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How to Write Your Own Golf Fitness Program

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This story is part of our new “GolfWRX Guides,” a how-to series created by our Featured Writers and Contributors — passionate golfers and golf professionals in search of answers to golf’s most-asked questions.

Designing your own comprehensive golf fitness program is not all that easy, as I talked about in my story “What should be in your golf fitness program?” In fact, it’s more complex than you’d think and really requires specialist knowledge and experience to put a program together that will target the right areas, in the right order, at the right intensity.

That’s where I come in! I wrote this piece to give you a clearer idea of what to do, how much to do and when to do it. From there, you can either seek professional advice or simply go ahead and make your own program. Just be aware that, like your golf game, you will almost always achieve a better result when you get professional help!

What’s the goal?

In almost every program I write there is an attempt to improve the golfer’s physical capabilities across four different athletic attributes:

  • Mobility/Flexibility
  • Posture/Movement Patterns
  • Stability
  • Strength/Power

Most golf fitness experts can all agree that these four areas are essential to improving the athleticism of a golfer’s swing. We need a certain level of all four in order to make an efficient and powerful move.

The order of those four attributes isn’t random, by the way. I have arranged them in the same sequence that I often use for the exercises that aim to develop them. Here’s an explanation of what I include in my programs and why.

Release/Self Massage

This goes first because we really want to free up the connective tissue that contributes to forming adhesions, tight spots and general shortness in our muscles. Using equipment like spiky balls or foam rollers and techniques like the one demonstrated below, we can alleviate trigger points and soreness from the muscles and generally prep the area for exercise. My colleagues and I consider this so important that it is absolutely non-negotiable at the start of every single training session for Golf Queensland and Golf Australia athletes.

Example Exercises: Spiky ball/foam roll various areas of the body that get sore and/or tight. This is a release for the glutes and hip external rotators.

SELF MASSAGE GLUTES 2

Cardio

Next up is a spot of cardio. It’s main purpose is to warm up the body and increase heart and respiratory rate. This increased blood flow will provide the muscles with nice oxygenated blood and warm tendons and ligaments ready for the exercise movements they are about to make.

Example exercises: Skipping, boxing, running, rowing: Whatever you like really!

benefits-of-jumping-rope

Dynamic Mobility

Our body is now warm from the cardio, so it’s the perfect time to work on our mobility. The reason I use dynamic mobility is to encourage the joints and muscles through a range of motion that is relevant to the movements we make in the gym, life and the golf swing (i.e not lying on your back with leg in the air). We can also use this section to work on stability of the hips, core and shoulders if we are smart with the exercise selection and application.

Example exercises: Inch worm, prone step ups, hindu push ups, legs swings, dislocates.

 fitnessstory5

Activation

This is another non-negotiable for my athletes. It’s so important to have the correct muscles “turned on” and ready to work. The three key areas for golf and for the gym are glutes, scapula/upper back and core. If these aren’t switched on and ready to go, then other muscles will have to overwork and compensate. This leads to poor technique first and injury second. These type of exercises, combined with the three categories above, make for a really good golf warm-up, too!

Example exercises: Crab walk variations, tubing/band drills, jump and stick.

1 LEG DYNAMIC ROTATION TO RIGHT 2 

Power

The body is primed and ready to go, but still fresh and with little metabolic or neural fatigue (tiredness). Time to move some load fast! This doesn’t have to mean throwing barbells around, however, as very often a lighter load like a medball or just bodyweight is more than enough. I often use a combination of jumps and throws that get the whole body moving fast as a unit.

Example exercises: Medicine ball slams and throws, squat and lateral jumps and dumbbell power snatch.

shayamal-slams

STRENGTH

Now we are getting to the guts of the session. Again, load should be relative to ability and experience and technique should be a high priority.

Essentially, this is where we are working hard and making gains. The strength work I prescribe focuses of on posterior chain (hamstrings, butt, back) with pulling and pushing movements in different directions and varieties.

Example exercises: Squats, lunges, deadlift variations (rarely using the standard barbell deadlift from floor these days), dumbbell press variations, chin-ups, rows, overhead press variations.

fitnesstory8

Core

We all know the importance of core strength for golfers and now is the best time to isolate this area and put in some extra work here. I consider “3D” core training essential, and I aim to achieve this through prescribing exercises that challenge the core from front to back, side to side and also working against rotational resistance.

Here some example exercises that work the body in “3D.”

  • Front to Back: Leg lifts, V Sits, Bridges, Back Extensions
  • Side to Side: Side bridges, Side Hip Raises
  • Rotational Resistance: Pallof press, Woodchops, Lying Turnovers

fitnesstory9

How much and how often?

So you have the right order of exercises and a selection of good ones to have a go at. Now we just need to work out how many reps you should do and how often you need to train.

Self Massage and Release

  • 2-to-3 areas of the body for 5-to-10 minutes

Cardio

  • 5-to-10 minutes

Dynamic Mobility

  • A mini circuit of 5-to-6 exercises that are done for 6-to-8 reps. Repeat twice.

Activation

  • A mini circuit of 2-to-3 exercises that are done for 10-to-12 reps. Repeat twice.

Power

  • 2 exercises (1 jump, 1 throw). 5 reps each and 3 sets.

Strength

  • 4 exercises (1 squat, 1 lunge, 1 push, 1 pull). 8-to-10 reps each. 3 sets.

Core

  • 3 exercises (one in each “dimension”). 8-to-10 reps or 30-to-60 seconds for each exercise. 3 sets.

Frequency / Intensity

Repeat this session 2 or 3 times per week depending on your level of ability and experience. Always use a load that allows you to complete the rep range with good form and technique.

How Does it Come Together?  

To see what it looks like when put into a plan, check out the two example workouts below that have been extracted from a full program planned for four weeks. The first is aimed at a complete gym novice and the second targets the lower body of a moderately experienced gym the user (more than one year).

Click on the example workouts to make them larger.

Beginner

BEGINNER LEVEL 1.xlsx copy

Intermediate

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL 3.xlsx copy

You should now have the basic tools to be able to construct a gym program for yourself. Before you start, however, it’s a very good idea to seek professional advice. Remember these are rough and generic guidelines and might not apply directly to you.

Please feel free to ask questions in the comments section below and I will do my best to answer any queries. If you would like more specific information or a program more tailored to you then contact me directly through email — [email protected] — or check out what we have to offer at www.golffitapp.com.

Disclaimer: Always gain clearance for your training from a doctor or well-qualified exercise professional before commencement of an exercise regime.

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Nick Randall is a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Presenter and Rehab Expert contracted by PGA Tour Players, Division 1 colleges and national teams to deliver golf fitness services. Via his Golf Fit Pro website, app, articles and online training services, Nick offers the opportunity to the golfing world to access his unique knowledge and service offerings. www.golffitpro.net

9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. Pingback: Programming Your Fitness - The Golf Shop Online Blog

  2. James

    Nov 15, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    Living in Wisconsin and it being winter I started a custom program through him to get fit for next golf season. I have never been a “gym guy” but I absolutely love the workouts. The workouts have detailed instructions and are easy to follow. When I’m done I can feel it. I’m really looking forward to seeing how much I improve in 6 months with my strength,mobility and core strength as I have never been a gym person.

    • Pat

      Nov 16, 2014 at 11:32 am

      It’s going to take more than 6 months to see anything significant, buddy. But hey, it’s a starting point for someone who’s never been gym rat. Glad to see more people like you taking action and actually implementing a gym program for golf. I hope Nick also included a stretching program for you. If not, you should implement one as it is critical for mobility and injury prevention. Nothing exotic or crazy hard, just basic stretches for a minute for each muscle group is fine. Yoga stances are also very good as well but would be for a more advanced individual. Anyways, good luck and I hope you see some real results on the course once winter passes through.

      • James

        Nov 16, 2014 at 3:08 pm

        Without going into details I can tell you that there is a very indepth stretching incorporated in the workout. Being a ex semi pro Cyclist who has had a coach monitoring everything I ate, did on the bike and such, I am impressed with the details involved in the program.

        • James

          Nov 16, 2014 at 3:12 pm

          I have on my own been taking some yoga classes twice a week at the gym. Very tough some of the positions. I think Nick does a great job of putting the workout together for me. I am excited. I would believe for someone who doesn’t workout and has very little muscle mass from being small from cycling that I will see a significant increase in power in 6 months.

          Like you said it’s good to see people taking a active approach to improving fitness and decreasing the chances of injury.

      • James

        Nov 16, 2014 at 3:26 pm

        I have on my own been taking some yoga classes twice a week at the gym. Very tough some of the positions. I think Nick does a great job of putting the workout together for me. I am excited. I would believe for someone who doesn’t workout and has very little muscle mass from being small from cycling that I will see a significant increase in power in 6 months.
        Like you said it’s good to see people taking a active approach to improving fitness and decreasing the chances of injury.

        Read more at http://www.golfwrx.com/206601/how-to-write-your-own-golf-fitness-program/comment-page-1/#jPjcEmzfodTzIOZL.99

  3. Pat

    Nov 15, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    You forgot stretching which is a very critical part of flexibility and injury prevention. I have incorporated all the phases of training for golf mentioned in your program, plus stretching and I have gone from a 110mph swing all the way up to 133mph at one point. Used to do Japan’s long drive comps many years ago. Now I can still hit 122mph regularly. I also do more volume for strength training probably because of my bodybuilding backround. Overall a good basic article for training for golf. I understand that you don’t want to go into too many specifics because you charge people for that. I still commend you for at least getting the basic info out there for the general public out there that way they have a starting point.

    • Pat

      Nov 16, 2014 at 11:37 am

      Btw, I am a certified pt and have my ACE certification. I have also taken body biometrics, anatomy and other kinetic/exercises related classes in college. I have extensive knowledge especially when it comes to golf related exercise and bodybuilding. I have trained mini tour players, bodybuilders and highly regarded high school amateur golfers in the past. Anyone who is interested in my expertise can pm me through here. My screen name is phizzy30.

    • marcel

      Dec 3, 2014 at 12:03 am

      yeah the article touches the basics in the right way. I have improved my golf just by doing fitness program. but i kept doing the 1st one for 12 weeks and journaled progress. now I am almost 12 months with break only for 3 weeks so far… golf improved… lots of dead lifts, squats and single arm exercises.

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Clement: Stop ripping off your swing with this drill!

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Not the dreaded headcover under the armpit drill! As if your body is defective and can’t function by itself! Have you seen how incredible the human machine is with all the incredible feats of agility all kinds of athletes are accomplishing? You think your body is so defective (the good Lord is laughing his head off at you) that it needs a headcover tucked under the armpit so you can swing like T-Rex?

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How a towel can fix your golf swing

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This is a classic drill that has been used for decades. However, the world of marketed training aids has grown so much during that time that this simple practice has been virtually forgotten. Because why teach people how to play golf using everyday items when you can create and sell a product that reinforces the same thing? Nevertheless, I am here to give you helpful advice without running to the nearest Edwin Watts or adding something to your Amazon cart.

For the “scoring clubs,” having a solid connection between the arms and body during the swing, especially through impact, is paramount to creating long-lasting consistency. And keeping that connection throughout the swing helps rotate the shoulders more to generate more power to help you hit it farther. So, how does this drill work, and what will your game benefit from it? Well, let’s get into it.

Setup

You can use this for basic chip shots up to complete swings. I use this with every club in my bag, up to a 9 or 8-iron. It’s natural to create incrementally more separation between the arms and body as you progress up the set. So doing this with a high iron or a wood is not recommended.

While you set up to hit a ball, simply tuck the towel underneath both armpits. The length of the towel will determine how tight it will be across your chest but don’t make it so loose that it gets in the way of your vision. After both sides are tucked, make some focused swings, keeping both arms firmly connected to the body during the backswing and follow through. (Note: It’s normal to lose connection on your lead arm during your finishing pose.) When you’re ready, put a ball in the way of those swings and get to work.

Get a Better Shoulder Turn

Many of us struggle to have proper shoulder rotation in our golf swing, especially during long layoffs. Making a swing that is all arms and no shoulders is a surefire way to have less control with wedges and less distance with full swings. Notice how I can get in a similar-looking position in both 60° wedge photos. However, one is weak and uncontrollable, while the other is strong and connected. One allows me to use my larger muscles to create my swing, and one doesn’t. The follow-through is another critical point where having a good connection, as well as solid shoulder rotation, is a must. This drill is great for those who tend to have a “chicken wing” form in their lead arm, which happens when it becomes separated from the body through impact.

In full swings, getting your shoulders to rotate in your golf swing is a great way to reinforce proper weight distribution. If your swing is all arms, it’s much harder to get your weight to naturally shift to the inside part of your trail foot in the backswing. Sure, you could make the mistake of “sliding” to get weight on your back foot, but that doesn’t fix the issue. You must turn into your trial leg to generate power. Additionally, look at the difference in separation between my hands and my head in the 8-iron examples. The green picture has more separation and has my hands lower. This will help me lessen my angle of attack and make it easier to hit the inside part of the golf ball, rather than the over-the-top move that the other picture produces.

Stay Better Connected in the Backswing

When you don’t keep everything in your upper body working as one, getting to a good spot at the top of your swing is very hard to do. It would take impeccable timing along with great hand-eye coordination to hit quality shots with any sort of regularity if the arms are working separately from the body.

Notice in the red pictures of both my 60-degree wedge and 8-iron how high my hands are and the fact you can clearly see my shoulder through the gap in my arms. That has happened because the right arm, just above my elbow, has become totally disconnected from my body. That separation causes me to lift my hands as well as lose some of the extension in my left arm. This has been corrected in the green pictures by using this drill to reinforce that connection. It will also make you focus on keeping the lead arm close to your body as well. Because the moment either one loses that relationship, the towel falls.

Conclusion

I have been diligent this year in finding a few drills that target some of the issues that plague my golf game; either by simply forgetting fundamental things or by coming to terms with the faults that have bitten me my whole career. I have found that having a few drills to fall back on to reinforce certain feelings helps me find my game a little easier, and the “towel drill” is most definitely one of them.

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Clement: Why your practice swing never sucks

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You hear that one all the time; I wish I could put my practice swing on the ball! We explain the huge importance of what to focus on to allow the ball to be perfectly in the way of your practice swing. Enjoy!

 

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