what is golf fitness?

Matt Green - 29 January 2021

Being fit for golf is the ability to make repeatable, safe, efficient, adaptable golf swings while minimising stress on your body.

Achieving this requires an understanding of the physical requirements of a golf swing, how you are placed in terms of these requirements, and then implementing a plan to address any deficits or limitations.

Mobility - the foundation of your golf swing

The foundation of your golf fitness is your mobility. If you are not able to easily move through the required movements for a golf swing, then you are not going to be able to make safe, repeatable swings. Lacking mobility will also impact your ability to activate the correct muscles during your swing, decreasing the control you have and further decreasing efficiency.

Control

The next level of your golf fitness is how you control your movement. Having good mobility can be pointless if you cannot control it. Basic control allows you to control the positions of your spine and joints, decreasing stress and allowing efficient movement. Once you have improved your basic control, you can then move onto Golf Specific Control, allowing you to ingrain dynamic golf movement patterns that underpin correct swing mechanics.

What’s next?

Only after you have successfully moved through these base level requirements can you start to think about higher level fitness objectives such as strength, power and speed. Skipping steps often leads to injury and a lack of progression, frustration and abandoning your fitness program.

The starting point for a successful Golf Fitness Program is to have an individual Golf Fitness Assessment. This will identify your strengths and weaknesses, what you need to focus on, and allow a plan to be put in place to start your golf fitness journey.