpoint to strengthen your core specific to golf.
Next
Once you’ve accomplished the above exercises, you can move on to a crunch with a twist and a back extension with a twist. This will hit your rotational strength right away.
You can then progress up to standing on your feet doing several different variations of rotational movements with a single dumbbell, standing upright and also in your golf posture.
Let’s Get Creative
Getting creative with what you have laying around your house or even your office will do just fine. So maybe you don’t need Joey D Golf workout program.
A good example is at your office. Your sitting in your chair in front of your computer and your back gets stiff. Don’t just let it get stiffer, do a rotational stretch right there on the spot in your chair.
Reach around the back of your chair with one hand, and leverage the other hand against your thighs to rotate as far as you can. Hold it for 10 seconds and go to the other side. How simple was that? Try it right now as you’re reading this article!
That would be considered one exercise for your core golf workout that will improve your power golf swing. Do this several times a day, and try to rotate farther each time you do it. You’ll notice you can go much farther the more you do it.
Get Creative
Grab anything you have in your home or office that you can hold in your hands. While sitting or standing, extend your arms straight out in front of you and while looking straight ahead, rotate with your arms as far as you can to the right holding this object. Now rotate to the left. Do this a total of 20 times.
You’ll notice you will be able to rotate farther and farther after each rotation!
How hard was that? No gym. No fancy equipment. Just a can of soup, or even a half gallon of milk. If you’ve got some hand weights gathering dust, that’s even better. Try to increase your weight as time goes on.
Hopefully, you’re getting the idea of what a core golf workout is that will improve your power golf swing quickly.
As a golfer, always pay attention to the physical requirements of the golf swing. What position your body is in. What movement your body goes through. And at what rate of speed.
When you approach your golf exercise and golf stretching program with this mindset you’re on your way to a power golf swing that will be the envy of your foursome.
Golfing magazines are full of tips and instruction and basic do this but don’t do those theories. How is it possible for a new golfer to really understand what aspects of the game are important and which ones are just someone’s overgrown opinion?
Simple trial and error can significantly help you deduce which golfing magazines, whether they are online or offline, are actually offering useful advice.
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Learning how to grip irons is somewhat simple and shouldn’t be anything you need to pay someone for. Nobody likes to pay for a service they are unhappy with, so why pay for a magazine that offers unusable tips?
How important is the golf grip anyway? This may or may not surprise you, it’s actually a vital part of the quality of a golfer’s game. Here’s an amazing Golf Grip Training Aid that is sold on amazon, this training aid is ranked as the number 1 best seller because it actually works.
The golfer’s grip is actually where the basic game begins. A weak and pliable grip will result in a weak and pliable swing. A grip that is too hard and stiff will produce a swing that is better suited for baseball than golf.
The first time anyone placed a golf club in my hand there was very little instruction on how to hold the club. I was taught how to lace my fingers in the right direction, but beyond that, there was very little guidance.
I hung on tight and baseball whacked the ball straight up a hill and into the windshield of the instructor’s car. That is an honest and true story. After that incident, my golfing days were numbered. I had excellent power but absolutely no control. I was, incidentally, a fairly good baseball player.
Obtaining a Better Golf Grip
Understanding the basics to a better golf grip can significantly lower your scores and best of all, improve your control. Starting with the left hand, this hand is responsible for gripping the club handle.
The fingers of the left hand begin the base grip. This is of course aimed at right-handed golfers. Those who are left-handed golfers would switch the entire process to adjust to their predominant hand.
Most people have heard the analogy that you want to grip the golf club as though you are shaking hands with it. While it is a good analogy in getting people to reach for the club in the appropriate manner, “Correcting Your Golf Grip To Improve Your Game” there is a lot of play in that golfing advice.
Let’s Do This
Let’s add a more specific notion of shaking hands with the golf club and meeting the knuckles of your left middle joint of the forefinger reaching approximately two inches from the top of the club handle and the bottom three fingers approaching the base of the club.
The right hand is then going to join in on the action and take its grasp around the golf handle. The club handle should rest right at the knuckle/palm intersection of the hand.
You don’t want the club to be too far toward the fingertips and you want the club to rest firmly toward the base of the fingers toward the hand.
Now you successfully have both hands on the club. Looking down at their position you should be able to find a V shape created by the thumb and forefinger on the left hand.
The V Shape
This V shape should have a direction. It should be aimed toward the right shoulder, pointing right about the middle of the shoulder to be precise.
Adjust your grip until you have the club lying toward the base of your fingers toward the palm and the V shape of the left thumb and forefinger pointing directly toward the middle of the right shoulder.
This seems like an awkward position, but once you adjust the grip accordingly, it should actually have a mildly normal feel to it.
Get comfortable with it and practice getting just those basics of the golf grip down without having to spend twenty minutes adjusting your grip every time you pick up a club. You should be able to get it to the point where this part of gripping the golf club is natural and automatic.
Some More Info
Once you have mastered this basic approach to gripping the golf club, start to take notice of some finer details in your grip. There should be a little flex to your left wrist. The wrist should take on a mild angle that resembles a “cupping” angle. Relax your wrists until you find that motion and angle.
The V shape that your right forefinger and thumb produce should be aimed up toward the right ear. All of these “aiming” suggestions are assuming that you are gripping the golf club in the stance you take just prior to swinging the golf club.
The palm of the right hand is basically responsible for the direction the ball will go once it is in the air. While you are standing there adjusting your grip on your golf club and finding the stance that works best for you, you want to keep in mind that your goal is to “aim” the golf ball with the palm of your right hand.
Cohesiveness
This of course only works if your grip on the golf club is accurate and your hands mold together as one cohesive unit.
When gripping your golf club, you want your hands to be able to work together. Aside from that, you want your hands to work in sync with the rest of your body.
By developing a natural but distinct grip on the golf club you can encourage your entire body to work cohesively all the way through to the end of the golf club and produce a swing that will carry the ball both the distance and the direction you are aiming for.
Practice your swing often and carry your follow through all the way through your body. This will help eliminate chop shots that result from an uncomfortable grip on the golf club.
Spending a little time at the driving range is always a good idea when making even minor adjustments to your swing. Practicing the adjustments for the first time on the fairway with a bunch of golfing associates is typically a frustrating maneuver.
White Knuckles
White knuckling the club is a common mistake when learning new procedures to gripping the golf club. A golfer tends to get nervous about his new technique or small adjustments and wraps the club in an all-out death grip. Relax a little and enjoy the challenge of creating a better golf swing.
On the opposite end of the scale avoid gripping the golf club with limp hands. This eliminates the control you are gaining by adjusting your grip in the first place and creates a very sloppy swing and follow through.
You want to grip the club firmly in your grasp and hold it with confidence. This confident but relaxed grip can help to flatten the head of the golf club as it makes contact with the golf ball, which can ultimately assist in cleaning up a slice.
Golfing Tips
The basics of gripping a golf club, while often an ignored or barely recognized intricacy of improving a golf game, is really only the beginning of overhauling an entire golf game.
From grips to stances to head movement issues there is a chronic plethora of advice and tips floating around out there on the internet and in golfing magazines. How do you asses which tips are worthwhile and which ones will simply destroy what golf skill you have picked up over time?
Not all golf tips apply to all people. Just because one set of tips is completely useless to you doesn’t mean they won’t help someone else recover a lost game.
Just Know
Every individual’s physical body is different, so sometimes just a small adjustment in the tip makes it a valuable golf tip to add to your game. Perhaps you are taller than average or smaller than average. Most golf tips are written with the average body in mind.
If you have particularly long arms, you may have to take that into account as you read through golf tips.
If you have been golfing for years and you have developed particular habits that are hard to break, remember that often the initial habit breaking period will lead to a decline in your golf game.
This is actually true of any sport. If the unusual habit is working well for you, there may not be a need to change it. If it isn’t working well for you and you decide to change it, be patient with yourself. It will take time to see any actual improvement.
Power can be elusive to golfers. Is it true that power can be generated through technique, strength or something more? Every golfer wants more power, more distance, more consistency.
Let’s face it, with the technology in golf clubs, golf balls, strength training, and nutrition, guys are hitting the ball 300 plus yards on a regular basis.
The fact still remains that when you are on the golf course you are walking (or riding) with a bag of tools. It is just a matter of using the right tool for the task at hand.
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Let’s Face It
Everybody wants to squeeze a few extra yards out of our driver, 3 wood or hybrid. Big ‘Ol long drives right down the middle of the fairway will do wonders for your confidence while administering blows to your competitors.
And not only that… a 7 or 8 iron into the green offers a much better chance at a birdie opportunity than does a 5 or 6 iron… the shorter the approach shot the better.
So, all you need to do is swing harder… right?
Wrong… if that were the case we would all resolve our distance problems tomorrow.
Yes, developing a greater clubhead speed could be a possibility and would seem to be the answer. But, more often than not swing harder usually at the very least will produce a snap hook or a banana ball. So, although clubhead speed is a crucial ingredient, physically swinging harder isn’t the correct answer.
Allowing your body and mechanics to generate more clubhead speed is the focus. Not making your body and mechanics do it.
Driving for distance is timing and technique that generates clubhead speed at the precise moment by timing the release of much-stored energy that you develop through proper swing mechanics… not bigger muscles.
Here are seven ways to generate the kind of power you have only dreamed of…until now.
Number One
Spinal Rotation. Every time you swing the golf club, you rotate around your spine.
What does this have to do with power?
Power is generated every time you stabilize your hips to make a full backswing with spinal rotation. Most golfers have heard of the X factor.
This, of course, refers to the differential between the movement in your hips and your spine. Increase your spinal rotation and a new sense of power will be released.
Number Two
Core Based Exercises. Your body’s “core”, the area around your trunk and pelvis, is where your center of gravity is located.
Here’s What I Mean
When you have good core stability, the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips, and abdomen work in harmony. They provide support to your spine. The core is the power zone.
It is where all movement begins. A well-developed core allows for improved force output, increased neuromuscular efficiency, and decreased incidence of overuse injuries. A weak core can make you susceptible to poor posture and injury.
Number Three
Plyometrics is an exercise where the muscle is contracted eccentrically then immediately, concentrically.
Put Simply
The muscle is stretched (i.e. loaded) before it is contracted. A good example is medicine ball horizontal twists and standing golf swings.
According to a recent study published in the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) journal, amateur golfers significantly increased their driving distances after just eight weeks of strength training while incorporating plyometrics.
Mean driving distance increased 4.3% for the combined training group, with mean club head speed increasing 1.5%.
Number Four
Change your stance, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you simply widen your golf stance, you will be more stable. This stability will give you the power you need to swing the club steady and powerful.
When you are at the tee box, make sure that you are properly aligned on it. Sometimes a confusing layout of a tee box can throw an even experienced golfer off. Make sure that you are always standing behind the ball and looking right down the fairway. This is by far the easiest way to avoid any stance confusion.
Number Five
Use your toes to aim at the target. If you are left-handed, simply point your right toe right at the target. If you are right-handed, then vice versa is true. This will not only help your balance but will force your body to take direct aim.
Number Six
Focus… and then focus some more. Take your mind off every little thought in your head that does not have to do with hitting this ball the right way. Concentration is absolutely necessary to drive your ball longer.
One little uninvited though could throw off your whole game… and you don’t want that, do you?
Number Seven
Consider your form. Do you hurry through your backswing? Or, do you take the club back as far as you possibly can when using a backswing?
Which hand do you use more power in when hitting the ball? Do you keep your head still when swinging at the ball? If the things you are trying now aren’t working, then you need to tweak or change them, so that you can get something to work right for you.
If it is your form that needs to be changed, try some different positions. See what works right for you.
In the case of keeping your head straight when hitting the ball, for example, this will help you to know where the ball is going to be when you hit it. If your head is not steady, your control over the ball is not going to be there.
And lastly, before you get out on the golf course, give yourself a little piece of advice: ‘You can do it.’ Not only can you drive your ball longer, but you can also have fun when doing so. The more you are relaxed when going to play the game of golf, the better it will turn out for you!
Whatever your golf handicap is, you’ve probably experienced days when everything on the course seemed to fall into place.
You’re golfing with a fun-loving foursome. You’re playing a great course on a great day. And you’re driving, chipping, and putting well. In fact, you’re doing everything well. It all seems so easy.
And, then, for no apparent reason, you lose it. You can’t do anything right. Your drives miss the fairways. Your approach shots fall way short. And your chip shots run by the hole and off the green.
Orange Whip
Just To Be Clear
The golf body turn vs. arm swing shouldn’t be an actual question. Let me explain!
To have a whole golf swing, it requires your body to turn… and for your arms to swing. Which is why I’m not sure why this question is being asked in the google search. But I will try to answer it!
Here’s a fantastic golf swing training aid that will help with lag and form. You can swing this inside, so if you live in a place where the weather isn’t great year round, this will be perfect.
Far And Few Between
Good shots are far and few between. And when you finally hit a good shot, you shank the next, turning pars into double and triple bogeys. Everything feels confused as if you’ve never hit a ball before.
One reason why we sometimes “lose it” is timing. In golf instruction timing means synchronizing your turning body and your swinging arms, resulting in a smooth release of the clubhead through impact and beyond.
Timing
Timing helps generate control, accuracy, and distance. More importantly, it helps generate swing consistency, regardless of your golf handicap.
How do you know when your timing is right? When your timing is on, your swing is fluid and effortless. It feels like your hitting the ball on the sweet spot every time.
And the ball is taking off. When your timing is off, your swing feels out of whack. You struggle to hit the ball, never mind generating distance or driving it straight. Your swing feels confused. In fact, everything feels confused.
More Timing
Your confusion often begins with a loss of timing. In golf, loss of timing occurs when the upper parts of your arms separate from your rotating chest halfway through your backswing and follow-through.
If you could see yourself in slow-motion, you’d see your left arm separate and lift from your chest in the backswing and your right arm separate and lift from your chest in the follow-through.
Recapturing your timing is essential to regaining that “everything is easy” feeling. It’s why we take golf lessons and read golf tips. The sensation you want to feel is that of the pressure being maintained between your upper arms and chest.
The left arm should stretch diagonally across your chest on the backswing and the right arm in a similar position in the follow-through. This is called linkage. When it’s broken, timing strays and confusion reigns.
Some Tempo
Another reason why we sometimes “lost it” is tempo. Tempo is the time it takes you to complete your full swing, from start to finish. When you’re playing well, you feel like your hitting the ball long, solid, and accurately.
You find your tempo is pretty much the same on every full shot. But when your game is off, your tempo is off as well.
Generally, a player’s tempo reflects his personality. If you’re a fast moving, quick talking type of person, your swing will be fast and quick. If you’re a laid back, easy-going type of person, your swing will be unhurried, easy by nature.
Timing & Tempo
When combined, timing and tempo help determine swing consistency. But neither is easy to develop. By working on both, you’ll develop the kind of swing even players with low golf handicaps will envy.
Here’s an exercise I use in my golf lessons to develop a player’s appreciation for his/her swing tempo:
Address a ball. Raise the clubhead off the ground slightly. Move it forward to a position a foot or so into the follow-through, and start swinging from there. Guide the clubhead back over the ball, complete your backswing, and swing through the ball all in one motion. Repeat this exercise a number of times. Eventually, you will start developing an appreciation of your swing tempo.
A Little Exercise Tip
Here’s an exercise to develop your swing’s linkage:
This exercise is designed to train no more than a three quarter length swing.
1.Place a ball on the ground. 2.Take a 9-iron and assume a normal address position. 3.Next, place a head cover underneath each armpit, 4.Take three-quarter length swings with the 9-iron. 5.Repeat the exercise
You want to focus on making the swing without losing the head cover; this forces you, in turn, to concentrate on rotating your arms and swinging your body together. Synchronizing your arms and body maintains that all-important linkage between these key parts. Repeat the exercise until you feel comfortable.
Golf Fitness Video
Naturally, if you take a full-length swing, the head covers will fall out. So take only three-quarter length swings. Once you feel comfortable doing this, dispense with the head covers, but remember the feeling. Try to maintain it as you hit balls without the covers. Soon, you’ll feel your timing returning.
The Basics Are The Same
The basics are the same for everyone; however, due to the differences in people’s body type, no two people will ever have the same golf swing. Each person will have to adapt their bodies to perform a proper golf swing in their own way.
Taking the time to develop your own method of playing golf will greatly improve your enjoyment and success at the game. Practicing the basic fundamentals of the game until they are ingrained in your muscles will lead to confidence on the course, and that confidence will lead to success and enjoyment of the game.
Some Golf Swing Tips
One of the most basic steps that you can put into action and see an immediate improvement to your golf swing is to keep your head still and look straight at the ball. The position of your head should be straight in line with your spine, and your nose should be raised up a bit so that when you start to swing, your left shoulder fits under your chin.
Many players tuck their heads into their chests to try and keep their heads still and look straight down at the golf ball. Unfortunately, they cannot perform a proper golf swing while in this position.
Difficulty Keeping Your Eyes on The Ball?
If you are one of the many that are having difficulty keeping your head straight and an eye on the ball try the following. The next time you approach the ball, assume the correct stance with your feet and knees in position but keep your head and back straight, bend forward slightly at the waist and look straight at the ball.
If you try and take a swing in this position, your left shoulder will most likely hit your chin. While keeping your eyes on the ball, raise your head slowly until your left shoulder does not hit your chin. Make sure that your head does not move from side to side by keeping your eyes fixed on the ball.
Slowly go through the backswing and downswing portions of your golf swing. Do not hit the ball and do the follow through. Practice this portion of your golf swing focusing on keeping your head straight and eyes on the ball.
Try This
Practice this exercise in your backyard for about 25 times in a row and then take a break and relax a bit, then start again. Make minor corrections to your head and body position as needed to keep your eyes straight on the ball and your left shoulder from hitting your chin.
This exercise will “train” your body, and your muscles will “remember” the correct position you need to be in to perform the movement correctly. Think about any sports athlete, they train and train to place their bodies in the correct stance and position to properly execute the movements necessary to be successful in their particular sport.
You are doing the same thing by “training” your body to keep your head straight and position itself so that you can successfully execute a proper golf swing.
Another Great Tip
Another basic step that can work greatly towards improving your golf swing is to relax. I know it is easier said then done, especially when you are getting ready to put all your power into drive with an audience of either your co-workers or better still your friends who will not let you forget it if you mess up.
However, relaxing your muscles will help you to maintain the proper balance that is important to a great golf swing. Regardless of the golf clubs you use, your balance is the primary foundation of your golf swing, and the way to achieve good balance is to practice.
A good way to practice improving your balance is to assume the address position with your club, relax your body and try holding it there for about 30 seconds. Does it feel like you have more weight on one foot or the other? Is one part of your body more tense then another?
Keeping your head straight and maintaining good balance are just two basic parts of a great golf swing. The exercises given above are just two ways that you can start training now to improve your golf swing. You can work on either one separately, or combine them together into one exercise. Improving your golf swing begins and ends with you.
Golf Strength
Training the muscles of your body to properly perform specific movements takes time and practice. The effort spent improving your golf swing will pay off on the course.
A better golf swing is inevitable…for any golfer, with the right approach. It doesn’t matter age or ability. It’s a reality…and can happen very quickly!
Golf Is So Physical!
To achieve a better golf swing, a golfer needs to realize just how physically demanding it is on the human body. You are swinging an object (golf club) at up to 100 mph. This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
If these tissues of the body are weak, tight or brittle they will rupture and eliminate you from playing golf indefinitely. If it doesn’t, your performance will pay the price. The outcome, either way, is not what you want…but will happen without an emphasis on strengthening these areas.
Along with strengthening comes stretching. Stretching muscles to attain a better golf swing is common among most golfers. Although it is common, most golfers don’t stretch. Why? Because it is viewed as ‘work’. But if it were viewed as a form of golf improvement it would be a different story.
Swing mechanics cannot be improved if your golf specific strength and flexibility are ignored. It is an impossibility, unless you compensate for this lack of capabilities in your golf swing. Teaching pros are now starting to realize there is a definite connection between golf swing mechanics and fitness.
But that’s where the BIG gap is. Between instruction and physical fitness. This is the ultimate combination for total golf performance. When your physical capabilities are improved, your golf swing mechanics become much easier to achieve.
Just Remeber
The next time you visit your teaching pro, to achieve a better golf swing, you’ll be able to do what he/she wants and the desired outcome will be achieved. This outcome is inevitable when you get your body moving better. Your golf swing mechanics fall into place.
It will only be a matter of time when all golfers will approach their golf improvement this way. It’s the only way that will warrant lasting results and ultimately a better golf swing.
Through exercise and practice, you will be able to slip into the proper address position and perform an effortless, powerful golf swing and feel just as if you were sliding your hand into a warm soft glove.
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This can be a major deal, especially if you are from a place like the pacific northwest like I am. If you are from Texas, it’s pretty simple, bring a sweater…maybe : P.
Depending on the temperatures that you will be playing in, dressing in multiple layers is crucial. Easy to strip clothing, like a fully zippable sweater or sweatshirt (maybe both) and a windbreaker or something thicker.
My Checklist
This is what to wear while golfing in cold weather:
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If you are new to golf and have only played during the summer months, the winter months are just as interesting. I actually enjoy playing during the colder months but a mild 45° to 65°.
Let’s Break It Down
Golf shoes are extremely important, this may be obvious to you but I have a playing partner that doesn’t seem to think so. During the cold winter months, you need shoes that hold up to mostly all the condition.
My tiger woods shoes that I purchased in 2014 are a great example of the perfect golf shoes. This is my opinion though, I have played in all weather conditions minus snow.
My feet stayed dry and they stayed warm if I used feet warmers. I wasn’t too concerned with the cold as I was about my feet staying dry.
Feet warmers aren’t a necessity but I would highly recommend you putting them in your golf bag in case you need to keep your toes warm.
Keeping your hands warm can be tricky, if you’re out playing and they get cold frequently, gets some hand warmers. It’s insurance that will pay off and they don’t take up hardly any space in your bag.
Golf mitts, on the other hand, take up a bit more space. Golf mitts in addition to hand warmers can be luxurious out on the course. Just toss the hand warmers in the mitts and put your hands in as needed.
Keeping your head warm is something that some golfers care about and some don’t. I’m one of those golfers that need to cover my ears with ear muffs, but not the big puffy ones. I’m talking about the cool looking ear muffs.
I can’t really wear a beanie for too long, not sure why but my head starts to itch and I end up removing it even if my head is cold.
Jackets are something that you can hit the jackpot with or completely hate. I’m not terribly picky about jackets but if it’s extremely cold out you will want to have the right gear. Even a jacket designed for golfers doesn’t give you all the warmth you want and you may need to have an additional layer underneath.
I would recommend something that is water resistant that also gives some decent warmth. You also have to remember, you will most likely remove the jacket due to you creating enough body heat while playing.
Golf pants specifically for golf are not required, although, they do have some benefits. Major brands like Nike, Under Armour, Adidas make their pants specifically for comfort. But not so much on the warmth side, if you want to keep your lower half warm, gets some long johns. You could also keep some hand warmers in your pockets, I’ve done this and it works great.
Playing Conditions
Cold Mornings
Ever show up to the course in the morning and as you are sitting in your warm, cozy vehicle, you realized you forgot something? Nothing worse than having the first tee jitters and freezing your ass off. I’ve been in that situation a couple times, not too fun!
It’s almost always cold no matter where you play in the country or world during the early morning hours. Dressing in a jacket can make your round of golf much easier and comfortable.
There’s no reason for you to not have something in your bag that you can through on just in case you need it. If you have a decent jacket designed with golf in mind then it could make your round of golf much more enjoyable.
Some people can’t play with multiple layers on, I can and it doesn’t bother me too much. Not like rain gear does, for some reason rain gear feels like crap and I can’t hit anything while wearing it. Golf Rain Gear
Evening Playing
Ever play during the twilight tee times during the summer? If so, you may have experienced the chilling dew from the grass along with a light breeze. Nothing worse than finishing your round of golf and shivering.
This has happened to me a couple times, it’s not something that you really remember though. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep some extra gear in your bag, which is why I like cart bags and not stands bags.
Cold and Rainy
I’ve mentioned this in another post if you’re planning on playing in the rain or the possibility of rain, be prepared. Nothing worse than not having the right gear and getting stuck in a downpour. The correct shoes, jacket, hats, and pants can make your round of golf much more comfortable.
Snowing
First of all, I don’t recommend it even though I’ve never played golf in the snow. It just doesn’t make sense to me, why put yourself through that kind of pain. Unless you just want to play around and not really care about losing golf balls. There’s also the potential for you to get injured, just keep that in mind.
Cold and windy
I think this could be one of the most common weather conditions that sneak up on golfers. You could be playing in mildly cold weather and put a 5 to 10mph wind in the mix and you got trouble. It doesn’t take much wind for it to turn a mildly cold day into a really cold day.
I hope you got loads of info from this post, if you found the information useful, leave a comment and share on social media.
