| Golf Tips: Play Good Golf Longer By Being In Shape |
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By Jon Ebert
Golf Pro
Question: We have all heard about, and seen the results, the new fitness regiments have had on players like Tiger Woods and David Duval. What exercises are they doing and what kind of schedule do they keep? Do they play and practice during the day and exercise in the evening, or exercise only on the days they don't play? Which way is best? Every time I try to play after exercising, my game deteriorates. -- T.P., East Middlebury, Vermont Answer: Many of the players, especially the older ones on the PGA Tour, have found that if they expect to keep up with the younger, stronger, longer players, they better get in shape. Many of the clubs where the tournaments are played have quality fitness centers, and the Healthsouth Trailers, portable fitness centers, travel with both the PGA and the PGA Senior Tours each week. The regiments they use are really no different than what everyone should use for overall good health and fitness. Since balance and symmetry are so important in a golf swing, it's not a good idea to concentrate on one, particular part of the body. For example, if you think golf is a "left-sided" game, which I've heard many people say, you might concentrate on building only the muscles on the left side of your body. This would make you lopsided and out of balance. Therefore, there really aren't any exercises that are specifically for golf. All exercises are good for golf if they're done properly. The Tour players, like Woods and Duval, exercise three to four times a week, for about an hour at a time. They combine weight training with fairly light weights and higher repetitions, cardiovascular training, like walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bicycle, and stretching. Their greatest emphasis is on the stretching, which they do every day. Because of their schedules, they're forced do their weight training in the evenings. If they lifted weights in the morning and then played golf, their muscles would be fatigued. If they have afternoon tee times, many will do their cardiovascular work in the mornings. If they have morning tee times, many will head to the gym in the afternoon and do it all at the same time. They all do their stretching exercises in the morning and the evening. Many people don't want to hear about exercise because it requires more effort than they're willing to give. However, I can tell you first hand that a combined program of light weight training, aerobics and stretching, done in moderation, will not only improve your game, but it will improve your chances of playing good golf longer. (Golf professional Jon Ebert writes for the Naples Daily News in Florida.)
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