Golf Fitness > Golf Injuries >Physical Demands In Golf

The Physical Demands In Golf Can Break Down Your Body And Game

The physical demands in golf are too many to cover in this article, but I will blanket the major ones and hopefully educate you on how they affect your body (ie. golf injury, performance and potential).

Golf Strength Requirements

The golf swing is a fast movement that requires your body to swing a 3 foot implement at speeds of up to 100 mph within a confined (stable) area. To be able to repeat this with a high amount of efficiency (golf swing consistency) you need a higher level of golf strength specific to your golf swing.

This golf strength should be in your core area, as well as hamstrings, glutes and shoulders. In analyzing the golf swing, every major muscle group is engaged at some point in the swing, but key groups like the above mentioned core are critical.

Being able to turn your entire upper body aggressively around a stable lower body requires a level of golf strength most amatuer golfers do not have, nor are attempting to develop.

Golf Flexibility Needs

Every golfer, especially the older golfer mentions the term golf flexibility, because they recognize the loss of backswing range of motion and power in their swing.

Golf flexibility is critical to making a mechanically sound and efficient golf swing for 18 holes. As the older golfer loses his/her physical capabilities, their body's ability master golf swing technique is lost. The decline of their game is inevitable.

Stretching the muscles used in the golf swing can not only slow down this physical decline, but in some cases can reverse it dramatically. I've worked with 80 year old golfers who have added up to 80 yards on their drives due to the fact they were not even getting the ball airborn before embarking on a golf flexibility and strength program.

Muscular Endurance

Golf is over four hours long. This puts a physical demand on your body. With a higher level of golf specific muscle endurance, you will fade on the back nine consistently.

Has this happened to you before? You're playing great, then all of a sudden your swing falls apart and you can't stop it. That score you thought was going to happen just disappeared.

The culprit is muscle endurance specific to golf. Your muscles get tired and cannot perform at a level to make a consistent golf swing. By improving golf muscle endurance, you will be strong and powerful for 18 holes.

There is no denying the extreme importance of golf strength, flexibility and endurance, and that is why I produced my golf fitness dvds to quickly improve your golf swing and prevent any overuse injuries from occurring.

Mike Pedersen
Golf Performance Coach