- By Jane Kircaldie, PT, TPI Certified Golf Fitness Instructor,
Medical Professional 2, Fitness Professional 2
Get Golf Fit!
» Visit mytpi.com for more information
M
ost articles you read about golf fitness focus on exercises designed to increase power
and consistency. Yet, oddly enough, the question asked most often of Golf Fitness
Professionals is should cardiovascular exercise be incorporated into a golf fitness
program at all, and if so, how?
The short answer to this question is yes; cardiovascular exercise is a key element to golf
fitness and improving ones game in addition to strength training and flexibility work. Now, let’s
look at why and how.
It’s easy to understand why people question cardio training as
it relates to golf. After all, golf is billed as a leisurly four hour walk
or ride in the park. Although true, golf is an explosive sport, even if
it’s not visible on the surface. One rides in a cart, pushes their trolley
or carries their bag along the “track”, but once the backswing is
complete and the downswing is initiated, the explosive nature of the
swing begins and the golfer essentially jumps. A golfer “jumps” when
the legs literally thrust upwards during and just after impact. Our fast
twitch muscle fibers, as opposed to the slow twitch we use for regular
walking or steady elliptical work, need to turn on and perform. This
equates to a very powerful swing, and using the standard equation
of power = strength + speed is, in part, improved by cardiovascular
training.
Did you know you burn 2500 calories carrying your bag 18
holes? How many times have you had a round, especially on a hot
summer day, that starts out promising only to steadily decline on the
back nine? The reason is simple. Those same fast twitch fibers we
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Connecticut State Golf Association