Golf is not a sport that is usually associated with getting in top condition in order to perform at your best. That theory has been changing slowly but surely, thanks in large part to Tiger Woods. Up through the early 1980s, golf was looked at as a game of skill, and golfers who were overweight or out of shape often found their names among the money leaders. But from the mid-1980s and beyond, golfers started to do strength conditioning work and overall conditioning in order to improve their overall game. This is personified by Woods, who uses aerobic exercise and weight training to maintain top condition.
Running
Several decades ago, golfers would never have thought of running to get in shape. But the average course demands that a golfer walk 4 to 6 miles for every 18-hole round, and that can get quite tiring by the final four or five holes. Running 2 to 3 miles a week three or four times a week will help a golfer improve overall conditioning.
Upper Body Strength
Golfers should not try to overswing when they get on the tee to add more distance. However, getting stronger in the weightroom can't hurt. Doing the bench press, arm curls and rowing exercises will increase upper body strength. A stronger grip on the club without choking it hard will help a golfer get more distance on his shots, and that will happen on a consistent basis.
Diet and Hydration
It's important for golfers to cut fat from their diet and stay hydrated during the course of a round of golf. Eating chicken, fish and pasta before an important match or tournament is a great idea. Hydrate your body with two to three bottles of water the night before your play, and drink water or sports drinks while you play. Cramping up on a hot day is a distinct possibility if you don't stay hydrated. Bring a sandwich and fruit to sustain you during the course of your round of golf.
About The Author
Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.
