Facts and Fallacies of Strength Training for Golf


Various aspects of golf training have expanded rapidly, but one area of development that has caught on somewhat slowly is golf-specific strength training. Not until very recently has this specific need been addressed. As with many things, it started at the top with pros like Tiger Woods and David Duval and began to trickle down to the masses over time. Unfortunately, many golfers still live under the old assumption that strength training is detrimental. The truth is that the days of simply practicing and playing to make yourself a stronger and better golfer are from a bygone era. I am not trying to diminish the fact that ultimately golf skills are the most important aspect of golf, but improving your swing performance will only get you so far. If you want to develop into the best player you can be, you better get with the program-a strength training program, that is.

Let's take a look at a few of the fallacies that may be holding some of you back.

Fallacy #1: Resistance training will cause a loss of flexibility.

Fact: It is a proven fact that full range of motion resistance training will actually improve your flexibility.

Fallacy #2: Resistance training will result in "bulking up".

Fact: Performing resistance training by itself will not cause the development of excess muscle mass; additional caloric intake is also required. Some individuals are under the impression that lifting heavier weights for fewer repetitions will cause this "bulking-up" phenomenon. This is also false. As a matter of fact, lifting heavier weights for fewer repetition is one way to gain strength without adding "bulk". Therefore, if you are involved in a program designed to develop stability, strength, and power specific to the needs of golf, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

Fallacy #3: Resistance training will have adverse effects on your swing.

Fact: Performing resistance training can actually have a positive effect on your swing. Resistance training helps develop what is known as kinesthetic awareness, the ability to detect bodily position, weight, and movement of the muscles, tendons, and joints.

Fallacy #4: Swinging a weighted club will produce more specific strength gains than performing a resistance training program.

Fact: If anything, swinging a weighted club will produce an improper swing. The compensation required to swing the weighted club creates faulty swing mechanics and firing patterns. Also, most weighted club programs call for using the clubs at slow speeds. The problem with that is when golfers tee up, they are not trying to drive the ball with a 50-75% swing. They want to all-out blast it down the fairway with a powerful 100% swing. If the name of the game for golfers is club head SPEED, using a heavy club and a slow swing to gain strength won't work. To gain strength and develop speed, you have to train for speed.

Fallacy #5: It takes too much time.

Fact: You can't afford not to start a golf-specific flexibility, strength, and conditioning program if you desire to be the best golfer you can be. Depending on your individual starting point, you may be able to make progress with as little as a 1 ½ hours training time per week. A small investment that will reap huge dividends on the course.

Hopefully, reading this article helped shed some light on the truth about strength training for golf and how it is NOT detrimental to your game, but more than likely, VERY beneficial.

Download your FREE Reports The 8 Keys To Golf Fitness Success and How To Build The Perfect Athlete For Any Sport ? GOLF: at www.integratedevolution.org

Troy M. Anderson, B.A., PES, CPT, is the owner of Integrated Evolution, LLC, in Tempe, AZ. The #1 goal of Integrated Evolution is to provide individuals with solutions to their performance enhancement needs. For more golf fitness tips, subscribe to The Blue Collar Fitness Report at http://www.integratedevolution.org







Related News



Golf-Harrington finds confidence elusive despite major wins - Reuters.uk

TVNZ

Golf-Harrington finds confidence elusive despite major wins
Reuters.uk, UK -20 hours ago
"Generally, when I play my best golf I stand over every shot worrying about where I'm going to miss it. "I'd love to be able to be the guy who doesn't see ...
Padraig Harrington a major champ and motivational speakerThe Canadian Press
Harrington might be over 'fear of failure'Post-Bulletin
PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup begin this week at The BarclaysPGA.com
Golfbidder Limited - NJ.com
all 52 news articles

Weekly This week's golf tournaments - The Canadian Press

New York Times

Weekly This week's golf tournaments
The Canadian Press -Aug 19, 2008
Course: Kennemer Golf and Country Club (6626 yards, par 70). Purse: $2.65 million. Winner's share: $441900. Last year: England's Ross Fisher won his first ...
As playoffs are set to begin, no consensus on Barclays winner - GolfESPN
The Barclays Golf Thursday’s First Round Tee Times and GroupingsGolfing News
Players Learning Ridgewood FairwaysNational Post
Naples Daily News - Sports Network
all 41 news articles

Flint Junior Golf Association trophy holds history for Hull family - The Flint Journal - MLive.com

The Flint Journal - MLive.com

Flint Junior Golf Association trophy holds history for Hull family
The Flint Journal - MLive.com, MI -1 hour ago
by Bill Marshall | The Flint Journal Stuart Bauer | The Flint JournalLogan Hull (left) and brother Hunter Hull won the Flint Junior Golf Association 5-hole ...
Golf shorts: tournaments and upcoming eventsThe Flint Journal - MLive.com
all 2 news articles

Els backs golf's Olympic bid - Sky News

Sky News

Els backs golf's Olympic bid
Sky News, UK -21 hours ago
I really hope I'm still around if and when golf is introduced. I know some critics say that the Olympic Games are for amateurs and that golf shouldn't be ...
BBC Sport blog editorBBC Sport
Olympics-New sports pledge star attractions for spot in GamesReuters.uk
all 18 news articles

GOLFAX, LTD. & US GOLF COMPANY Division Acquires CLASSIC GREENS ... - Emediawire (press release)

GOLFAX, LTD. & US GOLF COMPANY Division Acquires CLASSIC GREENS ...
Emediawire (press release), WA -3 hours ago
US Golf Company - On December 15, 2007, GOLFAX, LTD., a former golf scorecard printing and faxing company originally started in 1985, changed management and ...

Golf | Craig Stadler, 4 others withdraw from Boeing Classic - Seattle Times

Golf | Craig Stadler, 4 others withdraw from Boeing Classic
Seattle Times, United States -11 hours ago
A delegation of 13 Champions Tour golfers visited the American Lake Veterans Golf Course Tuesday in Lakewood on the grounds of the VA hospital. ...
Curtis Strange, big name in Boeing Classic, revisitedSeattle Post Intelligencer
all 4 news articles

Golf tourney underway in Whitefish - KPAX-TV

Golf tourney underway in Whitefish
KPAX-TV, MT -3 hours ago
The hot weather turned to rain for the kickoff of the 21 st annual Montana State Mid-Am Golf Tournament in Whitefish. Play began on Tuesday at the Whitefish ...
Dunn grabs lead at Mid-AmBillings Gazette
Missoula's Dunn sets Mid-Am paceThe Missoulian
all 5 news articles


Couple build golf course to occupy vandal youths - Telegraph.co.uk

Couple build golf course to occupy vandal youths
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom -2 hours ago
So, when the farm came up for sale, the Flints decided to buy it and turn the 20 acres of land into a nine-hole pitch and putt golf course. ...

Cyber Woods, next golf champ? - CNET News

CNET News

Cyber Woods, next golf champ?
CNET News, CA -8 hours ago
The Putter Bot is a remote-controlled robot that can putt a golf ball. Huang has made a video (below) that shows it off quite well. ...

The FedEx Cup playoffs make the post-major golf season more ... - ESPN

Sportinglife.co.za

The FedEx Cup playoffs make the post-major golf season more ...
ESPN -23 hours ago
The FedEx Cup and its playoff events might be flawed in some ways, but it is a far better alternative than what golf fans were stuck with in previous years ...
A Golfing Patriot -- Your Wednesday Golf LinksRoughing It
News and notes: PGA Tour Playoffs, US Amateur, Wendy's 3-Tour ...GolfLasVegasNow.com
Turner Sports and the PGA TOUR Debut PGA TOUR Shot TrackerBusiness Wire (press release)
Examiner.com - PGA Tour
all 142 news articles