Are Golf Workouts Challenging Enough?

I’ve been watching and trying a bunch of Golf Exercise Videos online which brought me to the question, Are Golf Workouts Too Easy? Could they be targeted to Golf’s main demographic the older player?

I tuned into TGC and watched Camilo Villegas bench press 35 lb dumbbells then a basic Peck stretch which they called arm lengthening. That’s cool and all but is that really what he does or is he taking it easy at the request of  TGC.  From what I am told Tiger Woods trains somewhat like a non golfing athlete does everything from heavy weight training, isometrics, lots of cardio, and a healthy diet which leads me to the believe that many of today’s younger golfers would not benefit much from what the average golf training video suggests.

I decided to call a friend of mine Dr. John Fitzgerald known as the Blood Doc who trained under masters champion Zach Johnson’s father Dr. David Johnson among countless other experts in the field. The “Blood Doc” was the team doctor for the Carolina Hurricanes when in the NFL and now handles nutrition, exercise, and blood work for top UFC MMA Fighters.

We spoke about the symmetry of the golf exercises and that if they are done one sided like the players swing it can cause damage to the back. We also talked that when golf videos suggest medicine ball work the distance extending out of their core muscle range is actually very bad for the lower back as well.  We went over a lot but to sum up our conversation Golf Exercises are mostly stretches repackaged to be golf specific. Much of these stretches are taken from Yoga or Pilate’s.

For the average person who doesn’t exercise they can get a good workout from this type of training but for the healthy athlete trying to become all they can be in the game It leaves you desiring a more challenging workout. I took a look Treveor Immelman’s 60-90min workouts and I gave it a try, it’s more challenging than others and more complete when it comes to working most of the big muscles in the body but it still leaves many important muscles unworked and from what I understand it’s too similar of a workout every time. In order to push yourself your body must be challenged with new exercises every so often.  Yes I got a little stiff from the Immelman workout but im sure after 3-5 more times of doing that exact same routine I would be used to it, after 3+ months of that workout I would be immune to it totally.

One thing I noticed also was that some of golfs more important muscles were usually never mentioned or worked.  Let’s take grip and forearms for example they provide stability in many aspects of your game yet we dont see golf training specialists tackle increasing their strength.  Often terms are generalized and often labelled how to improve lower back pain which is overly simplified in my opinion.  It should be a comprehensive approach to strengthening your hamstrings, hips, abs/core and Latissimus Dorsi which is your lower lat muscle.  All of those equal the path to a healthier, better feeling, and stronger back.

I understand this is a bit controversial as the entire golf industry relates these types of Yoga, Stretching, Light Weight Exercises to be golf specific but I want to hear if you agree with me or disagree? After we get a few comments stating your opinion I will come back with a full weeks routine that the Blood Doc and I created that should improve your golf game without causing damage to the body.  Most importantly it will challenge you and make you more of a well rounded athlete and golfer.

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