Does getting extremely fit benefit a golfer?

[Gg Owen]

I'm at a loss on this debate.There have been many a fine pro that somewhat Ignored the work out bug. John Daly- Jack Nicklaus -Craig Stadler- and many other major winners.And some players like David Duval completely disappeared from his dominance.Even Tiger Woods and Rory's play was in question when they hit the weights hard.Is getting in shape and a physical specimen really necessary. My thinking is lifting weights and above average flexibility just isn't necessary.What is your thinking on this

[richsgbox]

I'm at a loss on this debate.There have been many a fine pro that somewhat Ignored the work out bug. John Daly- Jack Nicklaus -Craig Stadler- and many other major winners.And some players like David Duval completely disappeared from his dominance.Even Tiger Woods and Rory's play was in question when they hit the weights hard.Is getting in shape and a physical specimen really necessary. My thinking is lifting weights and above average flexibility just isn't necessary.What is your thinking on this

Sounds like you want to hit the gym hard or you want to quit the gym. Ha.

 

Personally I consider myself a gym rat and days following an intense or heavy lifting day does affect my golf durability. It wasn't until recently ive alternated my fitness routine to include cardio and flexibility the day before a scheduled tee time and it's actually improved my stamina especially if I'm walking. But I have done last minute twilights after a leg day and yup...no bueno.

 

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[excourse]

While strength and overall fitness are important for everyone, I'd suggest that flexibility is more of an asset to a golfer then being muscled up. AFAIK, yoga is the best way to get golf fit.

 

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[Mr. 82]

I'd ask Gary Player what he thinks about this subject. What does he do, like 1,000 push ups a day still and a million sit ups at 88 (?) years young?

 

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[Kor.A.Door]

I'd ask Gary Player what he thinks about this subject. What does he do, like 1,000 push ups a day still and a million sit ups at 88 (?) years young?

 

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True, but those are “core” exercises, and he doesn't bulk up at the gym. I think we can all agree that being fit is benefit for sure.

 

bulking up makes you less flexible to a point. Personally I think that bulking up has hurt many players in the long run. Being fit and flexible seems to be the way to go nowadays. As the OP mentioned, Duval was playing great in the late 90's and he bulked up I've the offseason and then disappeared from the Golf world. Tiger's bulking up hurt him as well. I look a Koepka and think he may be in line for some injuries with as much as he's bulked up.

[RickyBobby_PR]

There's the Duf era, Sadlers, pat Perez types that eat whatever and don't have the “athletic build”, then there's JT, scheiderjans and others that are lanky and then you got the tiger, dj and koepkas of the world. There's lots of ways to go about getting the ball in the hole. I personally enjoy how I feel having a lifestyle where I'm in the gym 4-5 times a week and the increased energy and benefits to my game that have come from it. I do the big compound movements and to date after about 2.5 years haven't had any ill effects.

 

I think being in shape has many benefits in a day to day basis and in golf but it really comes down to the person

[Big money]

Fitness and golf are on compeletely different spectrums in the amateur game.The golfers I know, come up with every excuse why not to exercise.And just about every golfer I play with looks extremely out of shape.But yet they beat me like a drumb all the time.And have unbelievable hand eye coordination.Im starting to think some activities like golf and fishing attract the unfit crowd.Must be the lack of actually moving (except leaving a golf cart or fishing boat) that agrees with them.Being healthy and feeling good about oneself is where it is at.No matter a golfer or not

 

Great example of a good golfer who thinks fitness isn't needed.And actually he brings up valid points

[revkev]

Jack?

 

Not a fair comparison, Gary Player aside it wasn't done in his day. Jack was in better shape than he often gets credit for, a stellar athlete in high school and a very good tennis player.

 

I can't hurt to be in good shape - defining what golf shape is may be still in flux. Pro Football linemen are in great shape for what they do but it's not ideal for life nor for other sports. The smart ones loose lots of weight when their playing days are over.

 

I doubt very many of us have the time to get in the kind of shape that would cause problems for our games. We'd all do well to work on our fitness. And we would play better golf.

 

 

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[Charli]

Working out being strong helps the long drive guys. The pga pros need flexibility so my guess their doing movements to help with being flexible with very little Strength. Being strong as a golf doesn't help. Yeah brooks is a bigger guy but Probably not that strong

[RickyBobby_PR]

Working out being strong helps the long drive guys. The pga pros need flexibility so my guess their doing movements to help with being flexible with very little Strength. Being strong as a golf doesn't help. Yeah brooks is a bigger guy but Probably not that strong

He benched 315 for reps before his pga championship round. Several of these guys are doing the compound movements of squats, deadlifts and bench. The big compound movements are good for flexibility and mobility

[Big money]

That is a great video Ed. I agree with Rev, either one spends hours in the gym. Or spends the hours on the golf course. Hard mixing and matching and dedicating time to both.But all of us can diet and improve our eating and overall lifestyles.

[tony@CIC]

While strength and overall fitness are important for everyone, I'd suggest that flexibility is more of an asset to a golfer then being muscled up. AFAIK, yoga is the best way to get golf fit.

 

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I'd agree on the flexibility. I started a yoga for golf program over the winter and continue to use exercises especially as a warm up before league. Never believed in it until I tried it.

 

 

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[cksurfdude]

I'm at a loss on this debate.There have been many a fine pro that somewhat Ignored the work out bug. John Daly- Jack Nicklaus -Craig Stadler- and many other major winners.And some players like David Duval completely disappeared from his dominance.Even Tiger Woods and Rory's play was in question when they hit the weights hard.Is getting in shape and a physical specimen really necessary. My thinking is lifting weights and above average flexibility just isn't necessary.What is your thinking on this

Respectfully, but completely, disagree. For the pros being fit can give you an edge - eg. Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka. For the average recreational golfer being fit can ONLY help you move .. and thus, swing .. better.

[NiftyNiblick]

. My thinking is lifting weights and above average flexibility just isn't necessary. What is your thinking on this

I will go to my urn not having ever known one thing about this subject.

[Charli]

I wouldn't consider bench pressing a good example of a compound movement. But again bench pressing that much Is dumb for golf

[Charli]

And doing squats and deadlifts are great but they don't need to be doing heavy weights

[NiftyNiblick]

I wouldn't consider bench pressing a good example of a compound movement. But again bench pressing that much Is dumb for golf

12 oz. curls are the likely limit for most of this crew.

[Charli]

nothing wrong with that either

[RickyBobby_PR]

I wouldn't consider bench pressing a good example of a compound movement. But again bench pressing that much Is dumb for golf

Bench press involved shoulders, chest, back, triceps, legs and glutes. There's a reason it's part of the big 3 or 4 (if you include the overhead press). Benching that much isn't bad for golf or anything really.

[cksurfdude]

 

 

12 oz. curls are the likely limit for most of this crew.

Ha, good one! But see: I've been working out and have stepped up to 16 oz curls...

[excourse]

Ha, good one! But see: I've been working out and have stepped up to 16 oz curls...

Tried that, but found my weights get warm before I finish the set so I'm sticking with the 12's.

 

 

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[SteddyGolf]

Muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, body composition and cardio respiratory fitness all contribute towards maximizing your athletic performance. And yes that means performance on the golf course as well. Performing activities that improve the aforementioned athletic qualities is hard work and sustained success takes smart work.

 

From 8 to 80, blind, crippled or crazy you can improve in each of these areas if YOU make the decision to do so. Will participating in a regular fitness routine make you a better golfer? No! But it will improve the conditions for you to become a better golfer and most importantly you will become a much healthier person.

 

 

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[revkev]

Muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, body composition and cardio respiratory fitness all contribute towards maximizing your athletic performance. And yes that means performance on the golf course as well. Performing activities that improve the aforementioned athletic qualities is hard work and sustained success takes smart work.

 

From 8 to 80, blind, crippled or crazy you can improve in each of these areas if YOU make the decision to do so. Will participating in a regular fitness routine make you a better golfer? No! But it will improve the conditions for you to become a better golfer and most importantly you will become a much healthier person.

 

 

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Excellent and exactly my point and.... Im sure it will make you a better golfer.

 

I know that my fitness level impacts how well I can or can't do what my teacher is asking me to do. I'm guessing that's the same with a touring pro, perhaps more so.

 

 

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[EthanSterlingPrice]

Being physically fit is beneficial if for no other reason than to maintain your health and from a golf standpoint it limits fatigue and pain long term. I'm focusing on fitness especially in my back due to a family history of serious back problems (21 year old brother already has issues with his...) and I can tell a big difference in how I feel after golf and even the next day versus when I wasn't working on fitness. Im not a big gym rat and never will be but I do have a routine for strength and flexibility that I stick to.

 

 

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[Kanoito]

I used to play tennis in my junior years and my coach was against lifting. He said, however, I should do 1 hour of stretching for every 30 mins of heavy lifting.l to balance it out.

 

That was about 15 years ago. And personally, the only part of my body where I wish I had more flexibility is my lower back to rotate more. Granted, I'm just fat now

[Charli]

I put golfers in the same category as mlb pitchers. They are strong for what they have to do and nothing else

[Sluggo42]

I'm now 62 and in the worst shape of my life.

But am shooting the best golf, and a tourney bass fisherman.

 

Go figure. I might as well go bowling