Golf is a very demanding sport, both physically and mentally. Most recreational golfers would love to have a more powerful swing and lower their handicaps. Good instruction from a teaching pro and practice of what youve learned can help lower your scores. There is however, more to achieving consistent improvement. Its great to go to the driving range and practice. Unfortunately, sometimes youre further embedding the wrong movement patterns into your swing.

To achieve the most from your instruction and practice time, there is another segment of your game that should be constantly evaluated. While it is receiving more attention of late, theres still many avid golfers that dont include this important factor into their strategy. Whats the secret?

One of the best ways to achieve and maintain overall improvement on the course is to perform a golf fitness routine on a regular basis. This can do wonders to improve power and consistency. Strength, balance, and flexibility play a major role in the effectiveness of your golf swing. Im not talking about body building, but rather simply toning and conditioning your body for the movements required during a round of golf.

The golf swing places complex demands on the body. There must be mental concentration, neuromuscular coordination, balance, and muscular strength and flexibility all functioning at the same time during the few seconds it takes to make your swing. Most teaching professionals will admit one of the major reasons their students dont progress to the next level of play is due to lack of muscular strength and flexibility.

By conditioning your body using whats called the principles of functional training for golf, you can prepare your body for every movement required on the course. Functional fitness is designed to mimic the movements of the golf swing. All the components required for an effective golf swing can be improved. So, instead of hitting thousands of golf balls on the driving range, why not tone up the fuel for your golf clubyour body. Youll not only improve your performance on the course, youll be better conditioned for the demands of daily life.

Susan Hill

Susan Hill is the President of Fitness for Golf, a website dedicated to helping golfers improve through golf specific programs.

Susan has earned national certifications as a fitness trainer with several organizations including the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the International Sports Science Association, and the American Council on Exercise. She currently trains golfers of all levels at the Sunriver Resort, a top U.S. golf destination resort in Sunriver, Oregon.

As a Chek certified Golf Biomechanic and Sports Performance Nutritionist, she is now among an elite group of golf fitness experts nationwide. Susan has worked with hundreds of golfers ranging in skills from beginners just taking up the game of golf to collegiate, amateur and tour players looking for a more competitive edge.

She is a contributing writer to Golf Illustrated, a guest speaker at private and public golf clubs, and a published writer on topics of health, fitness and golf. She was selected as one of the top three trainers as the Trainer of the Year 2003, having been chosen among over 85,000 trainers across the country.

Her work has also been featured in SELF magazine and on ESPN radio.